KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Maybe the Chiefs should have petitioned the NFL to avoid noon kickoffs. They might be 2-0. Kansas City got out of the gate like a beat-up Pinto trying to find first gear on Sunday, the second straight slow start for a team that can ill afford to dig out of holes.

And unlike the previous week, when the Chiefs managed the biggest comeback in franchise history to beat the San Diego Chargers, they were unable to come all the way back in a 19-12 loss to the Houston Texans.

Coach Andy Reid says the Chiefs made too many mistakes to come out on the right end of the score. One thing that might get the Chiefs off to a faster start against the New York Jets this Sunday? The return of four-time Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles, their biggest difference-maker on offense.

Charles has been practicing for several weeks after surgery to repair his torn right ACL last season, but he has been inactive for the first two games. Reid says Charles has told him there’s a chance he could be ready to play against the Jets.