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September 23, 2002
FOXBORO, Mass. -- The Patriots won't dominate every opponent. That's when they turn to Adam Vinatieri.
Vinatieri, whose last-second kick beat the Rams in the Super Bowl, hit a 35-yarder 4:40 into overtime Sunday, giving unbeaten New England a 41-38 win over the Chiefs in its first close game of the season.
"That kid's got ice in his veins. He's done it for us forever," Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson said of Vinatieri.
New England quarterback Tom Brady was 39-of-54 for 410 yards and four touchdowns, all matching or establishing career highs. Troy Brown set a club record with 16 catches.
But Brown, who had 176 yards receiving, watched the winning drive from the sideline with a sore knee after it was hit by a helmet. He didn't think he was seriously hurt. He broke Terry Glenn's team mark of 13 catches set Oct. 3, 1999, at Cleveland.
"It wasn't good for your heart, but I think it's good because it builds your team," Brown said of the wild finish. "It gets you ready for later in the season. We've got to learn how to win these games, how to close them out."
The Patriots, without injured linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Roman Phifer, let Priest Holmes run for two touchdowns in the last five minutes of regulation.
The Chiefs tied the score at 38 as time expired on Holmes' 1-yard run and Morten Andersen's extra point. Holmes had 180 yards rushing and a 3-yard scoring catch.
The Patriots won the coin toss in overtime and started at their 30-yard line.
Brady completed 3-of-4; his 22-yarder to David Patten gave New England a first down at the Chiefs' 22. Three more plays gained 5 yards, then Vinatieri connected for his third last-play field goal in six games.
His 23-yarder in the snow gave New England a 16-13 win over Oakland in last season's playoffs before he connected against St. Louis.
Kansas City's offense also was outstanding, particularly late. Holmes caught one of Trent Green's three touchdowns. The others went to Eddie Kennison.
Trailing 38-24 after Antowain Smith's 42-yard touchdown run with 6:20 left in the fourth, the Chiefs tied the score on runs by Holmes of 6 yards with 4:37 left in the fourth and his 1-yarder.