The Kansas City Chiefs secured a much-needed win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Week 15. The victory ended their two-game losing streak and kept them in contention for the top seed in the AFC and the important bye week in the postseason.
Mahomes handled every defensive scheme thrown at him since he’s expected to go against a Bil Belicheck-coached team and execute efficiently. The two interceptions he threw were beyond his control as they were taken out of the hands of tight-end Blake Bell and bobbled by Kadarius Toney.
He connected often with star rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice and veteran running backs Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Harrison Butker missed his first field goal since last season but still connected later in the game from 54 yards.
Kansas City’s defense stifled the Patriots’ offense, especially in the second half, with takeaways and short possessions. Four sacks by the unit, along with an impressive first-half interception from Willie Gay Jr., Chris Jones, L’Jarius Sneed, and Drue Tranquill, all made significant plays to help clinch the road victory.
The Chiefs gained a full game in the AFC West with the victory, as the Denver Broncos loss pushes their division lead to two with three games left in the regular season.
Here’s a look at how the stock is trending for some players after the Week 15 victory at Gillette Stadium:
Stock Up: Patrick Mahomes
The must-win environment seems to fit Mahomes well, as he was sharp throughout the game, with his stat line being affected by two interceptions beyond his control. He guided the offense efficiently and successfully with points at the end of drives, tallying 27 completions for 305 yards and two touchdowns.
Stock Up: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
No Pacheco, no problem for Edwards-Helaire, as he was a dual threat on offense in the victory. He finished with 37 yards rushing, four receptions for 64 yards, and an excellent red zone touchdown grab.
Stock Up: Rashee Rice
Rice is approaching Chiefs franchise history for a rookie receiver as he dominated the Patriots’ secondary on Sunday. The rising star collected nine receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown to lead the team as Mahomes’ primary target.
Stock Up: Willie Gay Jr.
A momentum-changing play from Gay intercepting Bailey Zappe lifted the defense to another level throughout the second half. The 24-yard return immediately put the Chiefs in a scoring position to extend their lead and never look back.
Stock Down: Kadarius Toney
The rough week Toney experienced following his offsides penalty in the team’s loss to the Bills may have been extended as he had two more drops on Sunday. One of his drops bobbled off his hands and into the arms of a defender, adding an interception to Mahomes’ stat line and increasing frustration with his overall performance.
