The New England Patriots put up a valiant fight against the Kansas City Chiefs, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to upset the defending Super Bowl champions on Sunday.
There were some clear similarities to this week and the Patriots’ stunning win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.
The offense came out firing on all cylinders in the first half and then crashed into a wall for the last two quarters of the game. It wasn’t a perfect effort defensively, but the unit did do enough to give the Patriots a fighting chance in this game.
Perhaps the only difference was Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense consistently putting up points on the scoreboard. Even after stalled drives, they still found a way to march down the field and score points when they really needed it. That wasn’t the case for Bailey Zappe and the Patriots, unfortunately.
Here are the studs and duds from the game:
K Chad Ryland: DUD
Chad Ryland was already on thin ice entering this game considering he has missed back-to-back 35-yard field goals in losses to the Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants. Even coach Bill Belichick admitted the rookie fourth-round draft pick hasn’t been good enough.
Yet, Ryland missed another field goal in Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. This time, the rookie fourth-round draft pick whiffed on a 41-yarder that kept points off the board in the first half.
Chad Ryland missed his seventh kick of the season, and you can tell Bailey Zappe was bummed. pic.twitter.com/vCMFy7udcz
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) December 17, 2023
The Patriots held a workout for multiple kickers back in November, and they could look to make a change after Ryland’s latest miss.
LB/S Marte Mapu: STUD
Patriots rookie linebacker/safety Marte Mapu might be one of the team’s best-kept secrets.
He finally made a play on the big stage against the defending Super Bowl champions by picking off Patrick Mahomes for his first career interception.
Marte Mapu intercepts Mahomes and returns it inside the 10!
📺: #KCvsNE on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/KdBjTbQyr2— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
Mapu could be one of the key foundational defensive players for the Patriots’ inevitable rebuild. He’s a versatile playmaker that can play at both linebacker and safety.
It was only a matter of time before he made an impact.
TE Hunter Henry: STUD
There was no doubt that Hunter Henry was Bailey Zappe’s favorite receiving target against the Chiefs. The veteran tight end served as a safety blanket for the second-year signal-caller in ways he used to serve for Mac Jones back in 2021.
He hauled in a team-high seven receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown in the loss.
Zappe to Henry and it's tied!
📺: #KCvsNE on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/wXczNaw221— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
Henry is making a case for an extension in 2024. All three of the Patriots’ tight ends, including Henry, Pharaoh Brown and Mike Gesicki are playing on expiring deals.
It would make sense to bring back Henry and use him to bridge the gap for the Patriots finally settling on a long-term answer at the position.
WR Jalen Reagor: STUD
The Patriots need to consider letting Jalen Reagor return kicks permanently.
He showed the sudden burst and explosiveness that made him a first-round pick three years ago. Granted, things haven’t gone exactly as planned at the receiver position, but Reagor is still a threat to make a play every time he has the ball in his hands.
Nice 39 yard kickoff return by Jalen Reagor #Patriots pic.twitter.com/IYfLoTwV23
— Video from: @TSV__1 (@TSV__1) December 17, 2023
Coach Bill Belichick has always been great at putting players in position to be successful. Reagor stepping into the role as the primary kick returner for the Patriots could give him new life in the NFL.
RB Kevin Harris: STUD
The Patriots never got their running game going with Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield for this game, but they did manage to strike up a spark when giving an opportunity to reserve running back Kevin Harris.
After finally getting on the field, the second-year rusher exploded out of the backfield with three carries for 21 yards and a touchdown.
With Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined with an ankle injury, the Patriots could benefit greatly from getting Harris more involved on offense. Elliott has been solid for the most part, but he would be even better with a reliable secondary option to serve as a one-two punch in games. Harris did enough on Sunday to show he could potentially be that guy.
S Kyle Dugger: DUD
It isn’t often that Kyle Dugger makes the dud list, but his disappointing effort at times in this game made it unavoidable. Look, no one is ever going to question Dugger’s intensity as a powerful downhill defender. He is fast, explosive and one of the best tacklers on the team.
But it’s also becoming hard to hide the fact that he has looked like a liability in pass coverage at times. He needed to be better against an offense that leaned heavily on Patrick Mahomes creating extra time in the pocket and connecting on unscripted throws downfield.
This was easily one of his least impressive games of the season.
LB Josh Uche: STUD
Josh Uche’s name didn’t show up much on the stat sheet, but he was clearly making the sort of game-changing plays that typically go unnoticed.
Whenever he was freed up to pursue Patrick Mahomes, his speed was clearly a problem for the signal-caller, who had to get rid of the ball quicker than he would have liked at times.
Powerful pass rush from Josh Uche on that third-down stop pic.twitter.com/a77AHbFkzF
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) December 17, 2023
No one ever questioned Uche’s ability to rush the passer. It’s more about his issues getting home consistently enough against his target, along with his struggles on early downs. However, against an otherworldly quarterback like Mahomes, speeding up a play and forcing him to be uncomfortable can impact the game like a sack.
Offensive line: DUD
It was another tough day for the Patriots’ offensive line against a really good Chiefs defense. Injuries have obviously been the biggest issue for the unit’s struggles this season.
On Sunday, they lost backup left tackle Conor McDermott to a head injury and starting guard Cole Strange to a knee injury. So it should have come as no surprise that the offensive line struggled to keep defenders off quarterback Bailey Zappe in the game.
It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is in New England if the Patriots can’t fix their issues along the offensive front. It’s a trouble spot area that needs to be reassessed across the board in 2024.
DT Christian Barmore: STUD
Christian Barmore has been a game-wrecker along the defensive front for the Patriots this season, and that remained the case in Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.
He came away with six tackles in total, one sack and two tackles for a loss. His ability to stay healthy and get a full season under his belt has helped him unlock his game in ways the Patriots have hoped for since drafting him.
There is no question that Barmore has perennial All-Pro and Pro Bowl potential if he stays on the path he’s currently on right now.
QB Bailey Zappe: DUD
Bailey Zappe doesn’t get off without criticism this time around.
This is the second game in a row the offense completely floundered in the second half. Granted, he obviously had things working against him in this matchup, including the banged-up offensive line and lack of receiving weapons.
But after a strong start to the first half, the offense went back to stinking in the last two quarters with Zappe under center. That stench is becoming too common in New England these days. After opening the first half of the game going 17-of-19 for 141 yards and one touchdown, Zappe finished the game with only 180 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
