Patriots ready for undefeated Chiefs
The New England Patriots matchup with the Chiefs Sunday night has many thinking this Kansas City team couldn’t possibly be beaten. Head coach Bill Belichick dismissed the idea that this game is anything special – saying we are playing Kansas City. In their last two regular-season meetings, the Chiefs have blown out the Patriots. The problem for the Chiefs is that it is October now and they are likely getting nervous.
The Chiefs started 5-0 last year – only to finish 10-6 and lose in the wild-card Round in the playoffs. The Chiefs have an excellent offense – the Patriots, though, should be able to score on the Chiefs defense.
The Chiefs offense has two great pass catchers in Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. If the Patriots limit these two players, they will likely win Sunday night. Sammy Watkins and Chris Conley are good receivers, but Belichick’s game plan will likely focus on Hill and Kelce. Kareem Hunt also poses a strong threat in the running game. It will be challenging for the Patriots to simulate the Chiefs offense in practice this week.
“It’s hard to simulate Mahomes’ arm strength. It’s hard to simulate Kelce. Where do you want to start? You can go right down the line. (Chris) Conley, Sammy Watkins, (De’Anthony) Thomas – they’ve got a bunch of them,” Belichick said Wednesday.
SERIES HISTORY: 35th regular-season meeting. Chiefs lead series, 18-13-3. The Chiefs and Patriots are two of the original AFL franchises. Lamar Hunt, whose son Clark now owns the Chiefs, was the founding owner of the Chiefs (nee Dallas Texans) and Billy Sullivan was the founding owner of the Patriots. The two teams first played on November 18, 1960 at Boston University. The Patriots won 42-14. The Patriots beat the Chiefs in the 2015 playoffs 27-20. Tom Brady is 4-3 against Kansas City – having lost his last two regular-season games. Brady lost on the road to Kansas City in 2014 when the Chiefs won 41-14 and last year on opening night at Gillette Stadium 42-27.
