AFC East Update: Week One Scores, Stats and Standings

The game was filled with high emotion and energy right from the kicked off, and the Patriots looked ready to go. New faces to the dynasty franchise like Stephon Gilmore, Mike Gillislee, Dwayne Allen and Brandin Cooks were all excited and ready to go. The Patriots started out very impressive to start the game.

Sure, there were some dropped passes by tight end Dwayne Allen and running back Rex Burkhead, but that didn’t stop future hall of fame quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots scored on their first drive thanks to running back Mike Gillislee punching it in from the goal line. It seemed all the momentum was with the Patriots when Kansas City’s rookie running back Kareem Hunt fumbled for the first time in hist career, on his very first carry.

But Kansas City’s all pro defense came up huge on the following drive when safety Eric Berry stuffed running back Mike Gillislee on a fourth and one. The Chiefs were showing glimpses of productivity on offense but couldn’t seem to get the ball rolling. Kansas City’s defense came up big again and forced New England to punt.

The Chiefs finally got their first touchdown of the game when quarterback Alex Smith hit tight-end Demetrius Harris for a 7-yard touchdown to tie the game up at seven. But the Patriots kept coming as they later made it 17-7 thanks to another touchdown run from Mike Gillislee. But just before halftime Alex Smith marched his team down the field and found Kareem Hunt for a 6-yard touchdown to make it a 14-17 ball game.

But the Chiefs didn’t let up as they got the ball to start the second half. The Chiefs made Gillette Stadium very quiet when Alex Smith found Tyreek Hill for a 75-yard touchdown to give Kansas City a 21-17  lead. But, the Patriots responded yet again and guess who? Mike Gillislee punched it in for a one-yard touchdown and his third touchdown of the game to give the Patriots the lead again.

After a Stephen Gostkowski field-goal made it 27-21 the Chiefs responded yet again. Alex Smith continued to make explosive plays as he found running back Kareem Hunt for a 78-yard touchdown to tie the game.

After an extra point from Cairo Santos, Kansas City had a 28-72 lead in the fourth quarter. Kansas City’s defense came up big yet again, this time in the fourth quarter. The Patriots went for it on fourth and inches, and the Chiefs stuffed them yet again.

Kareem Hunt managed to score another his third touchdown of the game on a 5-yard pitch from Alex Smith to make it 35-27. With four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Charcandrick West capped off a stunning night with a 21-yard touchdown run to pull off the surprising upset and ruin the unveiling of the Super Bowl LI banner festivities. The Chiefs steal one in Foxborough 42-27.

Here are some of the top stats from Thursday’s game:
(All stats are courtesy of ESPN.com and only of Patriot players as they’re in the AFC East)

Passing

Tom Brady (NE) – 16/36, 267 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

Rushing

Mike Gillislee (NE) – 15 carries, 45 yards, 3 TD
James White (NE) – 10 carries, 38 yards, 0 TD
Rex Burkhead (NE) – 3 carries, 15 yards, 0 TD

Receiving

Danny Amendola (NE) – 6 receptions, 100 yards
Brandin Cooks (NE) – 3 receptions, 88 yards
Rob Gronkowski (NE) – 2 receptions, 33 yards

Defense

Devin McCourty (NE) – 10 tackles, 9 solo, 1 tackle for loss, 2 passes defended
Kyle Van Noy (NE) – 6 tackles, 5 solo
Trey Flowers (NE) – 5 tackles, 3 solo, 2 sacks
Stephon Gilmore (NE) – 4 tackles, 3 solo
Malcolm Butler (NE) – 4 tackles, 4 solo

After week one in the NFL is in the books, the Buffalo Bills find themselves the leaders in the AFC East.

Next: Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets: The Jet Press’ view on game 1

Can the Buffalo Bills find themselves at a record of 2-0 at the end of next week and pull off an upset for head coach Sean McDermott? Leave your comments down below!