WHEN THE PATRIOTS RAN
For the second week in a row the Patriots went up against a team that was having all kinds of trouble stopping the run. Through the first three weeks the Chiefs were allowing 5.1 yards per carry. But early in Monday night's lopsided affair the Patriots remade offensive line couldn't move anyone anywhere. Then the game quickly got out of hand and the running game was a mere afterthought. Stevan Ridley picked up 28 yards on just five carries while Shane Vereen curiously received more action with eight carries for just 26 yards. Some of Vereen's attempts came in short-yardage situations where Ridley would seem to be the better alternative, and he was unsuccessful. Rookie James White made his NFL debut and tacked on 21 yards on three garbage time carries. Overall the Patriots running game looks just as inept as the passing game. Â EDGE: CHIEFS
WHEN THE CHIEFS RAN
Kansas City abused New England's 3-4 front on the ground all night long. Chandler Jones was again asked to man a defensive end spot and was targeted throughout. He had a difficult time setting the edge and the Chiefs kept going at him. Aside from two stuffed runs on the first two plays, the Chiefs ran at will until the outcome had been decided, posting 16 efficient runs (4 yards or more, first down, TD) in 18 attempts during a stretch from the first quarter into the third. Through three quarters they had 20 such runs in 26 attempts. Knile Davis topped the century mark with 107 yards on only 16 carries (6.7-yard average) while the dynamic Jamaal Charles added 92 yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts (5.1-yard average). The Chiefs finished with 209 yards on 36 carries excluding a pair of Alex Smith kneel-downs to close it out. It was a performance that was eerily similar to the opener in Miami when the Patriots simply couldn't stop the run. Â EDGE: CHIEFS
WHEN THE PATRIOTS PASSED
Tom Brady is not getting enough protection to make any plays, and on the rare occasions he does have time he hasn't made the best decisions. In Kansas City he passed up a couple of short throws early in an effort to get the ball down the field and never came close. He completed just 14 of his 23 attempts for only 159 yards and a touchdown. He also tossed the first two interceptions of his season and added a pair of fumbles off strip sacks, one of which the Chiefs recovered. His passer rating of 59.9 is indicative of his struggles, as was Julian Edelman's four catch, 23-yard effort. The Chiefs did a good job of crowding Edelman, and with Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins inactive Brady didn't have many options. Brandon LaFell did flash some ability and finished with six catches for 119 yards and a touchdown, but he only had three receptions for 28 yards in the first half when the game was competitive. Through the first month this looks like a train wreck. Â EDGE: CHIEFS
WHEN THE CHIEFS PASSED
Things weren't much better for the secondary. Smith methodically picked the Patriots apart, completing 20 of 26 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns for a 144.4 passer rating. He found Dwayne Bowe (five catches, 81 yards) early and worked dynamic young tight end Travis Kelce (eight catches, 93 yards, 1 TD) into the mix as well. Charles was also a big part of the passing game with three catches, two of which resulted in touchdowns. Smith enjoyed plenty of time in the pocket, and the running game allowed him to use play action liberally throughout. Logan Ryan started in place of Alfonzo Dennard (shoulder) and was benched in the second half in favor of rookie Malcolm Butler. Darrelle Revis once again was asked to play a lot of zone, but when he did match up with Bowe he generally lost. The coverage needs to improve quickly because the Patriots will face a lot more talented passing games in the weeks ahead. Â EDGE: CHIEFS
SPECIAL TEAMS
This matchup was actually pretty even, unlike the rest of the game. Matthew Slater was one of the few Patriots who came to play. He came up with two terrific stops in punt coverage, nailing Freddie Hammond each time. Slater timed his arrival perfectly and stopped the Chiefs returner in his tracks. Edelman wasn't able to generate anything on his two returns and Patrick Chung was forced to settle for touchbacks on five of his seven kick return attempts. He averaged just 22.5 yards on the other two. Phillip Gaines turned in a strong effort as well, burying Edelman at the Patriots 9 on one punt and downing another at the 2. The coverage on both sides was solid and Cairo Santos made a pair of short field goals for the Chiefs. Not much to pick from in the kicking game but the Chiefs overall dominance gives them a clean sweep. Â EDGE: CHIEFS
