Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots: 2023 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2023 NFL season on 2023-12-17, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 27–17 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with +1.92 total EPA, and +10.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.99 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (7:09) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle intended for 81-B.Bell INTERCEPTED by 30-M.Mapu [90-C.Barmore] at KC 28. 30-M.Mapu pushed ob at KC 8 for 20 yards (83-N.Gray). KC-64-W.Morris was injured during t

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 R. Rice · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +9.99 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Edwards-Helaire · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +6.03 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
3. 3 N. Gray · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.29 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Parker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.01 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
5. 5 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +1.92 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
6. 6 Ju. Watson · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.81 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
7. 7 J. McKinnon · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.75 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
8. 8 R. James · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.57 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.57 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

• Kansas City Chiefs — J. McKinnon (J. McKinnon pass) (Q1 46:34)
• New England Patriots — H. Henry (B. Zappe pass) (Q2 37:14)
• Kansas City Chiefs — J. McKinnon (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 30:40)
• Kansas City Chiefs — C. Edwards-Helaire (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 24:29)
• New England Patriots — K. Harris (Q4 8:31)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — C. Ryland (Q2 34:50)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q3 25:32)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q3 18:45)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 7–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 4 (Q1 46:34) — (1:34) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 1-J.McKinnon. 1-J.McKinnon pass short middle to 4-R.Rice for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q1 46:30) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 13–10. New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 16 (Q2 37:14) — (7:14) 4-B.Zappe pass deep right to 85-H.Henry for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 37:09) — 37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the KC 7 (Q2 34:50) — (4:50) 37-C.Ryland 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 8 (Q2 30:40) — (:40) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 1-J.McKinnon for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q2 30:35) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 13–0. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the NE 11 (Q3 25:32) — (10:32) 7-H.Butker 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 6 (Q3 24:29) — (9:29) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 25-C.Edwards-Helaire for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 24:22) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the NE 35 (Q3 18:45) — (3:45) 7-H.Butker 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 18 (Q4 8:31) — (8:31) (Shotgun) 36-K.Harris up the middle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 8:24) — 37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer..

Turning points

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 37:09) — (7:09) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle intended for 81-B.Bell INTERCEPTED by 30-M.Mapu [90-C.Barmore] at KC 28. 30-M.Mapu pushed ob at KC 8 for 20 yards (83-N.Gray). KC-64-W.Morris was injured during t [WPA -18.0% · EPA -6.39]
• New England Patriots (Q2 37:14) — (7:14) 4-B.Zappe pass deep right to 85-H.Henry for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.0% · EPA +4.17]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 33:22) — (3:22) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 84-Ju.Watson to NE 42 for 31 yards (31-J.Jones). [WPA +14.3% · EPA +2.89]
• New England Patriots (Q3 25:22) — (10:22) 4-B.Zappe pass short right intended for 85-H.Henry INTERCEPTED by 50-W.Gay at NE 31. 50-W.Gay pushed ob at NE 7 for 24 yards (60-D.Andrews). [WPA -12.2% · EPA -6.37]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 30:40) — (:40) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 1-J.McKinnon for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.8% · EPA +2.54]

Impact plays

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 37:09) — (7:09) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle intended for 81-B.Bell INTERCEPTED by 30-M.Mapu [90-C.Barmore] at KC 28. 30-M.Mapu pushed ob at KC 8 for 20 yards (83-N.Gray). KC-64-W.Morris was injured during t [WPA -18.0% · EPA -6.39]
• New England Patriots (Q3 25:22) — (10:22) 4-B.Zappe pass short right intended for 85-H.Henry INTERCEPTED by 50-W.Gay at NE 31. 50-W.Gay pushed ob at NE 7 for 24 yards (60-D.Andrews). [WPA -12.2% · EPA -6.37]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 9:20) — (9:20) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle intended for 19-K.Toney INTERCEPTED by 48-Ja.Tavai at KC 31. 48-Ja.Tavai to KC 27 for 4 yards (52-C.Humphrey). FUMBLES (52-C.Humphrey), touched at KC 29 [WPA -3.3% · EPA -4.59]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 54:56) — (9:56) 7-H.Butker 39 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend. [WPA -10.0% · EPA -4.23]

Quarterback report card

P.Mahomes led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 44 dropbacks · 61.4% completion · +10.4% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.92 total EPA
• B.Zappe (New England Patriots) · 37 dropbacks · 62.2% completion · +1.5% CPOE · -0.42 EPA/play · -15.72 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 (-0.11 vs -0.34), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Kansas City Chiefs: 13 drives, -9.13 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 14 drives, -23.47 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Kansas City Chiefs leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• R. Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• P. Mahomes (KC) 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 TD (+6) — Q1 46:34 · NE 4 · Score 6-0
   (1:34) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 1-J.McKinnon. 1-J.McKinnon pass short middle to 4-R.Rice for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 46:30 · NE 15 · Score 7-0
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
3. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 37:14 · KC 16 · Score 7-6
   (7:14) 4-B.Zappe pass deep right to 85-H.Henry for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 37:09 · KC 15 · Score 7-7
   37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
5. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 34:50 · KC 7 · Score 7-10
   (4:50) 37-C.Ryland 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
6. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 30:40 · NE 8 · Score 13-10
   (:40) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 1-J.McKinnon for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+7) — Q2 30:35 · NE 15 · Score 14-10
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
8. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 25:32 · NE 11 · Score 17-10
   (10:32) 7-H.Butker 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
9. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 24:29 · NE 6 · Score 23-10
   (9:29) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 25-C.Edwards-Helaire for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 24:22 · NE 15 · Score 24-10
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
11. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 18:45 · NE 35 · Score 27-10
    (3:45) 7-H.Butker 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
12. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 8:31 · KC 18 · Score 27-16
    (8:31) (Shotgun) 36-K.Harris up the middle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 8:24 · KC 15 · Score 27-17
    37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.