Patriots-Chiefs Snaps & Grades: Another 2nd-Half Slip

Patriots Country breaks down the numbers and implications behind the Pats’ playing time in New England’s Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

FOXBORO — As the New England Patriots prepare to move forward from their 27-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15, they continue to take stock into their performance on both sides of the ball.

Despite logging their AFC-worst eleventh loss of the season, there are plenty of areas in which the Patriots will seek improvement. While game-film analysis will be the main focus, a look at playing time may assist the Pats in helping to devise effective strategies moving forward.

Here is a look at the Patriots offensive and defensive snap counts from Sunday’s loss, along with a grade for each positional group.

OFFENSE

On offense, the Pats overall snap count was 53 versus the Chiefs.

NFL Game Summary: New England Patriots vs. Kansas City Chiefs 17 Dec. 2023 - Offense Snaps / NFL Copyright © 2023 by The National Football League

QUARTERBACK

Bailey Zappe has proven himself to be quite an effective first-half quarterback. However, his second-half swoon has become so routine that he is likening himself to the football equivalent of Dark Knight nemesis Harvey Dent, a.k.a “Two-Face.” Overall, Zappe went 23-of-31 for 180 yards in Week 15. Much of Zappe’s production came in the first half, in which he completed 17 of 19 passes for 141 yards and an impressive 16-yard touchdown to tight end Hunter Henry. While the Pats 2024 fourth-rounder has proven himself to be a better playmaker than his predecessor, Mac Jones, he must improve his processing time to be an effective starter. In the face of pressure, Zappe frequently held the ball longer than he should, while having difficulty with both pre-and-post snap reads. Ultimately it led to a notable drop-off in production, highlighted by an ill-advised interception to Chiefs defensive back Willie Gay. 

Grade: C

RUNNING BACKS

While New England’s running game shined during their Week 14 win over the Steelers, the unit understandably regressed a bit. Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo entered the matchup determined to slow the Pats run game, and found some success doing so. Ezekiel Elliott gained only 25 yards on 11 carries while contributing five catches for just 21 yards. Overall, personnel issues along the offensive line (more on that in a moment) caused the veteran back to struggle, due to the o-line’s issues with pass protection and picking up the blitz. Second-year back Kevin Harris made the most of his first snaps of the season, by earning an 18-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. 

Grade: C+

New England Patriots QB Bailey Zappe / Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

RECEIVERS

The Pats receivers did not set the stat sheets ablaze. However, they were far from the team’s biggest problem on offense against the defending champs. Veteran DeVante Parker was caught all five passes on which he was targeted for 44 yards. Rookie Demario Douglas returned from concussion protocol and had three catches for 33 yards. However, his first-quarter face mask penalty derailed a promising drive in which the Pats had advanced deep into Kansas City territory. Tyquan Thornton chipped in only one catch for five yards, while Jalen Reagor did not catch his only target. 

Grade: C

TIGHT ENDS

Hunter Henry once again justified his spot as a focal point of the Patriots passing game bye catching seven passes for 66 yards and a touchdown on a well-executed corner route. Save for a holding penalty on tackle Conor McDermott wiping out his catch on a three-yard strike from Zappe, the Pats tight end should have had two touchdown receptions. Unfortunately, Henry left the game with a knee injury in the fourth quarter. The remaining tight ends were relatively quiet, with Mike Gesicki logging one catch for seven yards, while Pharaoh Brown caught a pass for four yards.

Grade: B+

OFFENSIVE LINE

With injuries having decimated nearly the entire left side of the line, providing a failing grade could be considered adding insult to injury. While the right side was effectively manned by tackle Mike Onwenu, guard Sidy Sow and center David Andres (each of which aligned on all 53 snaps,) the Pats lost Cole Strange due to a knee injury in the first half. At tackle, Conor McDermott — already laying in place of the injured Trent Brown — suffered a second half head injury. Both Strange and McDermott were replaced by rookie Atonio Mafi and journeyman Vederian Lowe, respectively. 

Still, the offensive line will need to atone for its sins as the Pats Week 16 matchup with the Denver Broncos draws closer. Zappe was sacked four times, while finding himself under pressure on 37.1 percent of his drop-backs. The Chiefs generated pressure on eight of their 14 blitzes, with three of Zappe’s absorbed sacks coming under duress. While injuries along the offensive line played a significant role in his difficulties, the issues in pass protection and inability to contain blitzing defenders were its biggest problems in Week 15. 

Grade: D-

DEFENSE

On offense, the Pats overall snap count was 65 versus the Chiefs.

NFL Game Summary: New England Patriots vs. Kansas City Chiefs 17 Dec. 2023 - Defense Snaps

DEFENSIVE LINE

Once again, the Patriots defensive line was its top performing unit in Week 15. The Pats held the Chiefs running game to only 43 yards rushing on 20 carries and a 2.2-yard per carry average — with Davon Godchaux and Lawrence Guy playing major roles. While Deatrich Wise contributed a sack and tackle-for-loss from the edge, Christian Barmore was once again a standout at defensive tackle. The Alabama product finished the game with six tackles (two, for loss) one sack, four quarterback pressures, and led the Pats’ defense with two run stuffs. His prowess in defending against the run, and the pass had helped the Pats interior perform at a high level for much of the season. 

Grade: A

LINEBACKERS

Despite some issues in defending the screen, the linebackers performed well against Kansas City’s offense. Anfernee Jennings led the positional group by earning five tackles, while team captain Ja’Whaun Bentley logged three. Jahlani Tavai also had three tackles, along with an fourth-quarter interception of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mack Wilson continued to demonstrate why he has been one of the Patriots most improved players with a key sack of Mahomes with time winding down. 

Rookie hybrid Marte Mapu earned arguably the play of the day when intercepting Mahomes on first-and-10 with just over seven minutes in the second quarter. With the game tied at seven, Mapu appeared to read Mahomes’ eyes and jumped on the check down. He demonstrated his versatility, penchant for finding the football and strength in snagging it away from his target, providing a preview of his potential usage in 2024 and beyond. 

Grade: A-

CORNERBACKS

The depth of New England’s cornerbacks was significantly thin for Week 15. Just moments before kickoff, veteran J.C. Jackson was unable to suit up due to a personal illness. As a result rookie Alex Austin was thrust into action against arguably the NFL’s best quarterback. Though Austin compiled three tackles, his two costly penalties provided the Chiefs with additional opportunities. Jonathan Jones was hobbled by a knee injury for much of the day, with Austin and veteran Myles Bryant being the only two healthy options at the position. In spite of the upheaval caused by injuries, the unit did a serviceable job in keeping Mahomes form feasting on an obvious area of vulnerability. 

Grade: C

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SAFETIES

Per usual, Kyle Dugger was only of only two Patriots defenders to align for all 65 snaps. The Lenoir-Rhyne product also co-led the team with seven total tackles, along with fellow safety Jabrill Peppers. In conjunction with the linebackers, the Pats safeties were able to hold Chiefs tight end While they helped limit Travis Kelce to just five catches for 28 yards. The efforts of this group once again helped to keep the Pats secondary playing at a respectable level in Week 15. 

Grade: B

SPECIAL TEAMS

New England’s special teams woes continued in Week 15, with untimely miscues derailing potentially productive moments for the team’s struggling offense. On the Pats opening kickoff, Brendan Schooler negated what would have been a 46-yard return by receiver/returner Jalen Reagor by committing a holding penalty. It was the core special teamer’s fifth penalty of the season.

On their next offensive drive, rookie Chad Ryland missed a 41-yard field goal which sailed wide and to the left. The Eastern Michigan product has now made only 13 of 20 attempts this season, with five of his seven misses coming from less than 49 yards. While Ryland later connected on a 25-yarder to give the Pats a 10-7 lead, his issues with consistency have led to understandable hesitation in trusting him to make kicks when needed most.

Grade: D

Up Next:

The Pats will travel west to the Rockies for a Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) matchup with the Denver Broncos (7-7) at Empower Field at Mile High.