National Football League

Chiefs trying to right wrongs as Jets visit with hot offense

Published Sep. 23, 2016 1:06 a.m. ET

foxsports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Kansas City Chiefs couldn't get out of their own way in a frustrating Week 2 loss in Houston, a litany of penalties, turnovers and miscues last Sunday spoiling their chance of a 2-0 start.

Probably made it tough to watch film of the Jets this week, too.

New York did just about everything right - offensively, at least - in a 37-31 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 370 yards without a pick, running back Matt Forte continued his torrid start, and the Jets (1-1) finished with nearly 500 yards of total offense last week.

In fact, it was hard to find any issues when New York had the ball - all 40 minutes of it.

''They've done a great job of putting this thing together,'' Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of his counterpart, Todd Bowles, and Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan.

''Todd is steering there ship here with the players. They're developing into his personality, which is smart and tough.''

Reid should know about Bowles: They crossed paths in the 1990s in Green Bay, and Reid made him the interim defensive coordinator during his final season in Philadelphia in 2012.

''They play good, solid football,'' Reid said. ''That's how they do it.''

That's how the Chiefs should start doing it.

They lost three fumbles last week against the Texans . They were flagged nine times for 77 yards. They were 0 for 2 in the red zone and converted just three times on third down.

In short, it was anything but solid football.

''It comes down to lack of execution. I know you guys hate hearing that,'' Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. ''This past week I think every single drive we had, be it a penalty, a turnover, a negative play - that stalls a drive. And those are hard to overcome against a good defense.''

As the Chiefs try to turn things around, and the Jets look to keep their momentum going, here are some of the story lines worth watching:

INJURY REPORT: Jamaal Charles has been working out for weeks but has yet to be active on game day for the Chiefs. The playmaking running back tore his right ACL in Week 5 last season and Reid is making sure Charles is 100 percent before turning him loose.

Meanwhile, Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been dealing with a slight knee sprain that he hurt against Buffalo. Marshall has nine catches for 133 yards this season.

FORTE'S START: The Jets' Matt Forte has been the workhorse out of the backfield, ranking second in the league with 196 yards on 53 carries. He also tied a career best last Thursday night when he ran for three touchdowns in a 37-31 victory at Buffalo.

''There's potential for us to be, when we're hitting on all cylinders, to be really, really good,'' Forte said of the offense. ''But what I've always said about potential, it's always up there. You've just got to go up there and get it.''

The 30-year-old Forte needs one TD catch to join Marshall Faulk, Marcus Allen, Thurman Thomas and Herschel Walker as the only players in NFL history with 8,000 yards rushing, 4,000 yards receiving and 20 touchdown receptions in his career.

REVIS ISLAND: Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis struggled mightily in Week 1 against Cincinnati's A.J. Green, then had his hands full against Buffalo's Marquise Goodwin - an abysmal start that has many wondering whether the 31-year-old has finally lost a step.

''He's getting older, but he's wiser,'' Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. ''I want him to get old. I'm going to try to talk to you long enough that he gets old.''

Revis isn't the only one having issues, though. New York is ranked 26th in pass defense.

FITZ FLASHES: Ryan Fitzpatrick was the AFC offensive player of the week after directing New York to a win that included 493 total yards, 28 first downs and seven drives of 56 yards or longer, all of which produced points in the red zone.

Fitzpatrick finished 24 of 34 for 374 yards and a touchdown. And according to the Jets, the offense set a team record for yardage (364) by wide receivers in a game: Eric Decker (126 yards), Brandon Marshall (101), Quincy Enunwa (92) and Jalin Marshall (45).

FASTER STARTS: The Chiefs have managed only a field goal in the first half of each of their first two games, and the resulting deficit has forced them to abandon their vaunted run game early.

Kansas City knows that keeping up with the Jets' offense will require a better start .

''I think it's just getting in a groove,'' Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley said. ''We have to find our way earlier. Once we get rolling, our offense will start doing the things you're used to seeing.''

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL