Last night was the first NFL game of the season, as the New England Patriots faced-off against the Kansas City Chiefs at home in Foxborough. The Patriots were heavily favored to win since most pegged them as the best team in the league going into the season. It also helps that Brady and Belichick are 8-0 at home in season openers and 4-0 in season openers after winning the Super Bowl.
What happened in the first half
The Patriots marched down the field on their opening driving, with new running back Mike Gillislee capping off the 9 play, 73-yard drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown.
On the Chiefs' first play rookie running back Kareem Hunt fumbled on his first NFL carry, after never having done so in college.
It then looked like New England would take a commanding two touchdown lead by the Chiefs stuffed them on fourth-and-one at the ten-yard line. Kansas City then had a 90-yard touchdown drive, which the Patriots answered with a field goal. The Chiefs then went three and out, with New England marching down the field for another Gillislee touchdown.
This seemed like it would not bode well for the Chiefs since the Patriots are 90-1 when leading by 10+ at home since 2001. However, the Chiefs went down and had a 92-yard drive, capping it with a three-yard touchdown pass to Hunt to make it 17 to 10 at halftime.
From 2013-16, the Patriots allowed 0 90-yard TD drives at home ...
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017
The Chiefs had 2 90-yard TD drives in the 1st half tonight.
Patriots have won 87 straight home games when leading at halftime (last loss: Dec. 24, 2000 vs Dolphins)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017
Chiefs take control in the second half
The Chiefs took the lead early in the second half as Tyreek Hill hauled in a 75-yard touchdown catch, making him the first player in NFL history to have a 60+ yard touchdown in five straight games.
New England would then counter with a third Gillislee rushing touchdown to retake the lead 24-21. They would then add a field goal with nine seconds left in the quarter to make it 27-21.
Mike Gillislee and Rob Gronkowski (2015) are the only players in Patriots history with 3 TD in a season opener.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017
Alex Smith 75-Yard passing touchdowns, per @ESPNStatsInfo:
— Chris Sprow (@SprowESPN) September 8, 2017
2005-16: 2
Tonight: 2
On the Chiefs' first drive of the fourth quarter, Kareem Hunt exploded for a 78-yard rushing touchdown, as they retook the lead.
Kansas City then shut down Tom Brady for the rest of the game, with Hunt later adding another touchdown to make it 35-27. Backup running back Charcandrick West then added a 21-yard touchdown to put the game away, making it 42-27.
Alex Smith had arguably the best game of his career, going 28/35 (80%) for 368 yards and four touchdowns. It was only the eighth game of his career with over 300 passing yards and his second game with at least four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Kareem Hunt amassed 246 total yards, the most ever by a player in his debut, with three touchdowns.
150 scrimmage yards + 2 TD catches in NFL debut (since 1970)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017
Kareem Hunt
Anquan Boldin (2003 Cardinals)
Louis Lipps (1984 Steelers)
Kareem Hunt: 3rd player since 1970 with 150 scrimmage yards and 3 TD in NFL debut
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017
Others:
Marshall Faulk (1994)
Billy Sims (1980) pic.twitter.com/wWann6Sj78
The 42 points New England allowed is the most ever given up by a Bill Belichick-coached Patriots team.
It was also the most points the Patriots have given up since 1993 and the most at home since 1984. The 537 total yards that they allowed was the most ever by any Belichick-coached team and the most given up by the Patriots since 1986. Kansas City also became the first AFC team to defeat Tom Brady with him playing the entire game since the New York Jets in Week 10 of 2006.