Chiefs get 8 turnovers, take 2 for TDs in 24-3 win over Jets
KANSAS CITY, MO. >> The Kansas City Chiefs returned two turnovers for touchdowns, intercepted three passes in the end zone and forced eight turnovers total in a 24-3 victory over the hapless New York Jets on Sunday.
Marcus Peters had two of the picks for the Chiefs (2-1), including the first of four off the Jets’ Ryan Fitzpatrick in the fourth quarter. Daniel Sorenson had another, Derrick Johnson returned his 55 yards for a touchdown, and D.J. White snagged his in the end zone with 1:54 left in the game.
The eight turnovers were the most by the Jets (1-2) since they set a franchise record with 10 in a loss to the New England Patriots on Nov. 21, 1976.
Alex Smith was 25 of 33 for 237 yards and a touchdown for Kansas City, while Spencer Ware added 75 yards rushing. But it was the performance of the defense — and all those Jets turnovers — that helped the Chiefs bounced back from their first regular-season defeat in 12 games.
Eric Berry picked off a pass in the end zone late in the third quarter, and a fumbled kick return by the Jets’ Jalin Marshall was returned 27 yards by Demetrius Harris for another score.
Fitzpatrick was dismal a week after torching Buffalo, going 20 of 44 for 188 yards. His six picks were a career high, surpassing the five that he threw for St. Louis against Minnesota in 2005, and tied a franchise record.
The Jets’ Matt Forte, who scored three times against the Bills, was held to just 65 yards rushing.
Not that the Chiefs were infallible.
They appeared to take a 24-3 lead in the third quarter when Ware stretched the ball into the pylon for a touchdown. But the officials reviewed the play and saw the ball beginning to come out, and decided that it was a fumble resulting in a touchback for New York.
The Chiefs also were stuffed on fourth-andinches at the Jets 39 early in the fourth quarter.
TURNOVER TROUBLE
Things could have been worse for New York. Berry and Sorenson dropped picks before Sorenson hauled in his, and Fitzpatrick fell on his own fumble earlier in the game.
PETERS A ‘PICKER
It was the second straight two-interception day for Peters, who has quickly become one of the league’s top cornerbacks. He had eight as a rookie in the regular season a year ago.
DECKER MIA
Jets wide receiver Eric Decker had his streak of touchdowns in six straight games come to an end. Decker, who has scored 15 times in his last 19 games, had one catch for 31 yards.
MARSHALL PLAYS
The Jets’ Brandon Marshall was active after missing practice earlier in the week with a slightly sprained knee. But shadowed by Peters and Berry, the star wide receiver had a tough time getting open. He finished with three catches for 27 yards.
INJURY REPORT
Jets: CB Darrelle Revis was evaluated for an eye injury and missed the final series of the first half. He returned after the break . ... DL Lawrence Thomas left in the first half with a shoulder injury . ... LB Erin Henderson was inactive because of a foot sprain.
Chiefs: RB Jamaal Charles (ACL surgery) remained inactive for the third straight week, but coach Andy Reid insisted the four-time Pro Bowl selection is getting closer to playing.