The New England Patriots, who slogged through an unimpressive first half that no doubt led to a locker room ass kicking at half time, came out in third quarter and jacked up the intensity. They put it to the Kansas City Chiefs 34-3 in front of national television audience Monday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.
That sluggish first half saw New England give up 3 sacks and a fumble and just play like they were in a fog. They were lucky they got to the locker room leading 10-3.
While Kansas City with a first time starter at quarterback moved the ball between the 20’s with ease it was New England and it’s high powered, multi-faceted offense that struggled mightily behind the two-time MVP quarterback.
It was a miracle they only gave up three points in the half but every time Kansas City had the ball they seemingly shot themselves in the foot. Mental errors in terms on penalties, sacks and an INT all killed potential scoring drives for an offense that moved the ball well against a rag tag Patriots defensive unit.
The Patriots were equally inept, giving up three bad sacks and one lost fumble. They were only able to come away with a Stephen Gostkowski field goal after a drive failed inside the five just before half time. Previously they scored on a Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski 52-yard TD pass in which Gronk (and WR Chad Ochocinco) was wide open without anyone within 10 yards of him.
The Patriots came out for the second half looking like a different team as they marched down field scoring once again on a Brady to Gronkowski TD pass to increase the lead to 17-3
Then after an ensuing three and out by the Chiefs, WR/PR/DB Julian Edelman returned a punt 72-yards for a back breaking TD on special teams and a 24-3 New England lead just over 5 and half minutes into the half.
After another impressive drive got stalled deep in the red zone when Brady couldn’t connect on third down with TE Aaron Hernandez they added another Gostkowski field goal, this one was 19-yards to make it 27-3 as the third quarter expired.
Rookie RB Shane Vereen capped a late 4th quarter 6 and half minute, 14 play drive with his first NFL TD and the capped the scoring at 34-3
But the highlight of the game was rookie OL Marcus Cannon, a cancer survivor, making his NFL debut in the 4th quarter at right tackle.
While not pretty it was yet another “W” for the good guys, who travel to Philly next weekend. I wonder if new Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon will take the boys out for cheese steaks on Saturday night?
Chiefs at Patriots Gamebook, this includes the box score, all the stats, play by play, drive charts and more.
Chiefs at Patriots game recap via Associated Press.
To continue reading, hit the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Turning Point(s) of the Game
New England’s opening drive of the second half led to a second Brady to Gronkowski TD to demoralize the Chiefs. Then the punt return by Edelman finished them off.
Offensive Player(s) of the Game
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski who had 4 catches for 96 yards and 2 TD catches.
Defensive Player(s) of the Game
New England CB Kyle Arrington had 4 tackles (3 solo) and 2 INT’s.
Game Notes
Starters for the Patriots were:
Offense:
LT – Light
LG – Mankins
C – Connolly
RG – Waters
RT – Vollmer
TE – Gronkowski
TE – Hernandez
WR – Branch
WR – Welker
QB – Brady
RB – Green-Ellis
Defense:
DE – Deaderick
DT – Wilfork
DT – Love
DE – Carter
LB – Mayo
LB – Guyton
LB – Ninkovich
CB – Molden
CB – Arrington
S – Moore
S – Ihedigbo
Inactives for the Game:
Patriots
1. LB Brandon Spikes (MCL)
2. LB Dane Fletcher (Thumb)
3. CB Devin McCourty (shoulder)
4. S Patrick Chung (foot)
5. RB Kevin Faulk (knee)
6. LB Jeff Tarpinian (illness)
7. QB Ryan Mallett
Chiefs
1. DE Glenn Dorsey (knee)
2. LB Demorrio Williams (groin)
3. S Jon McGraw (shoulder)
4. WR Keary Colbert
5. TE Anthony Becht
6. T Steve Maneri
7. DE Brandon Bair
The spread (Patriots minus 15) was covered. The over/under (46 1/2) was not covered. I took the points and the over. I am now 6-3-1 vs. the spread and 6 of 10 calling the under/over.
Kansas City won the toss and elected to receive.
Patriots led 10-3 at half time they are 7-1 this season when leading at the half.
The Chiefs lead the overall series vs. Patriots 16-13-3
Bill Belichick now has 184 wins – he is now 9th all-time.
Bill Belichick is 7-2 vs. the Chiefs in his career. He is 5-1 against them as the head coach in New England. He has never faced them in the post season.
The Patriots are 10-6-2 as the home team in the series.
New England has won 5 of the last 6 meetings.
The Patriots are 3-0 at Gillette Stadium vs. Kansas City.
Since 2002 when Gillette Stadium opened the Patriots are 71-15 at home the best mark in the NFL.
New England is 21-22 all-time on MNF and 10-8 as the home team.
Patriots are 68-73-6 all-time vs. the AFC West.
Tom Brady is now 4-1 vs. Kansas City.
Brady’s 2 TD passes give him 286 TD passes in his career he is now 8th all-time. Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas is 7th with 290.
Brady has 118 career wins he is tied with Johnny Unitas for 6th all-time. Fran Tarkenton is 5th with 124.
Brady was strip sacked to start 2nd quarter to end drive. Fourth game this season he has been strip sacked.
Brady was sacked 3 times in the game by the Kansas City defense.
The 25-yard pass to RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis early in 3rd quarter pushed Brady past Boomer Esiason into 15th all-time in passing yards.
WR Wes Welker now has catches in 92 consecutive games including playoffs, 75 as a Patriot. The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.
WR Julian Edelman played DB in the dime package through out the game in 3rd and long situations for Kansas City.
Edelman returned a punt for his second career return TD.
CB Kyle Arrington had two-drive killing INT’s of Kansas City QB Tyler Palko. He now has a league leading 7 INT’s on the season.
TE Rob Gronkowski had 2 TD catches to set a new standard for TE’s with 20 TD’s in his first 26 games.
DE Mark Anderson has 1.5 sacks he now has 7 on the season. He shared one with DE Andre Carter.
CB Phillip Adams had an INT of Palko in the 4th quarter in the end zone that killed a Chiefs drive.
LB Rob Ninkovich had a sack of Palko in the 4th quarter.
RT Marcus Cannon made his NFL debut in the 4th quarter. It’s his first action after recovering from cancer.
RB Shane Vereen scored his first NFL TD late in the 4th quarter.
S James Ihedigbo was injured (shoulder) in first quarter. He returned.
WR Deion Branch suffering from tight hamstring. He did return.
C Dan Connolly aggravated his injury (groin) went to locker room in 2nd quarter. He did return.
Arrington suffered an arm injury in the 4th quarter. He did return.
LT Matt Light suffered an injury (leg) in the 4th quarter. He did not return.
Prior to the game New England released OL Donald Thomas and promoted S Ross Ventrone to the 53-man roster.
New England is now plus 5 in turnover differential.
The last Chiefs victory in Foxboro was on December 2, 1990 when they won 37-7.
This was Chiefs QB Tyler Palko’s first NFL start.
Palko was sacked 3 times and threw 3 INT’s all in New England territory; one was in the end zone.
Prior to the game Kansas City placed QB Matt Cassel on the IR.
Chiefs attempted onside kick after Ryan Succup 1st qtr field goal but were flagged when it was touched before it went 10 yards.
Kansas City DE Justin Houston was injured in 2nd quarter. He returned.
Clete Blakeman was the game referee; he is in his 2nd season as a referee. This was his first Patriots game.
The temp at kickoff was 33 and it was clear with a light wind.
Pro Bowl voting is open feel free to cast your votes for deserving players.
Attendance: 68,756 at Gillette Stadium; Foxboro MA – Sell Out
Post Game Interviews
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Patriots QB Tom Brady post game press conferences via patriots.com
This Week in the AFC East
Denver edged the NY Jets, 17-13
Miami demolished Buffalo, 35-8
AFC East Standings
Patriots 7-3/3-1
Jets 5-5/2-2
Bills 5-5/1-2
Dolphins 3-7/1-2
Next Game
The Patriots visit the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA on Sunday. Kick off is at 4:15 p.m. on CBS.
Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem
Photo credit: Getty Images
