Kansas City Chiefs: 5 Takeaways From Win over Patriots

FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Kareem Hunt /

The Kansas City Chiefs just sent a message to the rest of the NFL. Don’t fear the New England Patriots, for the mighty must fall some time.

That certainly is how things looked after the Chiefs clobbered them 42-27 in Foxborough. This has to go down as one of the most shocking upsets in the past decade and certainly the most shocking opening night this side of the millennium. The Patriots never give up 40+ points, never give up 500 yards and never lose a game when they hold a lead going into the 4th quarter. All of those narratives came crashing down in this game.

People will want to talk about what’s wrong with the Patriots, but what about what’s right with the Chiefs? Here are five takeaways from the action for K.C.

Welcome to the NFL, Kareem Hunt

The buzz was already building around rookie Kareem Hunt during the preseason. People were saying this kid could play. Then he fumbles on his first official carry. Almost everybody assuming he was about to crash and burn. Over 230 total yards and three touchdowns later, it’s clear that the first feeling may have been the right one. As usual this team has once again found a way to manufacture quality play out of the running back position.

Patrick Mahomes may have to wait awhile

People have never given Alex Smith enough credit for his mental toughness. After what he went through in San Francisco with the offensive coordinators and then the Colin Kaepernick, one would think his mind would be broken. Instead he came to Kansas City and made two Pro Bowls. Even now though people continue to doubt him, as the drafting of Patrick Mahomes proved. Did he panic? Please. Smith instead turned in arguably his greatest regular season performance ever.

Don’t ignore the loss of Eric Berry

Great as the victory was, it’s hard not to say it was bittersweet. In the midst of a huge performance by the Chiefs, it’s possible they may have lost one of their critical leaders. In the closing moments of the game safety Eric Berry went down with a noticeable limp. Word has since come out that it’s feared to be a torn Achilles tendon. If true that would mean Berry is likely done for the year. Though Kansas City has survived without him before, it’s still a crushing setback.

Marcus Peters is a S-T-U-D

Tom Brady clearly missed Julian Edelman. Like a lot. Even though the Patriots put up 27 points. Brady still didn’t quite look like himself. One of the big problems was cornerback Marcus Peters. Every time Brady looked his way there wasn’t an open guy. Peters was thrown at one time and it was incomplete. People can never truly understand the value of a shutdown corner until they have one. Peters might be in line for the best season of his career.

Andy Reid may just be Bill Belichick’s kryptonite

Bill Belichick is a lock first ballot Hall of Fame coach. You can kiss his five rings as proof. However, even the best head coaches always had a certain rival who gave them fits. Tom Landry had Chuck Noll. Bill Walsh had John Robinson and Vince Lombardi had George Wilson. For Belichick that man might be Andy Reid. In the past three seasons Reid has handed him two of the worst defeats during his entire coaching tenure and this one may hurt the most after humiliating his defense for over 500 yards.

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