At halftime: Trick plays for both teams in New England as Chiefs ride defense to lead
Tricks were part of the Chiefs’ 20-7 halftime lead at New England, with each team getting into the end zone on a gadget play.
Tight end Travis Kelce took a direct snap from the Patriots 4, ran a beautiful play fake to Tyreek Hill, also lined up in the backfield, and followed his blocking into the end zone for a 17-7 lead with 9:37 remaining.
The score followed a Bashaud Breeland interception of Tom Brady that set up the Chiefs at the Patriots’ 35.
Kelce, whose 20-yard reception got the Chiefs to the 4, scored on third down. It was the first rushing touchdown of his seven-year career.
This is the fourth meeting between the teams since 2017 and the first time the Chiefs have led at halftime. The Chiefs won the opening game in 2017 and lost twice to the Patriots last season.
The Chiefs rolled up 249 yards of total offense in the first half. The Patriots allow 258 yards per game.
Pats deceptive first
Pass interference calls on the game’s first two third-down snaps kept the Patriots’ drive alive, and the Chiefs’ secondary completed the failed first series by biting on a flea-flicker that resulted in Brady’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman.
Last week, the Chiefs weren’t penalized in a game for the third time in team history and the first time since 1974.
But after that rough start, the defense and special teams rallied. After Patrick Mahomes threw an interception, the Patriots took over at the KC 40, but the defense forced a three-and-out and punt.
Field goals have been an issue for the Patriots all season and the Chiefs made sure that continued when Tanoh Kpassagnon blasted through to block Nick Folk’s 41-yard attempt. The Patriots have been through four kickers this season.
That’s the second straight week Kpassagnon blocked a field goal attempt.
The Chiefs’ defense was solid throughout the half. Over a five-possession stretch, the Patriots’ drives ended with a punt, the blocked field goal, Breeland’s pick, a loss of downs and a punt.
Mahomes’ hand
Mahomes seemed to be favoring his right hand after a fall in the first quarter. He was rubbing it after plays. But after getting checked on the sideline, Mahomes gave a thumb’s up and didn’t miss a snap. He finished the first half.
It certainly didn’t bother him on a 48-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman. The Patriots brought pressure and Hardman slipped behind the defense. He had to wait on the rainbow pass, but Hardman had created enough space that the speedster wasn’t going to get caught motoring to the end zone.
The play gave the Chiefs at 10-7 lead and according to CBS marked the first time the Patriots had trailed at home since Week 6 in 2018, also against the Chiefs. The Patriots won that game 43-40.
The Chiefs get the ball to start the second half.
This story was originally published December 8, 2019 at 5:03 PM.