Chiefs (and Taylor Swift) Outlast Patriots (with Jon Bon Jovi); Belichick's Penultimate Foxboro Farewell?

After a sterling first half in which he threw only two incompletions, Zappe helped turn a close game into a rout when he tossed an ugly interception on his first throw of the third quarter. He inexplicably threw into triple-coverage, with ball picked off by Kansas City linebacker Willie Gay Jr. at New England's 21-yard line. Two plays later Mahomes hit Clyde Edwards-Helaire with a touchdown pass and what once was a 10-7 Pats' lead was suddenly a 14-point deficit.

Last week in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Zappe went cold in the second and the offense didn't manage a drive longer than 20 yards. But in falling to 3-2 in his career as a starter, he was no match for Mahomes.

If Belichick isn't to return next season, this was his penultimate game in Foxboro ahead of the Jan. 7 finale against the New York Jets that could be the last of his storied 24-year career.

The Patriots trailed 14-10 at halftime despite an almost flawless Zappe. New England flubbed several chances to score more points, including big penalties that wiped out a completion to Demario Douglass at Kansas City's 5-yard line and a touchdown catch by Hunter Henry, and Chad Ryland's 41-yard field goal that hooked left.

Surprisingly outperforming Mahomes-to-Kelce, Zappe-to-Henry connected six times for 57 yards and a touchdown that tied the score at 7-7 early in the second quarter. Zappe went an astounding 17 of 19 for 141 yards in the first half, often escaping blitz pressure to make positive plays,

New England managed a 10-7 lead after third-round draft pick Marte Mapu made the first play of consequence in his rookie season, outfighting Kelce for a pass and grabbing his first interception.

The Patriots also shot themselves in the foot on the opening drive, with another costly penalty that wiped out Jalen Reagor's 46-yard kickoff return. With an uncharacteristic, free-wheeling style - born either from a team already eliminated from the playoffs and with nothing to lose, or a head coach fighting for his job - the Patriots attempted 18 passes on their first 23 snaps and went for 4th-and-1 at the Chiefs' 16 (resulting in Henry's score).

The Chiefs took the lead just before half on Mahomes' 8-yard scoring pass to Jerick McKinnon.

The Patriots lost starting left guard Cole Strange, who suffered a knee injury when he was bent backward and eventually left the field on a cart.

New England next travels to Denver to play the Broncos in Week 16 on Christmas Eve night.