4 Ups, 4 Downs: Brady, Patriots Offense Continues To Struggle In Blowout Loss To Chiefs
BOSTON (CBS) --If you thought the Patriots' Week 3 win over the Oakland Raiders was ugly, their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night was downright horrifying.
While the defense had played well the first three weeks of the season and the offense had some catching up to do, they were both equally as bad against the Chiefs. Their 41-14 loss is one of the worst under Bill Belichick, and it will just add more fuel to that "overrated" fire that has been burning since New England's Week 1 loss in Miami.
And now the Patriots have a short week to prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals, who are coming off their bye week.
But before we worry too much about next Sunday, we'll take a look at what went wrong (and a few things that went right) in Kansas City.
Downs
Brady, Offense Does Nothing
And nothing is a bit of an understatement.
Tom Brady looked like a rookie quarterback, forcing throws late in the game and getting picked off twice in the second half. He fumbled deep in their own zone, which led to an easy KC touchdown. Brady sat out the end of this one, making way for Jimmy Garoppolo to make his NFL debut (more on that in a minute). He also passed up a chance to run for a first down on a third-and-short, but threw it incomplete instead.
It was so bad, Bill was actually asked if the QB position would be evaluated this week. He shot the reporter a look, gave a snicker, and moved on.
Brady will be back in next Sunday against the Bengals, but he and everyone else on the offense will have to be a lot better against an even better defense.
Brady wasn't the only horror show on the offense. Nate Solder was benched -- for Marcus Cannon, who was on the bench to start the game after being replaced by a rookie -- after being beat badly by Tamba Hali leading to Brady's fumble.
The offense made it to the red zone just once -- and that was when Garoppolo was under center.
It's not going to be a pretty film session Tuesday in Foxboro.
Third Down Offense
Where are you Kevin Faulk? The Patriots were just 2-for-9 on third down offense.
Secondary Tumbles
Darrelle Revis looked human early in this one, with Dwayne Bowe getting the best of the All Pro corner. Logan Ryan's penalty at the end of the half gave Kansas City three extra points, earning him a tongue-lashing from Belichick and a spot in the bench in the second half.
Alex Smith had his way with the Patriots' secondary, completing 20 of his 26 passes for 248 yards. It didn't help matters that there was very little pressure on Smith throughout the game, but the secondary will have to be much better.
The good news is, Brandon Browner can suit up against Cincy.
Dobson, Thompkins Inactive
Aaron Dobson was inactive for the second straight game and third overall this season, which is not a good sign for the second-year wide out who came into training camp injured.
Thompkins was also inactive, his second healthy scratch of the season. He had just one catch on one target in Week 3 when he was on the field, so it doesn't look as though he's earning his spot early in the season.
Bill Belichick made a point to say in his pregame interview with Scott Zolak on 98.5 The Sports Hub that the receivers getting open quickly would be a big key during the game. That's something both Dobson and Thompkins have struggled with this season, and Belichick obviously didn't think they could do that in Kansas City.
Ups
LaFell Catching On
After hauling in a grand total of four receptions in the first three weeks of the season (all last week against Oakland), LaFell chimed in with a team-high six receptions for 119 yards, including a nice 44-yard touchdown catch-and-run.
After a rocky start, it looks like LaFell is catching on. With guys they drafted last year struggling to even make the game-day roster, Brady could use another veteran receiver at his disposal.
Matthew Slater
He's the captain of special teams for a reason. And when there isn't many other positives in a game, he can get the credit he deserves for jetting down the field at full speed, making a tackle and setting the opposition up deep in their own zone.
Jimmy's First TD
Not only was it Garoppolo's first touchdown pass, but Rob Gronkowski looked like Rob Gronkowski, fighting his way through a handful of KC defenders to find the end zone.
Stork Released
The rookie center got his first career start, and held his own against a tough Kansas City pass rush.
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