KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A few thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs' 34-7 win over the St. Louis Rams at Arrowhead Stadium:
What it means: The Chiefs, after beginning the season 0-2, are over .500 for the first time this season at 4-3. They’ll be 5-3 if they can beat the forlorn New York Jets at Arrowhead next Sunday. After what they’ve been through this season -- including the slow start, a difficult schedule and a bunch of injuries -- the Chiefs would gladly take 5-3 at the season's midpoint.
Stock watch: Rookie kicker Cairo Santos made a pair of field goal attempts, including a 53-yarder late in the first half, to put the Chiefs ahead 10-7. Santos has now made eight straight field goal tries. Linebacker Justin Houston had three sacks, giving him 10 this season. Running back Jamaal Charles had a slow start but wound up rushing for 73 yards and two touchdowns. Left tackle Eric Fisher hasn’t played well this season, but he had one of his worst games.
Chiefs turn up the heat: The game turned in the second quarter when, with the score tied 7-7, the Rams recovered a Kansas City fumble at the Chiefs’ 8-yard line. Tamba Hali's pressure forced Rams quarterback Austin Davis from the pocket for a 1-yard gain on second down. Then Ron Parker sacked Davis for a 14-yard loss on third down, forcing a 38-yard field goal attempt. Greg Zuerlein's kick went wide right, and the Rams came away without any points. Parker’s sack was one of seven for the Chiefs on Sunday.
Game ball: Knile Davis returned the second-half kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to break open what had been a close game. It was the first special-teams touchdown of the season for the Chiefs. Davis returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown last season against the Denver Broncos.
What's next: The Chiefs continue their two-game homestand with next Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Kickoff is again at noon CT.