KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A few thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs' 41-14 win over the New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium:
What it means: The Chiefs pulled out of the hole they had put themselves in with their 0-2 start. They're now 2-2, but, perhaps more importantly, the way the Chiefs buried the Patriots makes it easy to see some real possibilities from their season. Their next two games are at San Francisco and at San Diego, but those games no longer look like insurmountable obstacles. If the Chiefs can just split them, they should be in good shape going forward.
Stock watch: The Chiefs utilized Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis liberally in the same game for the first time, and the results were impressive. Each rushed for more than 90 yards and averaged 5 yards per carry. Charles also scored three touchdowns, two as a receiver. Safety Husain Abdullah returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown. Tight end Travis Kelce led the Chiefs in receptions (eight) and receiving yardage (93). Quarterback Alex Smith was 20-of-26 for 248 yards and three touchdowns.
Turning them over, finally: The Chiefs forced three turnovers, their first three of the season. Abdullah's interception return was the first defensive touchdown of the season for the Chiefs. Turnovers and defensive touchdowns were a key part of the Chiefs' 9-0 start last season. If they can get back to regularly forcing them, the Chiefs might have a good thing going on defense.
Game ball: Chiefs fans were outstanding from start to finish. They were loud throughout but never more boisterous than in the second quarter, when they set the new Guinness Book of World Records mark for crowd noise at an outdoor stadium with a level of 142.2 decibels. It's a great time to be a Kansas City sports fan, as the Royals play their first playoff game in 29 years on Tuesday night.
What's next: The Chiefs begin a two-game West Coast swing on Sunday with a game against the 49ers at the new Levi's Stadium.
