Patriots head coach Bill Belichick didn’t have an opening statement today during his postgame news conference, which is rare. Belichick declined to get into what happened with CB JC Jackson. Why was he active but not even on the team’s sideline?
Belichick: “He wasn’t available. I’ll just leave it at that.” 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.
