FOXBORO — The Patriots gave fans in attendance at Gillette Stadium at least one entertaining half Sunday against the Chiefs.

And that’s about all anyone could hope for this season while watching the now 3-11 Patriots after they lost their Week 15 matchup to the Chiefs 27-17.

The two teams traded missed field goals in the first half as Patriots rookie kicker Chad Ryland’s season-long issues continue. Ryland was 1-of-2 on field goals and 2-of-2 on extra points as he made a 25-yarder and missed a 41-yarder. It would not be surprising if the team brought in more competition for the 2023 fourth-round pick this week.

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Quarterback Bailey Zappe was impressive in the offensive series before Ryland’s miss, connecting on six straight completions before a facemask penalty on rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas and sack pushed the team back.

The Chiefs were the first team on the board after marching 69 yards down the field on four plays late in the first quarter. They hopped into a time machine on their touchdown, running a single-wing as running back Jerick McKinnon shoveled the ball forward to rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice for a 4-yard touchdown.

Both teams forced three-and-outs before the Patriots went on a 10-play, 61-yard touchdown-scoring drive. Zappe impressively threaded a needle between two Chiefs defenders to connect with tight end Hunter Henry on his third touchdown grab in the last two weeks.

Patriots rookie safety Marte Mapu jumped in front of tight end Blake Bell on a target from quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the first play of the Chiefs’ ensuing drive to give Zappe the ball back at Kansas City’s 8-yard line.

Zappe connected with Henry for another touchdown but the play was called back on a holding penalty from left tackle Conor McDermott. The Patriots had to settle for Ryland’s 25-yard field goal as the Patriots took a 10-7 lead.

They held it for exactly four minutes and 10 seconds longer than anyone expected before Mahomes led the Chiefs on an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to take a 14-10 lead.

The Patriots brought some excitement early in the third quarter when cornerback Jonathan Jones forced a fumble after a catch from Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore that safety Jabrill Peppers recovered. Cornerback Alex Austin was flagged for holding on the play, however, so the takeaway was reversed.

The Chiefs finished their opening drive with a 29-yard field goal to extend their lead to 17-10.

Zappe was intercepted on an ugly throw directly to Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay on the Patriots’ first play of their next offensive series, giving KC the ball at the Patriots’ 7-yard line. Two plays later, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was in the end zone on a 6-yard completion from Mahomes.

The Patriots gained just 2 yards on five plays on their next drive before the Chiefs went 39 yards on six plays to kick another field goal, making the score 27-10.

The Patriots and Chiefs then punted on five consecutive series before Mahomes was intercepted by linebacker Jahlani Tavai on a passing attempt that was dropped by wide receiver Kadarius Toney.

Running back Kevin Harris — elevated from the practice squad — scored on an 18-yard touchdown run in just his third touch of the season to cut the Chiefs’ lead to 27-17.

The Chiefs snapped their two-game losing streak. It was just the fourth time this season they’ve scored 27 or more points in a game.

Zappe went 23-of-31 for 180 yards with a touchdown and interception. Mahomes was 27-of-37 for 305 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The usually stingy Patriots run defense held the Chiefs to just 2.8 yards per carry. Left guard Cole Strange (knee), left tackle Conor McDermott (head) and tight end Hunter Henry (knee) didn’t finish the game due to injuries.

In a silver lining for the Patriots, their chances to grab the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft improved with a Panthers win over the Falcons. The Panthers improved to 2-12 on the season.

BEST

S Marte Mapu: The rookie defender out of Sacramento State has been quiet this season, but he picked off Mahomes in the second quarter by jumping tight end Blake Bell’s route.

DT Christian Barmore: The Patriots’ defensive line was stout against the Chiefs’ rushing attack. Barmore extended his team lead with his 5.5th sack on the season.

TE Hunter Henry: The veteran tight end suffered an injury when he was cut down at the legs on an incomplete pass. He caught seven passes on nine targets for 66 yards with a touchdown before leaving the game.

LB Jahlani Tavai: One of the Patriots’ best defenders this season, Tavai picked off Mahomes on a drop from Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney.

WORST

ST Brenden Schooler: The second-year pro is a core special teams player who has been penalized five times now this season. A holding penalty negated a 46-yard kick return from Jalen Reagor, who looked dangerous after taking over the role from Ty Montgomery.

Injuries: It felt like trainers were coming out to tend to Patriots players on every drive. Cornerback Jonathan Jones, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, special teamer Matthew Slater and edge defender Anfernee Jennings also got banged up.

CB Alex Austin: The Patriots made cornerback J.C. Jackson active and Shaun Wade inactive, but Jackson was never spotted on the sideline. That led to more playing time for Austin, a rookie, who was penalized for illegal hands to the face and holding.

QB Bailey Zappe: It was a tale of two halves for Zappe, who was picked off on an ugly passing attempt with three Chiefs players around Henry.