SteemSports Presenter:@hogan22
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
What an opening night for the 2017 NFL season. The Kansas City Chiefs came to Gillette Stadium to face the World Champion New England Patriots. Let's breakdown the events as they unfolded.
It was a fast start for the Patriots and Tom Brady. They marched down the field and running back Mike Gillislee ran for his first of several touchdowns on the night. He is the current version of the Patriots running game that has been “next man up” for the last decade. James White also had a nice game at running back as well. Last year, Legarrette Blount had 18 touchdowns but he is long gone.
On the Chiefs first offensive play of the game, rookie running back, Kareem Hunt, fumbled the ball after an 8 yard run. He never lost a fumble in over 800 carries during his college career. The Chiefs defense luckily held them scoreless after that turnover to escape still down by 7. Reliable KC quarterback, Alex Smith then drove the Chiefs down the field and capped off the drive by throwing a touchdown pass to Demetrius Harris. That play tied the game at 7-7.
The Patriots then moved the ball down field and capped off a drive to start the second quarter with a 25 yard field goal by kicker Stephen Gotskowski. The Pats were up 10-7. But a few series later, Gillislee ran for his second touchdown of the night to take what looked to be a commanding 17-7 lead. That lasted until the Chiefs made an extremely important drive to end the half with a redeeming touchdown by Kareem Hunt who had fumbled in the first quarter. The Pats were up 17-14 at the half.
This epic game started with a 3rd quarter bomb by Alex Smith to wide receiver Tyreek Hill for 75 and a touchdown to take their first lead! The lead for KC only lasted a few minutes though. The Patriots were able to march the ball down the field and Gillislee got into the endzone for the 3rd time, regaining the lead for the Pats 24-21. This was followed by another field goal for the New England and they entered the 4th quarter with a 27-21 lead.
The 4th quarter opened with a shocking 78 yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Kareem Hunt! KC was up 28-27 and Alex Smith was over 300 yards passing and 4 touchdowns! After a quick stop of the Pats offense, Alex Smith got the ball back. And boy was he special. He lead the Chiefs offense to a SEVERAL play and long drive that ended with yet another Kareem Hunt touchdown to take and 8 point lead with only 5 minutes left.
The Chiefs got the ball back with 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter when running back Charcandrick West broke loose for 21 yards. His touchdown gave them a 42-27 lead and the game was over.
Tom Brady ended up with awful numbers. He 16-36 with ZERO touchdowns. The Patriots dream of an undefeated season is over in week 1 and the Kansas City Chiefs look like a Super Bowl caliber team. It is going to be one hell of a season!