WATCH: New England Patriots Lead Kansas City Chiefs on Bailey Zappe TD Pass

The New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs are off to a fast start in their Week 15 matchup at Gillette Stadium.

FOXBORO — The New England Patriots have shaken some early sputters to light the scoreboard in their favor for the first time in their Week 15 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. 

Already facing a 7-0 deficit late in the first quarter, quarterback Bailey Zappe led his team on a scoring drive. Sparked by a 15-yard completion to tight end Hunter Henry, Zappe found some offensive rhythm. The Pats second-year passer then found reciever DeVante Parker for a 19-yard gain, taking them to the 19-yard line. Zappe capped the drive on fourth-and-1 with a 16-yard touchdown strike to Hunter Henry.

New England has since taken the lead, 10-7.

The 4 to 85 connection is back.@baileyzappe04 | @Hunter_Henry84

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/wW8yHeOhQQ

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 17, 2023

However, the drive would not be without its cost. Pats offensive lineman Cole Strange left the game via the cart with what appeared to be a lower leg injury. His status for the remainder of the game appears to be in serious doubt. 

New England Patriots QB Bailey Zappe / Cred: USA Today Images

With Grammy award winners Taylor Swift and Jon Bovi in attendance, the Pats and the Chiefs are meeting for the first time since 2020.  The Chiefs took a 26-10 victory in that game, which was moved from Sunday to Monday during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ironically, Sunday’s game also experienced a change in date, having been originally scheduled for Monday night. As such, the Patriots earned the inauspicious distinction of being the first team to be displaced from their spot on Monday Night Football.

Patriots vs Chiefs: LIVE Updates From Week 15 Showdown

The Patriots (3-10) entered this game on the heels of a 21-18 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Conversely, the Chiefs (8-5) suffered a hard-luck 20-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. 

The Pats are without the services of receivers Kayshon Boutte (healthy scratch) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) as well starting left tackle Trent Brown (ankle/hand/illness) — who were all declared inactive for this matchup. Kansas City’s top running back Isiah Pacheco was also sidelined due to a shoulder injury.  

---