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Monday Night Football: New England marches on

By The Associated Press

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sometimes so many New England Patriots make big plays that Tom Brady gets overlooked.

Nobody could miss him last night.

The unassuming quarterback threw for 315 yards, including a touchdown pass to Deion Branch, and the Patriots beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-19 for their 24th victory in 25 games. New England won its third straight since its NFL-record 21-game winning streak was snapped last month in Pittsburgh.

Typically, the Patriots (9-1) didn't seem satisfied as they pursue their third NFL title in four seasons.

"We're still trying to improve," Brady said. "We left some points out on the field tonight."

The Chiefs think Brady, as usual, was understating his team's excellence.

"He just carries himself so well," linebacker Scott Fujita said. "He sees defenses real well. I could feel the confidence coming from their sideline. It was impressive."

The Patriots' defense also contributed by shutting down a Kansas City running game missing Priest Holmes, out with a knee injury. The Chiefs gained just 64 yards rushing, exactly 100 yards less than their average.

But Trent Green took advantage of injuries in the New England secondary, throwing for 381 yards, including TD passes of 65 and 26 yards to Eddie Kennison. The Patriots played without starting cornerbacks Ty Law and Tyrone Poole.

The second score to Kennison came after Corey Dillon, who had two short touchdown runs, fumbled at the Kansas City 3 as the Patriots seemed set to take a 31-13 lead. Instead, Green drove the Chiefs the length of the field to cut their deficit to 24-19 with 6:13 left — a two-point conversion attempt failed.
 
The Chiefs, however, couldn't stop the Patriots, who used up nearly 4-1/2 minutes on a drive that ended with Adam Vinatieri's 28-yard field goal. That almost guaranteed that the Chiefs (3-7) will miss the playoffs after going 13-3 last season.

"They're an excellent team. They showed why they are champions," Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil said. "All I can tell our players is shake their hands, say good job and move on."

Dillon, the former Washington Husky who carried 26 times for 98 yards, had two runs for one first down to start that last drive. Then Brady, who completed 17 of 26 passes, hit Christian Fauria for 14 yards and Branch for 9 yards more. Branch finished with six catches for 105 yards.