Hightower Helps Patriots Get Two Picks

Following an injury-riddled 2017 season, Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower didn’t do much over the first five weeks. But he played a major role in New England’s first-half success on Sunday night.

In the first quarter, Hightower intercepted a Patrick Mahomes pass intended for tight end Travis Kelce and returned it 27 yards to the Chiefs’ 4-yard line to set up the game’s first TD. New England trailed 3-0 at the time, so the seventh-year pro’s near pick-6 was much-needed.

The pick was actually the first regular-season interception of Hightower’s career, so that is noteworthy as well. But the 28-year-old wasn’t done making an impact on the game.

Just before halftime, the Chiefs were driving when Hightower was able to get pressure on Mahomes and force an errant throw. Safety Duron Harmon ultimately came up with New England’s second interception off a deflection to keep the Patriots’ lead at 15 heading into the locker room.

If not for Hightower’s play, Kansas City could have made it a one-score game at the half.

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