Patriots overcome slow start, rout Chiefs

Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes to tight end Rob Gronkowski as the host Patriots shook off a sluggish start to beat the Chiefs, 34-3, Monday night.

Julian Edelman returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown and Kyle Arrington had two interceptions, giving him a league-leading seven. The Patriots (7-3) increased their AFC East lead to two games over the Jets and Bills.

Kansas City (4-6) didn't do much on offense behind Tyler Palko, making his first career start with Matt Cassel out for the season with an injured throwing hand. Palko threw three interceptions as the Chiefs lost their third in a row.

Lovie: Cutler to return this season

The Bears are confident quarterback Jay Cutler will return this season from a broken thumb on his throwing hand. Even so, it's a major blow for the team.

Cutler needs surgery and will be out "for an extended time," coach Lovie Smith said. He would not say when the operation will take place, just "hopefully fairly quick."

"Is it a season-ending injury? No," Smith said. "From what I've been told right now, we can expect him back at the end of the regular season." The regular-season finale is Jan. 1 at Minnesota.

The Bears (7-3) will turn to Caleb Hanie against Oakland this weekend and will look to bring in a veteran quarterback. Hanie has thrown only 14 regular-season passes in four years, but he had a touchdown pass and completed 13 of 20 in the NFC Championship Game loss to Green Bay last season after Cutler was injured.

Injury report

Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has an injured right elbow, and Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has a high left ankle sprain.

Also hurt Sunday were Cardinals nose tackle Dan Williams, gone for the season with a broken left arm; Bills cornerback Terrence McGee (knee), who also is likely done for 2011, and Bills running back Fred Jackson (right calf).

Raiders receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was feeling better a day after being carted off the field with his neck stabilized after a scary collision with Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson.

Lions-Saints moves to prime time

The Lions-Saints game Dec. 4 will be featured on NBC's "Sunday Night Football." Colts-Patriots was originally in that slot. -- AP