Upon Further Review: 10 Quick Facts From Thursday's Victory over New England

Here are some quick facts following the Chiefs’ season-opening win over the Patriots

Sep 08, 2017 at 09:24 AM

Matt McMullen

Chiefs Reporter

1. Kareem Hunt had a record-breaking debut

Rookie running back Kareem Hunt had an NFL debut for the ages on Thursday night, tallying 246 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.

Kareem Hunt had 246 yards from scrimmage Thursday, the most by a player in his NFL debut.

More from @EliasSports: https://t.co/dmF3EHbRo9 pic.twitter.com/9sAFuLrs8P
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017

Kareem Hunt is just the third player since 1950 to score 3+ TDs in his first career game, joining Marshall Faulk ('94) and Billy Sims ('80).
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) September 8, 2017

Also per @PFF, Kareem Hunt saw 68 of his 148 rushing yards come after contact while forcing 5 missed tackles. pic.twitter.com/UkQNu25eYX
— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) September 8, 2017

2. Alex Smith posted one of the best games of his career

Alex Smith's 148.6 passer rating tonight ranks as the fourth-best of his career, and his second-best with Kansas City (158.3 in '13 at OAK).
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) September 8, 2017

His 368 yards passing are the third-most of his career, trailing only the 2015 game at Cincinnati and the playoff game at Indy in 2014. https://t.co/kNQOV3xh1j
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) September 8, 2017

Per @PFF, the #Patriots blitzed Alex Smith on 10 of his drop-backs, and he went 8-10 for 179 yards and 3 TDs on those plays. pic.twitter.com/fNvbJBtTjN
— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) September 8, 2017

Players with 300+ pass yards, 4+ passing TD and 0 INT against a Bill Belichick defense:

Drew Brees (2009)
Alex Smith (tonight)
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) September 8, 2017

Alex Smith of @Chiefs is 1st QB in more than half century with 2 TD passes of 75+ yards on Kickoff Weekend #KCvsNE pic.twitter.com/DeV078QCCK
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) September 8, 2017

3. The Chiefs' offense as a whole was clicking on all cylinders

The Chiefs' 537 total yards of offense tonight were their most since January 1, 2006 vs. Cincinnati (also 537).
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) September 8, 2017

The #Chiefs averaged 8.3 yards per play against the #Patriots.
— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) September 8, 2017

From 2013-16, the Patriots allowed 0 90-yard TD drives at home ...

The Chiefs had 2 90-yard TD drives in the 1st half tonight.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017

4. The Patriots don't lose like that very often, especially at home

The last time the Patriots allowed 41+ points was Sept. 29, 2014 against....Kansas City.
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) September 8, 2017

42 points -- Most points allowed by a Bill Belichick-coached Patriots team (307th game including playoffs).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017

Most points allowed by the the Patriots (Belichick era) ⬇️

📺 | @NFLTotalAccess pic.twitter.com/4Xt2gkMgkL
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 8, 2017

This is the most points the Patriots have allowed at home since Oct. 21, 1984. https://t.co/Yl1AFv4beg
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) September 8, 2017

5. In fact, the Patriots don't lose much at home at all

That's it. Chiefs beat the Patriots 42-27, and hand Pats only their second loss at home to an AFC opponent since 2007
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) September 8, 2017

Chiefs are the first AFC team to beat Tom Brady at home in which he played the whole game since the Jets in Week 10 of 2006. pic.twitter.com/3E5DmkHzgI
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017

6. Tyreek Hill made a big play, as usual

Tyreek Hill has now scored a 65+ yard TD in 5 consecutive regular-season games pic.twitter.com/mTbAmZcdsp
— Randall Liu (@RLiuCBS) September 8, 2017

#Chiefs' Tyreek Hill now has 11 career touchdowns, and he's averaged 47 yards per play on them.

That's ridiculous.
— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) September 8, 2017

Smith hits Hunt for a 78-yard TOUCHDOWN, putting Kansas City back in front, 28-27.

What a night for the rookie out of Toledo.
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) September 8, 2017

Tyreek Hill recorded the 2 fastest times by a ball carrier last season, reaching max speeds of 23.24 MPH & 22.77 MPH (both on KR) pic.twitter.com/7kpbJbupID
— Randall Liu (@RLiuCBS) September 8, 2017

Chiefs had 1 offensive play go for 75+ yards last season. They have 2 TD of 75 yards in this game pic.twitter.com/raQCQXJsQH
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017

7. Kansas City has been tough to beat on the road recently

The Chiefs have won 7 road games in a row over some tough competition. pic.twitter.com/NdgghyE4Cn
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 8, 2017

The @Chiefs have won 7 straight road games, including wins over all 4 teams from the last 2 Super Bowls (CAR, DEN, ATL, NE)
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) September 8, 2017

8. It's just one game, but winning the opener is indicative of future success

Last year, 75% of NFL playoff teams started the season with a win in their opener.

Among playoff teams since 1990, 68% started 1-0.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2017

9. The defense made some big plays in some critical moments

Justin Houston was a force in his return pic.twitter.com/KieiYXaPPg
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) September 8, 2017

Per @PFF, Terrance Mitchell was targeted 9 times & allowed 2 catches, which went for 76 yards.

Had this key pass breakup late in the game. pic.twitter.com/RWTPUWDBsk
— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) September 8, 2017

10. The Chiefs' offensive line was at its best

How the Chiefs O-line held up against New England pic.twitter.com/AtJhfX0KFL
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) September 8, 2017

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.