How the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes beat the Patriots to end losing ...

Nate Taylor, Chad Graff and The Athletic NFL staff

December 17, 2023 at 4:10 PM EST

Perhaps the biggest surprise for the Chiefs’ offense was the supportive contributions of running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Starting in place of Isiah Pacheco, who had surgery this week on his right shoulder — the same injury the required surgery this past offseason — Edwards-Helaire produced his best performance of the season.

Edwards-Helaire finished with 101 all-purpose yards on 17 touches. His best play occurred in the third quarter, when he improvised in the end zone while quarterback Patrick Mahomes ad-libbed outside of the pocket, the play resulting in a 6-yard touchdown completion.

The fourth-year running back finished the play by making Kansas City's best high-point catch of the season, as he elevated over linebacker Jahlani Tavai to make the reception in the back of the end zone.

Once again, the Chiefs’ defense wasn’t put in the best situations against the Patriots’ offense. Ten of New England's 17 points were the byproduct of giveaways by Kansas City’s offense, two interceptions that were more about the pass catcher — tight end Blake Bell and receiver Kadarius Toney — than the quarterback.

But the Chiefs’ defense was solid throughout the second half to limit the Patriots to just 3.3 yards on 16 rushing attempts. Quarterback Bailey Zappe was sacked four times and was intercepted by linebacker Willie Gay, a play early in the third quarter that helped the Kansas City build a commanding lead.

Each of these final games will be viewed through the lens of what it means for the future of Bill Belichick. And with each passing loss, Sunday’s the latest, a parting of the ways seems more and more likely for the Patriots and Belichick.

This game was supposed to be on primetime, but got flexed out of Monday Night Football to avert the eyes of the nation from watching New England. Now, on this day, Belichick had to watch the team that’s the biggest threat to becoming the next dynasty after his Patriots come away with a 10-point win even without playing well.

New England's offense is still a problem. Perhaps that’s no surprise 14 games into the season.

But second-half struggles continued once again as they managed only 57 yards on 22 plays in the second half. Bailey Zappe is playing better than Mac Jones did, but that’s not enough for this group. They need a massive influx of talent this offseason.

After the failed attempt on fourth-and-goal from the 7-yard line, the Patriots fall to 9-for-22 (40.9 percent) on fourth down this season. That’s the fourth-worst rate in the NFL.

New England hadn’t failed to score on fourth-and-goal since Week 8 of 2021 against the Chargers.

The Kadarius Toney hijinks continue as a Patrick Mahomes pass goes right through his hands, pops up into the air and is intercepted by Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai.

Running back Kevin Harris scampers 18 yards for a New England touchdown and it's 27-17 Kansas City with 8:24 remaining.

After the latest three-and-out, the Patriots’ fourth of the day, New England has one first down on its last six drives.

In its four offensive possessions of the third quarter, New England totaled 12 net yards of offense. Bailey Zappe, so hot in the first half, went 3-for-6 passing for 22 yards with an interception, a fumble and two sacks.

Chiefs extend their lead on a 54-yard FG by Harrison Butker, his fourth make in four tries from 50-plus yards this season.

Kansas City has outscored the Patriots 20-3 since the teams were tied 7-7 late in the second quarter.

After tying the game 7-7 on a 10-play, 61-yard touchdown drive, it’s been tough sledding for the Patriots’ offense. The four drives since:

After a sparkling first half that saw him go 17-of-19 for 141 and a touchdown, Bailey Zappe starts the second half with a brutal interception. Scrambling to his right, Zappe's pass is picked off by Kansas City linebacker Willie Gay and returned to the New England 7-yard line.

Patrick Mahomes immediately makes the Patriots pay, hitting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire for a leaping 6-yard touchdown. All of a sudden, the Chiefs lead 24-10 less than six minutes into the third quarter.

Two massive penalties against the Patriots today.

A Conor McDermott holding wiped a touchdown off the board.

And now an Alex Austin holding takes away a Chiefs fumble.

The Chiefs take a 14-10 lead on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Jerick McKinnon.

McKinnon now has 13 touchdown catches since the start of last season, three more than any other running back in the NFL.

That was a much-needed interception for Marte Mapu. The third-round pick was one of the team’s best players in training camp, but a few mistakes meant Bill Belichick limited Mapu’s playing time.

A trying rookie season had resulted in Mapu playing just 17 percent of defensive snaps entering this game. But in the second quarter, he wrestled away an interception of Patrick Mahomes, which set up the Patriots for a go-ahead field goal.

New England leads the Chiefs, 10-7 late in the first half.

On back-to-back drives, Chiefs right guard Trey Smith allows a sack and then gives up the pressure that leads to quarterback Patrick Mahomes throwing a 50-50 ball in the middle of the field that is intercepted by Patriots rookie safety Marte Mapu.

If Mahomes had time, he could've thrown a deep pass to receiver Justin Watson, who appeared to be in a one-on-one matchup on the outside.

New England rookie safety Marte Mapu muscles the ball away from Kansas City receiver Blake Bell for his first career interception. The Patriots are back in business inside the Chiefs' 10-yard line.

Patrick Mahomes has now thrown an interception in three-straight games.

The Patriots must have needed more donuts and coffee today because Bailey Zappe is (Dinkin' and) Dunkin'!

The second-year quarterback leads New England 61 yards in 10 plays — seven of which were Zappe passes — and hits Hunter Henry for a 16-yard touchdown. It is 7-7 in Foxboro.

Zappe is 16-for-18 passing for 135 yards and the score.

Patriots QB Bailey Zappe went 14-of-21 for 196 yards and three touchdowns in the first half of last week’s win over the Steelers.

After the TD pass to Hunter Henry, Zappe has completed 16-of-18 passes for 135 yards today and a TD today.