The Kansas City Chiefs won their 11th-straight game, defeating the Houston Texans, 30-0, in the NFL’s Wild Card playoff round last Saturday. The New England Patriots are the AFC’s second-seed, getting an extra week to rest up before making their first postseason appearance, but they lost their last two regular-season games before their bye and dropped four of their last six.
Momentum, if it even exists, is on the Chiefs’ side heading into this Saturday’s trip to Foxboro.
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There are other signs that point to the Chiefs having the upper hand this week. They are seven-of-10 on the road this year, with six of those victories coming against teams that also made the playoffs. The defense totaled 29 takeaways during the regular season, including 22 interceptions, and had five against Houston on Saturday. While the offense ranks 27th in yards, it is ninth in points scored, thanks in part to the 19 rushing touchdowns which lead the league.
Opposing offenses are averaging a mere 17.9 points per game against Kansas City’s defense and under 330 yards. The offense is efficient while the defense is aggressive and ball-hawking. Simply put, the Chiefs, as a whole, look dangerously close to unstoppable.
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But the Chiefs and the Patriots have more in common than it may seem. Just like the Chiefs’ defense, the Patriots have given up 30 or more points just three times in a game this season. New England’s offense ranks third in points scored and seventh in yards, led by quarterback Tom Brady and the passing game. Brady has 36 touchdown passes this year, to seven interceptions. And while the rushing offense isn’t comparable to Kansas City’s, the rushing defense is, ranking ninth in yards and sixth in touchdowns. The pass-rush is also similarly as aggressive, with the defense totaling 49 regular-season sacks to 47 for the Chiefs.
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The tight end position is another area where the Chiefs and Patriots have something in common. Both the Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski and the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce totaled 72 receptions apiece during the regular season, with Gronkowski amassing 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns, and Kelce, 1,088 yards and eight scores. Kelce was also the Chiefs’ receiving leader in the Wild Card round, catching eight passes for 128 yards. No matter the health of their respective wideouts or the productivity of their respective run games, both the Patriots’ and Chiefs’ defenses will have their hands full keeping the two tight ends under wraps.
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While the Chiefs come in with all the momentum, it cannot be understated how important the Patriots’ home field advantage is this week. The Patriots are 7-1 at home on the 2015 season and 14-3 at home during the playoffs in the Brady-Bill Belichick era. But it’s equally as important to note that the last time the Chiefs and Patriots met, in September of 2014, the Chiefs beat the Patriots, 41-14, in Foxboro. And Belichick hasn’t forgotten that game, saying that the Patriots will be reviewing the tape of the contest and that, “it has relevance,” to the Patriots’ game planning for Saturday.
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One thing that will help the Patriots considerably is the week off, which has allowed their numerous injured key players to get healthier. Tackle Sebastian Vollmer, receiver Julian Edelman, linebacker Dont’a Hightower and defensive end Chandler Jones should all be available to play after missing Week 17, which strengthens both sides of the ball for New England. At the same time, the Chiefs are dealing with injuries of their own that could change the tenor of Saturday’s game.
Receiver Jeremy Maclin is day-to-day with a high-ankle sprain suffered in the third quarter against the Texans. Maclin is the Chiefs’ pass-catching leader, with 87 catches on 124 targets for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns in the regular season and is the team’s leading downfield threat.
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Linebacker Justin Houston is still dealing with the effects of the hyperextended knee that sidelined him for the final five games of the regular season. Even though he did attempt to play on a limited basis against the Texans, it was obvious he was still uncomfortable and lacked full range of motion.
While the ends of the Patriots’ and Chiefs’ regular seasons went quite differently, these two teams have many similarities. These are well-matched opponents, with both featuring tough defenses and efficient offenses. Though the Chiefs and Patriots were trending in opposite directions over the regular-season’s final weeks, the postseason is a whole new world. Don’t let the Chiefs’ blowout of the Texans or the 11-game win streak fool you—Saturday’s game between Kansas City and New England will be compelling and competitive, which is just what a playoff game should be.
All statistical information via Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN unless otherwise noted.
