5. Chiefs Extend Lead Twice, Quickly
Kansas City maintained their momentum into the second half and used the same formula with big plays and third-down conversions. On their first play of the second half, Mahomes hit Rashee Rice for 23 yards and things were off and running. They’d convert another third down, picking up 11 yards when they needed 10 on a crossing route by Rice. Then, Rice would add 17 more yards on another reception that took KC all the way to New England’s 14-yard line, but the Patriots defense would stiffen inside the red zone, holding three plays designed for Travis Kelce in check.
The Chiefs settled for a field goal that made it 17-10, and they’d quickly get another chance to add to the lead as Bailey Zappe immediately threw a first-down interception that put the Chiefs right back at the Pats seven-yard line. They’d score on another late-in-the-down throw by Mahomes perfectly placed to Clyde Edwards-Helaire for another score.
KC would add another field goal after the Patriots third three-and-out of the game, this one a 54-yarder by Butker to make it 27-10. The drive included plays of 17 and 20 yards, as KC went 39 yards in six plays for their fourth-straight scoring drive as the Chiefs ran away with it.
New England had taken a 10-7 lead in the second quarter but ran just two plays from that point until 9:22 in the third quarter, suddenly finding themselves down 24-10 that only got worse. That’s what big plays and turnovers can do and how quickly they can swing the complexion of a game.