Chiefs notebook: There were two key turning points in AFC playoff loss

On the first drive of the game Rob Gronkowski opened the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown reception, capping an 80-yard drive and giving New England an early edge they would never relinquish.

Cairo Santos kicked a 32-yard field goal with 12 seconds remaining in the second quarter to pull Kansas City within 14-6 at half-time.

Kansas City answered with Alex Smith connecting on a 10-yard touchdown pass to Albert Wilson to lift the Chiefs within 21-13.

West scored a touchdown with 1:13 left, and Reid preserved his three timeouts if the Chiefs were successful on the ensuing on-side kick. He caught seven passes – including his seventh and eight postseason TDs, a Patriots record and a record for National Football League tight ends.

Brady got his 9th career 300-yard passing postseason game, tied for first all-time.

Julian Edelman returned from a broken foot to catch 10 passes for 100 yards for New England. Not coincidentally, two of their biggest offensive stars provided the biggest lifts in a 27-20 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC divisional round playoff game Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

‘BIG BEN’ QUESTIONABLE, BROWN AND WILLIAMS OUT FOR STEELERS NFL receptions leader Antonio Brown and Pittsburgh rushing leader DeAngelo Williams were ruled out Friday for Sunday’s playoff game at Denver, putting a huge load on questionable quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Often criticized during his Philadelphia tenure for his time management, head coach Andy Reid was again left to defend his use of the clock during a wrap-up news conference at the practice facility Sunday. With New England facing a second-and-12 in the final minute, he caught a pass that deflected off Kansas City’s Tamba Hali for 12 yards for a clinching first down. New England is 63-0 since 2001 when leading a home game by at least 15 points.

The second half saw the first turnover of the game when Knile Davis gave up a fumble to the Patriots defense. Whether we play here or whether we play there, you’re going to have to play really well. “We will be ready to come back next year”. They crossed the goal line after wasting tons of clock to make the score 27-20 with 1:13left. The pass to Martin came after the Patriots started on their own 2-yard line after a good punt and a penalty.

New England managed a field goal after getting the ball back despite Brandon LaFell looking as though he doesn’t even practice with the Patriots. I think there is some gitters and trying to do too much to try and make a play before I have the ball in my hands and then just excitement. Maclin finished with two catches for 23 yards, and his playing time was affected because of the injury. “I mean, if you get any yards there, you’ve probably got points and we weren’t able to do anything”.

Brady, seeking his seventh Super Bowl trip and fifth title, threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score – and he and his mates wait to see who they’ll play. That’s the way we’ll take it. We’ll learn from our mistakes.

And to follow up on the totally weird, defensive end Chandler Jones was indeed in the Patriots’ starting lineup. This was the first playoff meeting between the two original AFL teams….