Kansas City is dealing with injury issues of their own.
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He may need both his arm and his legs for the Chiefs to earn the victory against the playoff-tested Patriots. He’s also the career post-season leader in several categories including most touchdown passes thrown (53) and most passing yards (7,345). The Steelers were able to beat the Broncos in Pittsburgh last month but this is going to be a much tougher challenge. They are seemingly on a different trajectory as they square off at Gillette Stadium (4:35 p.m.), and although the Patriots are 4 1/2-point favorites, there’s always the lesson of 2014. With a week of rest, the Patriots will be a healthier team than the team that limped into the playoffs, winning only two of their last six starts.
“I wouldn’t think Brady will throw outside the numbers a whole lot, ” Edwards said. “We just try to ignore the noise”. Gronkowski has a lengthy injury history but he was mostly reliable this season, so his injuries are coming at a bad time.
How relevant is last season’s loss?
Both Edelman and Amendola are expected back Saturday, but Martin still should see time as the Patriots’ primary return man and as a backup receiver.
The 26-year-old practiced last Wednesday but was limited because of the knee, and in a report by ESPN, got treatment for the injury on Thursday. Still, the Chiefs don’t commit many mistakes on offense and somehow, Smith has led the Chiefs to the No. 9 scoring offense in the league, surprisingly. Jeremy Maclin had 29 yards in three receptions before he was injured.
The Patriots are not the same team that there were a year ago, and that can be said by any organization.
“They haven’t lost in so long, it’s not like you can go into a game and say, ‘Here’s how someone defeated them, ‘ ” Belichick told reporters. “I could just Xerox you a copy of the game plan and you can send it over to Kansas City and look at it. It might be easier for all of us”. We’ll definitely have to take that into consideration.
“He’s a really smart kid and I think he’s learned a ton this year as the season goes on”, Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said.
During the regular season, only one kicker made more field goals than Gostkowski, who was 33 for 36.
I don’t know if I truly believe this, or its just me growing up hating the Patriots, but I have the Chiefs edging them out in a close one. The Chiefs ranked just 30 in pass offense this season (203.4 yards), but sixth in rush offense (127.8 yards) even with Jamaal Charles going down.
Of more immediate concern is Kansas City’s streak. Against the Texans, they played efficient and smart football which resulted in a dominating display.
Belichick, of course, is all about the next game.
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The Chiefs defense is one of the best in the league ranking in the top ten in yards per game allowed, and ranking third allowing under 18 points a contest.
