Image courtesy of USATI

The Patriots played tough in a 27-17 loss to the Chiefs. The offense got off to a good start but their inability to finish drives early on proved to be costly. Add to that a string of penalties and the Patriots fell behind and were never able to keep pace against a Chiefs team that is better despite their recent inconsistency on offense.

Here are seven points from today’s game.

1. Fast start, bad finish on offense: The Patriots once again got off to a fast start in the first half but faded in the second half. In his last two starts, Bailey Zappe’s first half stat line is 31-40 for 337 yards and four touchdown passes in the first half. He completed 17-of-19 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown in the first half today. The second half however has been a different story. He has been a different quarterback. What that tells me is the Patriots are executing all the new stuff they put in early but once the defense adjusts, they struggle to adjust.

2. Strange injures his knee: Cole Strange left the game in the second half on a cart after injuring his knee. Strange has been playing better of late so the injury comes at a bad time. Then again, there never is the right time to get hurt. It speaks to how snake bitten Strange has been however his first two seasons in the league. Just when he is hitting his stride, something happens.

3. Offensive line woes continue: The offensive line played well last week but it was a struggle today both in the run game and in pass protection. The Patriots only rushed for 52 yards total. The offensive line gave up four sacks and struggled with the Chiefs blitzes, especially their edge pressure. Kansas City is tough to handle inside with Chris Jones and company but today it was their outside linebackers and secondary that were the problem.

4. Banged up: Strange was not the only one who got banged up today. Conor McDermott left the game with what appeared to be a concussion. Hunter Henry hurt his knee in the fourth quarter and did not return. Both Jonathan Jones and JaWhaun Bentley left the game with injuries but returned. The Patriots are starting to thin out and are limping down the stretch, literally and figuratively.

5. Defense can only do so much: The defense did not play as well as they have in recent weeks but they once again played well enough for the Patriots to have a shot to win this game. Kansas City is not as good as they usually are offensively but they still have Patrick Mahomes and Travis kelce so to hold them to 27 is an accomplishment.

6. Penalties: Penalties were a problem for the Patriots today and they proved to be costly. The Patriots committed five penalties for 45 yards. That may not seem like a lot but given when they occurred, it is was a problem. Discipline has been an issue for this team all season. It was a major issue today.

7. No moral victories: The Patriots played tough once again but there are no moral victories in football. The lack of talent is glaringly obious still. They do not have the type of talent you need to play with a team like Kansas City left alone beat them.