Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots: 2018 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-10-14, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Kansas City Chiefs, pulling away with a 43–40 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 30 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +8.97 total EPA, and +4.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Hill (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.58 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+28.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (3:15) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 10-T.Hill for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Hill · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +9.58 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +8.97 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Hunt · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +8.37 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
4. 4 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +7.78 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Hunt · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +3.98 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Hogan · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.90 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
7. 7 S. Michel · New England Patriots · Rushing · +3.81 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.60 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New England Patriots — S. Michel (Q1 50:01)
• New England Patriots — J. Edelman (T. Brady pass) (Q2 42:58)
• New England Patriots — S. Michel (Q2 32:00)
• Kansas City Chiefs — K. Hunt (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 28:39)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Hill (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 16:03)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Hill (P. Mahomes pass) (Q4 8:44)
• New England Patriots — T. Brady (Q4 5:32)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Hill (P. Mahomes pass) (Q4 3:15)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q1 54:09)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q1 50:22)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q1 48:29)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q2 36:24)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q3 22:20)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q3 18:40)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 10:25)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 3:19)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 0:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–6. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the NE 24 (Q1 54:09) — (9:09) 7-H.Butker 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the KC 30 (Q1 50:22) — (5:22) 3-S.Gostkowski 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q1 50:01) — (5:01) 26-S.Michel up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q1 49:57) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the NE 24 (Q1 48:29) — (3:29) 7-H.Butker 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–3. New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 17 (Q2 42:58) — (12:58) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 11-J.Edelman for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 42:52) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the NE 6 (Q2 36:24) — (6:24) 7-H.Butker 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 1 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 26-S.Michel right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 31:57) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 17–3. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 67 (Q3 28:39) — (13:39) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 27-K.Hunt for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 28:27) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the KC 5 (Q3 22:20) — (7:20) 3-S.Gostkowski 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the NE 12 (Q3 18:40) — (3:40) 7-H.Butker 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 14 (Q3 16:03) — (1:03) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 15:56) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 16–14. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the KC 21 (Q4 10:25) — (10:25) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. NE 3-Gostkowski 350th career FG, 19th all-time.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q4 8:44) — (8:44) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 10-T.Hill for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q4 8:38) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q4 5:32) — (5:32) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady scrambles left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on KC-22-O.Scandrick, Defensive Holding, declined.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 5:25) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the KC 32 (Q4 3:19) — (3:19) 3-S.Gostkowski 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. NE 3-Gostkowski 400th career FGA, 30th all-time.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 75 (Q4 3:15) — (3:15) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 10-T.Hill for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q4 3:03) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the KC 10 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 3-S.Gostkowski 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 3:15) — (3:15) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 10-T.Hill for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.4% · EPA +6.09]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 10:22) — 3-S.Gostkowski kicks 65 yards from NE 35 to KC 0. 39-Tr. Smith to NE 3 for 97 yards (32-D.McCourty). [WPA +22.3% · EPA +4.95]
• New England Patriots (Q4 0:51) — (:51) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 87-R.Gronkowski to KC 9 for 39 yards (30-J.Shaw). NE 87-Gronkowski 500 career rec, 15th TE to achieve that milestone. [WPA +19.1% · EPA +1.65]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 50:12) — (5:12) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle intended for 87-T.Kelce INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Hightower at KC 31. 54-D.Hightower to KC 4 for 27 yards (84-D.Harris). [WPA -18.6% · EPA -6.66]
• New England Patriots (Q4 7:20) — (7:20) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 15-C.Hogan to KC 24 for 42 yards (23-K.Fuller). Penalty on KC-23-K.Fuller, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +15.7% · EPA +2.90]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 50:12) — (5:12) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle intended for 87-T.Kelce INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Hightower at KC 31. 54-D.Hightower to KC 4 for 27 yards (84-D.Harris). [WPA -18.6% · EPA -6.66]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 28:39) — (13:39) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 27-K.Hunt for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +6.36]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 3:15) — (3:15) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 10-T.Hill for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.4% · EPA +6.09]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 10:22) — 3-S.Gostkowski kicks 65 yards from NE 35 to KC 0. 39-Tr. Smith to NE 3 for 97 yards (32-D.McCourty). [WPA +22.3% · EPA +4.95]

Quarterback report card

T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 41 dropbacks · 58.5% completion · +4.0% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +8.97 total EPA
• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 38 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · +0.5% CPOE · +0.20 EPA/play · +7.78 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Kansas City Chiefs generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.27 vs +0.19), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Kansas City Chiefs: 11 drives, +19.59 total EPA, 8 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 12 drives, +19.14 total EPA, 9 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.
• T. Hill (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Brady (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.

1. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 54:09 · NE 24 · Score 3-0
   (9:09) 7-H.Butker 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
2. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 50:22 · KC 30 · Score 3-3
   (5:22) 3-S.Gostkowski 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
3. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 50:01 · KC 4 · Score 3-9
   (5:01) 26-S.Michel up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 49:57 · KC 15 · Score 3-10
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
5. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 48:29 · NE 24 · Score 6-10
   (3:29) 7-H.Butker 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
6. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 42:58 · KC 17 · Score 6-16
   (12:58) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 11-J.Edelman for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 42:52 · KC 15 · Score 6-17
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
8. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 36:24 · NE 6 · Score 9-17
   (6:24) 7-H.Butker 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
9. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · KC 1 · Score 9-23
   (2:00) 26-S.Michel right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 31:57 · KC 15 · Score 9-24
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
11. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 28:39 · NE 67 · Score 15-24
    (13:39) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 27-K.Hunt for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 28:27 · NE 15 · Score 16-24
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
13. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 22:20 · KC 5 · Score 16-27
    (7:20) 3-S.Gostkowski 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
14. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 18:40 · NE 12 · Score 19-27
    (3:40) 7-H.Butker 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
15. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 16:03 · NE 14 · Score 25-27
    (1:03) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 15:56 · NE 15 · Score 26-27
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
17. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 10:25 · KC 21 · Score 26-30
    (10:25) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. NE 3-Gostkowski 350th career FG, 19th all-time.
18. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 8:44 · NE 1 · Score 32-30
    (8:44) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 10-T.Hill for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 8:38 · NE 15 · Score 33-30
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
20. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 5:32 · KC 4 · Score 33-36
    (5:32) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady scrambles left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on KC-22-O.Scandrick, Defensive Holding, declined.
21. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 5:25 · KC 15 · Score 33-37
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
22. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 3:19 · KC 32 · Score 33-40
    (3:19) 3-S.Gostkowski 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. NE 3-Gostkowski 400th career FGA, 30th all-time.
23. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 3:15 · NE 75 · Score 39-40
    (3:15) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 10-T.Hill for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
24. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 3:03 · NE 15 · Score 40-40
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
25. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · KC 10 · Score 40-43
    (:03) 3-S.Gostkowski 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.