Kansas City linebacker Josh Mauga, right, and teammate Allen Bailey work to bring down New England running back Shane Vereen during the Chiefs' 41-14 rout over the Patriots on Monday in Kansas City.
The defense came to life against one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the NFL.
And it didn’t hurt that a nationally televised audience witnessed the resurgence of the Kansas City Chiefs evening their record after completely dominating the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.
The Chiefs defense recorded their first takeaway of the season as they frustrated Tom Brady and the Patriots offense, winning 41-14 at Arrowhead Stadium, where they reclaimed the record for loudest outdoor sports venue at 142.2 decibels, breaking the mark of 137.6 set during a Seahawks game at CenturyLink Field.
“I’ve got the ultimate respect for Bill Belichick and his football team as does our team,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid told the team website. “We know the quality, not only the coach that he is and coaches that he has, but also of their players. Sometimes things get a little one sided in the National Football League, but he still has a very good football team. I think they will prove out with time. I’m very proud of my guys tonight for the effort they gave tonight against a good football team.”
Fallon’s Josh Mauga finished second on the team in tackles for Kansas City in his fourth start of the season, filling in for the injured Joe Mays, who is expected to return this month. Mauga, though, was seen several times penetrating through the trenches and forcing pressure on Brady. On one play, Brady thought about scrambling for a first down but saw Mauga and then threw an incomplete pass downfield.
The Chiefs picked Brady off twice, including one returned for a touchdown, and also strip-sacked the Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
“We were able to get some takeaways today which I thought was huge,” Reid said. “(Defensive coordinator) Bob (Sutton) had a phenomenal game plan, the players executed like clockwork.”
The offense was just as impressive with Jamaal Charles returning from injury. The veteran running back ran for 92 yards and a touchdown and also caught two touchdown passes from Alex Smith. Smith threw for three touchdowns and 248 yards.
The Chiefs (2-2) travel to San Francisco this weekend where Smith will be reunited with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in the draft out of Utah. The return also marks the second trip to the Bay Area for Mauga, who visited Oakland with the Jets in 2011.