Kansas City Chiefs leave no doubt they’re ready to contend in beating Patriots
The Kansas City Chiefs ended the Patriots’ 21-game winning streak in Foxborough and left no question how legitimate of a contender this team is.
After Patrick Mahomes won MVP in his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs starter and led Andy Reid‘s team to the AFC Championship Game, they entered the 2019 NFL season with the label of contenders. But after an 8-4 start as they entered a Week 14 matchup against the team they lost to in the AFC title game, the New England Patriots, the jury was still out on the visitors from Arrowhead.
With 60 minutes in Gillette Stadium now in the books on Sunday, the jury has reached a verdict: The Kansas City Chiefs are the contenders we thought they were.
In the simplest of terms, Kansas City went on the road and won in one of the toughest environments in sports against a Patriots team that was 10-2 on the year entering Week 14. Furthermore, this was the first time any team has come to Foxborough and beaten New England in nearly two-dozen tries, having won 21 straight at home prior to Sunday.
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However, the way that the Chiefs were able to secure the victory was every bit as impressive as the win itself. The game started with Mahomes under heavy pressure and the Patriots stout defense forcing mistakes, including an interception. The quarterback and the offense regrouped quickly, though, shoring up the protection and Mahomes getting in the zone.
Mahomes’ ability to recover and finish the day going 26-of-40 for 283 yards and a touchdown (with the pick) showcases the maturity of the reigning MVP. He didn’t let the hostile environment against one of the league’s best defenses get to him, stepping up and making plays from the moment he threw the interception on. Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman (for one play at least) chipped in for that cause as well.
On top of that, the Chiefs defense played one of their best games of the 2019 season. Yes, the Patriots offense has had their struggles lately. However, even mediocre-to-bad offenses have found ways to dice up Kansas City previously this season but that was not to be on Sunday.
Kansas City held Tom Brady to just a hair over 50 percent completion rate (19-of-36) for only 169 yards, including an interception off the legendary signal-caller. Moreover, the porous run defense didn’t allow a running back to get more than 33 yards individually and held the entire Pats run game to only 94 yards on 22 carries.
And let’s not forget perhaps the biggest play of the game as cornerback Bashaud Breeland made a beautiful pass breakup on Julian Edelman to end a potential game-tying drive by New England in the final two minutes.
This was the exact game you needed to see from the Chiefs to believe they can make a Super Bowl run. We know what this offense can be in the most ideal conditions. But when they aren’t able to move the ball at will and when the defense needs to make stops and plays, there were concerns about how Reid’s club would fare.
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Against the defending Super Bowl champions in Gillette Stadium, the Chiefs rose the occasion and delivered — clinching the AFC West in the process, no less. And if you thought this team was overhyped after their 8-4 start, this game should be enough to make you think again. When the playoffs roll around, there’s no one that wants to see Kansas City.