The Patriots’ annual AFC title-game appointment will indeed be kept after New England defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-20, in an AFC divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium.
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But consider, if you will, the case for the mojo of No11, who hauled in 10 catches against Kansas City for 100 yards in his first game back since breaking a bone in his left foot on 15 November.
The Patriots scored the first points of the game when on 3rd and 7 from the KC 8 yard line, Brady found Gronkowski near the left pylon of the end zone versus super-tight coverage from Chiefs cornerback SEAN SMITH.
The Patriots now await the victor of Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos game that is being held in Denver. Although they regressed later in the regular season, failing to score more than 20 points in each of the final two games, they exploded Saturday with one of Brady’s weapons back in the fold.
The Patriots now wait for the victor of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Denver Broncos as they look to go a second consecutive Superbowl.
Tom Brady led New England with 302 yards and 2 TDs to secure a 27-20 win over Kansas City.
“It’s just great to have those guys back”, Rob Gronkowski told ESPN.com after the game. Brady finished with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski.
The Patriots then caught a break two plays later when a Brady pass deflected off Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali’s hands and straight to Edelman who picked up the first down to seal the win. The Patriots ran the ball just 10 times (not counting kneel-downs) against 42 passes. “Whether we play here or whether we play there, we’re going to have to play really well”. After a 1-5 start, they won their final 10 games to reach the playoffs, and dominated the Texans, 30-0, last weekend in Houston.
Kansas City settled for a field goal, giving the Patriots a 14-6 advantage at halftime. Gronkowski and Edelman combined for 67 of those yards, and Gronk capped the drive off with an eight-yard touchdown catch. But they could never make the play, whether it was red-zone sputters (there were two in the first half), clock mismanagement (an Andy Reid staple) or missed opportunities on defense (Marcus Peters will see Tom Brady’s fourth-quarter pass slip through his fingers in his dreams).
And not too long after that West touchdown run, the Patriots pretty much ended the Chiefs season when Gronkowski secured a CAIRO SANTOS onside kick at the KC 45 yard line.
Unfortunately, the pass went directly to the Pats Julian Edelman for a game-winning first down. On the next play, he ran his patented quarterback sneak to score and put the Patriots up 14-3. Like Brady’s emotions, the defense’s swagger, Edelman’s grit and Gronkowski’s Gronkness, the play call was a sign that the champs are ready to do whatever it takes to defend what’s theirs. If the Chiefs had stopped the Patriots on third down, Kansas City could have gotten the ball back with about 50 seconds left, only down by seven points.
Apparently someone on the Kansas City sideline was aware of Reid’s game management struggles.
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The Pats added to their lead with a successful 40 yard field goal by 2016 Pro Bowl selection, kicker STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI.
