Final score: Chiefs pull away late, beat Patriots 26-10

The New England Patriots were riding the momentum late in the third quarter. Then a play made by an unsung hero changed the complexion of the game.

On the Kansas City Chiefs’ 10-yard line trailing 6-3, New England quarterback Brian Hoyer dropped back, and defensive end Taco Charlton — the former first-rounder thrown away by Dallas and Miami — came around the left edge, sacking Hoyer and forcing him to fumble. Linebacker Ben Niemann dove on the ball.

Mahomes then connected with tight end Travis Kelce for 45 yards to get the Chiefs into New England territory, and wide receiver Tyreek Hill scored on a 6-yard pass to give the Chiefs a 13-3 lead.

Down two scores, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick benched starter Brian Hoyer for 2019 fourth-rounder Jarret Stidham. Hoyer earned the replacement start after Cam Newton tested positive for coronavirus this week.

A defensive pass interference call on Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu brought New England to the 8-yard line, and Stidham scored a touchdown on his second pass of the game, a 4-yarder to wide receiver N’Keal Henry.

The Patriots took defensive pass interference and unnecessary roughness penalties on the next drive, aiding Patrick Mahomes as he marched 75 yards down the field to take back control of the game. Wide receiver Mecole Hardman motioned around before the snap, and Mahomes flicked it to him six yards for the score and 19-10 lead. Mathieu then picked Stiidham off and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown of his own.

Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton intercepted Stidham on the ensuing possession to seal the game. Mahomes finished 19 of 29 for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

Both offenses were stifled in the first half, leading to a 6-3 score in favor of the Chiefs heading into the locker room. The Patriots had an opportunity to score in the closing seconds of the second quarter. Out of timeouts and facing third-and-9 at the Kansas City 13-yard line, Hoyer dropped back and he was sacked by Frank Clark — his third of the season.

Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill intercepted Hoyer in the second quarter, but Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore punched the ball out of wide receiver Sammy Watkins’ hands on the following drive. The Chiefs totaled three interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery on the night.

Injuries

• Defensive end Mike Danna left midway through the second quarter with a hamstring injury.

Special teams

• The Chiefs put wide receiver Tyreek Hill back to receive a punt midway through the first quarter.
• Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker was good from 23 and 39 early, but he missed an extra point for the second week in a row.

Rapid reaction

• The game’s rapid reaction will be posted to our homepage shortly.

Statistics