Game story
In Week 1 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-09-07, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Kansas City Chiefs, pulling away with a 17–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Cassel (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +7.67 total EPA, and +8.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Cassel (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.67 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+20.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-D.Huard pass deep right to 81-D.Darling to NE 5 for 68 yards (21-D.O'Neal) [37-R.Harrison].
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| New England Patriots | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Cassel · New England Patriots · Passing · +7.67 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
- 2 D. Bowe · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +7.62 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
- 3 R. Moss · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.60 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
- 4 T. Gonzalez · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +5.59 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
- 5 D. Darling · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +4.99 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.99 EPA/play
- 6 D. Thomas · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.03 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
- 7 J. Charles · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +1.53 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
- 8 L. Johnson · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.39 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Cassel — NE · Passing
M. Cassel posted the highest total EPA (+7.67) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New England Patriots's efficiency. Across 22 counted snaps, they averaged +0.35 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.21 EPA) came from New England Patriots: (12:18) (No Huddle) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 83-W.Welker to KC 40 for -2 yards (23-P.Surtain). FUMBLES (23-P.Surtain), RECOVERED by KC-44-J.Page at KC 40. 44-J.Page pushed ob at KC 48 for 8 yards (81-R.Moss).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New England Patriots — R. Moss (M. Cassel pass)
- New England Patriots — S. Morris
- Kansas City Chiefs — D. Bowe (D. Huard pass)
Field goals
- Kansas City Chiefs — N. Novak
- New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–3. New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 10 (Q2 41:49); New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q2 41:45) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the NE 22 (Q2 30:22) — (:22) 9-N.Novak 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..
The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 5 (Q3 18:05) — (3:05) 34-S.Morris right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q3 18:01) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson..
The fourth quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 7–3. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 13 (Q4 13:11) — (13:11) 11-D.Huard pass short left to 82-D.Bowe for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 13:06) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the KC 19 (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) 3-S.Gostkowski 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 1:09) — (1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-D.Huard pass deep right to 81-D.Darling to NE 5 for 68 yards (21-D.O'Neal) [37-R.Harrison].
- New England Patriots (Q1 57:18) — (12:18) (No Huddle) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 83-W.Welker to KC 40 for -2 yards (23-P.Surtain). FUMBLES (23-P.Surtain), RECOVERED by KC-44-J.Page at KC 40. 44-J.Page pushed ob at KC 48 for 8 yard
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 0:40) — (:40) (Shotgun) 11-D.Huard pass incomplete short right to 82-D.Bowe.
- New England Patriots (Q1 45:21) — (:21) 16-M.Cassel pass deep right to 81-R.Moss to KC 48 for 51 yards (23-P.Surtain, 47-J.McGraw). NE 81-Moss now has (13,014) career receiving yards, passing Jimmy Smith for 13th all-time. NE 81-Moss
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 7:29) — (7:29) 11-D.Huard pass deep middle intended for 82-D.Bowe INTERCEPTED by 27-E.Hobbs at KC 41. 27-E.Hobbs to KC 38 for 3 yards (82-D.Bowe). PENALTY on NE, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at K
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New England Patriots (Q1 57:18) — (12:18) (No Huddle) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 83-W.Welker to KC 40 for -2 yards (23-P.Surtain). FUMBLES (23-P.Surtain), RECOVERED by KC-44-J.Page at KC 40. 44-J.Page pushed ob at KC 48 for 8 yard
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 1:09) — (1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-D.Huard pass deep right to 81-D.Darling to NE 5 for 68 yards (21-D.O'Neal) [37-R.Harrison].
- New England Patriots (Q1 45:21) — (:21) 16-M.Cassel pass deep right to 81-R.Moss to KC 48 for 51 yards (23-P.Surtain, 47-J.McGraw). NE 81-Moss now has (13,014) career receiving yards, passing Jimmy Smith for 13th all-time. NE 81-Moss
- New England Patriots (Q2 41:49) — (11:49) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 81-R.Moss for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 81-Moss 126th career TD, tying Jim Brown for 8th all-time. 125th career TD reception, 4th all-time.
Quarterback report card
M.Cassel led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Cassel (New England Patriots) · 22 dropbacks · 59.1% completion · +8.1% CPOE · +0.35 EPA/play · +7.67 total EPA
- B.Croyle (Kansas City Chiefs) · 20 dropbacks · 55.0% completion · -2.5% CPOE · -0.11 EPA/play · -2.26 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Kansas City Chiefs | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.030 | +0.057 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.2% | 49.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.069 | -0.026 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.076 | -0.038 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.057 | +0.030 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.7% | 61.8% |
By the numbers
New England Patriots held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.03), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Kansas City Chiefs: 10 drives, -2.24 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- New England Patriots: 11 drives, +4.19 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- M. Cassel (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- M. Cassel (NE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 41:49 · KC 10 · Score 0-6
(11:49) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 81-R.Moss for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 81-Moss 126th career TD, tying Jim Brown for 8th all-time. 125th career - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 41:45 · KC 2 · Score 0-7
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson. - Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 30:22 · NE 22 · Score 3-7
(:22) 9-N.Novak 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 18:05 · KC 5 · Score 3-13
(3:05) 34-S.Morris right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 18:01 · KC 2 · Score 3-14
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson. - Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 13:11 · NE 13 · Score 9-14
(13:11) 11-D.Huard pass short left to 82-D.Bowe for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 13:06 · NE 2 · Score 10-14
9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-51-J.Darche, Holder-2-D.Colquitt. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 2:30 · KC 19 · Score 10-17
(2:30) 3-S.Gostkowski 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Kansas City Chiefs vs New England Patriots?
The New England Patriots beat the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in Week 1, 2008 on 2008-09-07.
What was the final score of Kansas City Chiefs vs New England Patriots?
The final score was Kansas City Chiefs 10, New England Patriots 17 (KC 10-17 NE) in Week 1, 2008 on 2008-09-07.
What was the score by quarter in Kansas City Chiefs vs New England Patriots?
Q2: Kansas City Chiefs 3, New England Patriots 7; Q3: Kansas City Chiefs 0, New England Patriots 7; Q4: Kansas City Chiefs 7, New England Patriots 3; Final: Kansas City Chiefs 10, New England Patriots 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Kansas City Chiefs vs New England Patriots?
New England Patriots touchdown — R. Moss (M. Cassel pass) (Q2 41:49) New England Patriots touchdown — S. Morris (Q3 18:05) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — D. Bowe (D. Huard pass) (Q4 13:11) Kansas City Chiefs field goal — N. Novak (Q2 30:22, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q4 2:30, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Kansas City Chiefs vs New England Patriots?
M. Cassel (New England Patriots), 59.1% completion, +8.1% CPOE, +0.35 EPA per dropback, +7.67 total passing EPA. B. Croyle (Kansas City Chiefs), 55.0% completion, -2.5% CPOE, -0.11 EPA per dropback, -2.26 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Kansas City Chiefs vs New England Patriots?
M. Cassel (New England Patriots) led the game in total EPA with +7.67 on passing plays. across 22 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.21 EPA): (12:18) (No Huddle) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 83-W.Welker to KC 40 for -2 yards (23-P.Surtain). FUMBLES (23-P.Surtain), RECOVERED by KC-44-J.Page at KC 40. 44-J.Page pushed ob. The biggest win-probability swing was +20.4%.
Was Kansas City Chiefs vs New England Patriots a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. New England Patriots won 17-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Kansas City Chiefs
Now 0-1 L
New England Patriots
Now 1-0 W
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