So the Chiefs beat the Patriots in the season opener...

[True Dough]

What happened there? The Patriots just suffered some lapses that they will undoubtedly correct and go on to have another stellar season, or is it that the Chiefs are a legitimate force to be reckoned with?

[stopbush]

1. NE defense is a mess. Lots of new players who don't know the system.

Chiefs back Hunt made his NFL debut gaining over 240 yds and scoring like 3 touchdowns. Their QB had a rare 350+ yard game.

Tom Shady sucked - no TDs, went like 16 for 36.

Hate the Pats. Glad they got clobbered. Fucking serial cheaters.

[trc]

2. I am a long suffering Chiefs fan

and I will admit that I do not recognize the Chiefs QB because that game was not a Smith game at all. He had time, vision and a willingness to throw downfield, it was crazy. May be an interesting year...but we may have lost Berry for the year as well. Love the game of football but now that I am in my mid 50's I can't imagine the pain those guys live with as they age out of the game. I have joint pain just from an average active life, these guys must suffer a good deal as the years pile on, not to mention CTE. But I digress.

[redstateblues]

3. I read somewhere that 2/3 of NFL players have permanent injuries

[JonLP24]

11. I remember he had Kelce open on a crossing route -- though the safety discouraged him from throwing

the ball but it made the higher read and made the throw. He was really impressive.

[JayhawkSD]

4. That game was a whole truckload of fun.

"The Patriots just suffered some lapses ... or is it that the Chiefs are a legitimate force to be reckoned with?"

Both. The Patriots defense stunk - was listless and looked confused and lost all night. Offense simply could not quite figure out KC's defense, which is a three man, sometimes two man, pass rush for several plays and then sends two linebackers the next. Kept them off balance and reduced Brady to 44% pass completion.

Don't underestimate the Chiefs. They have had a very good defense, and a better than decent passing game for several years. And now, oh look, they can run the ball too. They are going to be a force.

[Lint Head]

5. I think Brady's pride was deflated. Seemed like the air was let out of the Patriots confidence.

They just fell flat.

[trotsky]

8. LOL, nice. n/t

[DinahMoeHum]

6. Methinks the KC Chiefs are that good.

And considering that Dont’a Hightower and Danny Amendola went out with injuries, as well as the loss of Edelman in the preseason and Martellus Bennett leaving for the Green Bay Packers, it will be interesting to see how the Patriots go the rest of the season.

At least we don't get to hear their insufferable sports media people speculate on a perfect season anymore.

[MFM008]

7. Spot on!!

Arrogance is its own reward. ..

[NotASurfer]

9. The Dark Side of the Force is strong in Belichick

All part of his plan...losing makes the Pats angry...then they feel the hatred...and the Dark Side becomes more powerful...

Or am I thinking Bannon here?

Getting to where there are too many Sith running around these days

[JonLP24]

10. The Chiefs came in with a good gameplan

Kansas City didn't do anything surprising, they play a lot of press coverage and they have legitimate players. This version of KC has made the playoffs in the past 5 years plus people knew that rookie Hunt would have a great season.

[Iggo]

12. It was 28-27 with twelve minutes left when I turned it off to watch other stuff.

What happened in those last twelve minutes?

Special teams? Lucky bounces? Did the Pats defense just suck?

[JonLP24]

13. It was all KC offense

I think teams typically are gassed by the 4th quarter in week 1. I don't think nE could cover all their speedy guys + Travis Kelce who the defense was focusing on allowing others to be wide open plus their speedy running back closed them out.