NFL Recap (Kansas City-New England)
Posted: Sun October 11, 1998 at 5:56 p.m. EDT
NEW ENGLAND 40, KANSAS CITY 10
FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- The New England Patriots
turned Elvis Grbac's
return into a nightmare.
Drew Bledsoe fired
three touchdown passes as the Patriots embarrassed the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-10,
to move into first place in the AFC East. New England (4-1) won its fourth
straight and took a half game lead over the Miami Dolphins, who play
at Jacksonville Monday night.
Adam Vinatieri
booted four field goals for the Patriots, who have averaged 31.8 points
since a season-opening loss at Denver. New England improved to 15-4 at
Foxboro Stadium since 1996, including a 3-0 mark this season.
"Just about everything that could go right for us did," said Bledsoe.
"It's so great to win like that against a good team. When we can run the
ball like that effectively we become very difficult to handle."
Patriots coach Pete Carroll said his players were motivated by the
prospect of having an extra day off in practice.
"With a day like that there's enough praise to go around," said
Carroll. "Our guys were really determined to get a day off. They get a day
off because of today. I don't think there's any area of the game we didn't
feel good about today."
Grbac, replacing Rich
Gannon, started for the first time since injuring his shoulder in the
season opener but did not prevent the Chiefs from suffering their worst
loss since a 44-10 defeat at Buffalo on October 30th, 1994.
"There are a lot of situations when you're on the road against a good
team like this that some points are going to be put on the board and you've
got to answer," said Grbac. "We didn't do that. As an offense we didn't
play to the level I think we can play at."
It was the most points allowed by the Chiefs (4-2) since a 45-28 loss
to the Miami Dolphins on December 12th, 1994 while Kansas City coach Marty
Schottenheimer lost for the first time in six games against the Patriots.
"There's not a great deal to be said about our performance today,"
said Schottenheimer. "It was a game in which we made enough errors to last
a season."
The Patriots enjoyed a huge statistical edge, outgaining Kansas City,
438-134. Grbac was 14-of-29 for 144 yards, but was sacked four times for 24
yards in losses. The Chiefs rushed for just 14 yards on 11 carries.
"New England is an excellent football team," added Schottenheimer.
"Clearly that scoreboard says it all. They are strong in every area. In my
opinion, they're the best football team we've played and that includes the
Minnesota Vikings who
we played in preseason."
Robert Edwards
became the first rookie since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to start a career
with a rushing touchdown in five straight games when he scored on a
one-yard run to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead with 4:53 left in the first
quarter.
Edwards rushed for 104 yards on 23 carries, his first career 100-yard
game, while Bledsoe completed 17-of-26 for 226 yards. The Patriots gained
206 yards on the ground.
"Each game that I play with these guys I feel I'm getting better,"
said Edwards. "I think this was the best we've played as far as running the
ball goes."
The Patriots erupted for 20 points in the second period to open a 27-0
cushion at halftime. Bledsoe tossed a 15-yard TD pass to Edwards and a
two-yard scoring strike to tight end Ben Coates while Vinatieri
added two field goals, including a 27-yarder as time expired.
Bledsoe and Coates hooked up again for an 11-yard TD pass in the third
quarter and Vinatieri kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it 37-0. Coates
caught his first two touchdowns of the season, raising his career total to
44.
The Chiefs finally got on the board on Grbac's eight-yard TD pass to
Derrick Alexander with
52 seconds left in the third quarter before Pete Stoyanovich and
Vinatieri traded field goals in the final period.
"We really wanted to go into the bye week and be 5-1,' said Chiefs
wide receiver Kevin
Lockett. "It didn't happen. We've got some time to come out and bounce
back against Pittsburgh (on October 26th)."
Patriots defensive end Willie McGinest left with
a twisted left knee while Chiefs cornerback Dale Carter did not return
after injuring his right knee. Kansas City played without cornerback James Hasty, who was
nursing a shoulder injury.
"My knee will be fine," said McGinest. "You got to play with the minor
bumps and bruises. We can play better than today. We didn't shut them out.
Everybody on this defense is feeling more and more confident about what
we're supposed to do."
© 1998 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
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