What they’re saying about refs, Brian Hoyer, COVID-19 outbreak after Patriots loss to Chiefs

The New England Patriots had a shot for most of the night, but ultimately came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs.

There’s plenty of game to go around. Based on the reaction from across New England and the NFL, the loss at Arrowhead Stadium can be pinned on the refs, Brian Hoyer, COVID-19 or any number of factors.

Here’s a rundown of the fallout from Monday night’s game, including some of the best reaction from around the league:

Kevin Wildes, via Fox Sports 1

Jeff Howe, The Athletic

“Oh, what might have been if Newton were in uniform. It took Hoyer four series to settle down, as his first three incomplete passes were sailed on the high side — missing a wide-open Ryan Izzo on the opening drive, Byrd on the sideline on third-and-3 on the second possession and finally on an interception over Izzo a series later.

“Even though Newton wasn’t himself last week against the Raiders, he would have almost certainly backed up the defense’s admirable showing against Patrick Mahomes. At the very least, the Patriots have to like the way they would stack up against the Chiefs in a playoff rematch.”

Dan Shaughnessy, The Boston Globe

“In an indelible American moment rife with symmetry and symbolism, the Patriots kicked off on CBS less than 10 minutes after COVID-positive President Trump’s perfectly timed return to the White House at the conclusion of the “CBS Evening News.” A tradition like no other. Team Trumpers Bob Kraft and Belichick must have been inspired.

Playing without Newton, facing the Super Bowl champs, traveling on the same day they were playing, the Pats were 10 1/4 u00bd point underdogs — a number not seen in New England since 24-year-old Tom Brady and the Patriots were 14-point dogs against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl 36 in February of 2002.”

Matt Chatham, NESN

Miguel Benzan, Boston Sports Journal

Bob Socci, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Brandon Marshall, Fox Sports 1

Doug Kyed, NESN.com

Ben Volin, The Boston Globe

“Bill Belichick really should have replaced Hoyer with Stidham at halftime. The whole point of Hoyer playing is that, in theory, he’s going to make smart decisions. But Hoyer lacked any pocket awareness and made two massive, unforgivable mistakes: Taking the sack and forgetting the timeout situation at the end of the first half, and holding onto the ball way too long en route to a sack and lost fumble. Those two plays cost the Patriots at least six crucial points, in a game where points were a premium.”

Sam Mellinger, The Kansas City Star

“Nothing is normal in 2020, and that’s especially true when we talk about a football game pushed back 25 1/2 hours because of COVID-19 cases on both teams. The Patriots woke up Friday morning believing they had Cam Newton to unleash on a suspect Chiefs run defense. Instead, they ended up with Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham against a hungry Chiefs pass defense.”

Greg Bedard, Boston Sports Journal

Conor Ryan, Boston Sports Journal

“For as much as the odds are clearly tilted in favor of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ bombastic aerial assault when operating from within the friendly confines of Arrowhead (16-4 home record for KC’s franchise QB), the daunting road game offered New England an in-game environment that, for the first time in a long time, felt somewhat normal.”

Rodger Sherman, The Ringer

Brian Hoyer, Patriots quarterback

“It’s disappointing. You never want to get taken out of a game, but coach made the decision and I understand. Just two bad decisions in the red area really cost us points. It’s frustrating. It’s disappointing. I have to do a better job.

“I cost us at least six points.”

Referee Tony Corrente (on blowing play dead on Patrick Mahomes sack)

“I felt that he was being controlled quite a bit prior to him actually going to the ground,” Corrente said. “And he was being controlled, other players were coming in at him. And so with those other players bearing down on him, a quarterback is considered in the grasp and his forward progress is the case in this instance. So, rather than allow him to get hit by a second and third player, we shut it down and considered it forward progress at that point.”

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs quarterback

“I didn’t play very good football. … Our defense stepped up, made a lot of big-time plays. Whenever you’re trying to go throughout a season and win as many football games as possible to set you up for the playoffs, you’re going to have to win games like this.”

Nick Wright, Fox Sports 1

Henry McKenna, Patriots Wire

Ryan Hannable, WEEI.com

“It doesn’t happen often, but the Patriots beat themselves. They had a great gameplan defensively and with the running game, but some bad situational football and dropped passes ultimately led to the loss. The Patriots had two dropped interceptions, a strip-sack in the red zone as well a dropped pass that turned into a pick-6. It was not a case of the Chiefs simply over-powering New England, as they actually played a subpar game, but they took advantage of all the mistakes made on the other side of the field.”

Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald

Mark Daniels, Providence Journal

Related content:

Patriots-Chiefs report cards: Don’t let the F’s at QB distract you from how well the defense played

Damien Harris cause for optimism in Patriots offense’s clunker at Kansas City 5/8 Chris Mason

Patriots QB Brian Hoyer doesn’t make excuses after disappointing showing: ‘I cost us at least six points’

Patriots-Chiefs refs blew controversial play dead to protect Patrick Mahomes: ‘We shut it down and considered it forward progress’

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