Chiefs’ Rookie Kareem Hunt Scores Three Touchdowns, Kansas City Routs New England

Kareem Hunt, the Kansas City Chiefs third round draft pick who played college football at Toledo, had a memorable debut in the NFL in the opening game of the 2017 season at New England September 7th. He fumbled on his first rushing attempt. Undaunted, Hunt made up for the gaffe many times over. He rushed for 148 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns as the Chiefs beat the Patriots 42-27.

One of Hunt’s touchdowns came on this 78 yard reception from Alex Smith:

Smith and Patriots’ QM Tom Brady seemed to switch roles in this game. Brady completed 16 of 36 passes for 267 yards and no touchdowns, while Smith was 28 of 35 for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Neither QB threw an interception. Mike Gillislee rushed for three touchdowns f or New England.

New England had a 17-7 lead in the second quarter, and it was looking like another Patriot victory at Gillette Stadium was in the works. But the Chiefs stepped up on both sides of the ball, and were especially dominating in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points. While it’s far too early to write off the Patriots, they will have to address their defense, which allowed 537 yards and six touchdowns. New England will next play at New Orleans on September 17th, and Saints QB Drew Brees will inflict even more damage if the defense shows no improvement. Kansas City will host Philadelphia the same day.