The score from the Kansas City Chiefs loss to the New England Patriots indicates a blowout -- and it was -- but the Chiefs did some good things given the circumstances, particularly in the first half.
Here's a look at five good stats from Monday Night Football:
0-for-4. The Patriots scoring drives on their first four possessions. We said one of the keys to the game was starting fast and the Chiefs did that defensively by stopping Tom Brady and the Patriots on their first four possessions, including one turnover in that stretch. The Chiefs were in the game after one half because they played good defense for the most part.
3. Sacks by the Chiefs defense. The Chiefs had nine all season entering this game and walked out of the first half with three. From Wallace Gilberry's sack-fumble to Amon Gordon's sack to Tamba Hali getting to Tom Brady, the Chiefs defense showed some pressure in the first half.
25-of-38. Tyler Palko's completion percentage. Considering what I expected, I was impressed with his performance (minus the interceptions, obviously). Palko's offense didn't score any touchdowns but he played as well as you could without putting up points. (Yes, a ringing endorsement.)
6-of-14. Chiefs third down percentage. I could live with that number moving forward. Palko and the Chiefs offense couldn't convert their drives into points but they did show flashes at times of being able to move the ball.
160. Receiving yards from Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston. I'm putting this here because I had expected to see the Chiefs take it extremely cautious with Palko and simply dump a bunch of passes into the flat. They didn't take a bunch of shots down field but Palko did move the ball to his receivers.