Chiefs Beat Patriots: Key Stats and Turning Point

The Chiefs took down the Patriots 27-17 Sunday afternoon in Foxboro

The Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) got back in the win column after their 27-17 victory over the New England Patriots (3-11) on Sunday afternoon in Foxboro.

With the Denver Broncos dropping their game on Saturday to the Detroit Lions, the Chiefs now hold a two-game lead in the AFC West Division with three weeks left to play. The Chiefs are looking for their eighth-straight division title.

Here are Craig Stout (key stats) and Matty Lane’s (turning point) thoughts on the victory:

83.5 - Yards/Game for Rashee Rice in the last 4 Weeks

The Kansas City Chiefs offense – and specifically the wide receiver group – has been one of the most talked-about items of the season in the NFL.

They don’t look the same as they have before, and the receiving corps has continually made mistakes that has altered the ability to effectively run the offense. Those very same mistakes reared their heads again on Sunday against the New England Patriots, but the Chiefs were able to overcome them en route to 27 points that could have easily been more. While the focus is going to lie on Kadarius Toney’s performance (again) this week, I don’t want Rashee Rice’s effectiveness to go unnoticed.

After a 9 target, 9 reception, 91 yard, 1 touchdown game, Rice brought his totals in the last four games to 32 catches, 334 yards, and three touchdowns – good for 83.5 yards per game.

It’s clear that not only is Patrick Mahomes trusting him more, he’s also quickly becoming a major focal point of the offense alongside Travis Kelce. The offense is still struggling to play to the levels that they want to play, but Rice’s continued emergence throughout his rookie year has been one of the true bright spots in 2023.

Rice was not expected to be thrust into the top wide receiver role during the offseason, but the lack of others stepping up – and some veterans reverting – has left an opening for him to take. Since the team has given him those opportunities, the offense has flowed better, Mahomes looks more comfortable, and the Chiefs – despite the record – have been improved in most of their offensive metrics.

Rice is going to play a big role down the stretch for this team, but he has a legitimate chance at multiple Chiefs receiving records. He claimed the touchdown record against the Patriots, but by simply averaging what he has in the last four games to finish out the season, Rice would hold the receptions record and be the first 1,000 yard rookie receiver in Chiefs franchise history. Pretty good stuff.