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Patriots - Chiefs Preview

GAME: New England Patriots (6-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-4).

TIME: Sunday, 1 p.m. EST.

The New England Patriots may be on their first winning streak of the season and in first place in the AFC East, but quarterback Tom Brady knows his team's health is a major concern. New England, which had to prepare this week without coach Bill Belichick, looks to extend its winning streak to a season-high three straight games when it visits the Kansas City Chiefs .

''We are so far away compared to a Super Bowl team,'' Brady said. ''When we start getting some guys back, we'll see what kind of team we've got. We are just trying to hang on until we get some reinforcements. Hopefully, we get some guys back this week.''

PATRIOTS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense - 84.4 yards per game (27th in NFL); Passing Offense - 267.5 ypg (4th); Total Offense - 351.9 ypg (9th). Rushing Defense - 119.5 ypg (23rd); Passing Defense - 263.4 ypg (31st); Total Defense - 382.9 ypg (31st).

CHIEFS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense - 140.7 ypg (4th); Passing Offense - 221.1 ypg (11th); Total Offense - 361.8 ypg (7th). Rushing Defense - 89.6 ypg (5th); Passing Defense - 241.4 ypg (29th); Total Defense - 331.0 ypg (25th).

INJURIES: Patriots - DOUBTFUL: T Light (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: T Ashworth (knee); LB Monty Beisel (back); WR Brown (foot); RB Dillon (calf); WR Tim Dwight (rib); RB Faulk (foot); WR Givens (knee); TE Graham (shoulder); DE Jarvis Green (shoulder); WR Johnson (pelvis); LB McGinest (finger); RB Pass (hamstring); S James Sanders (ankle). PROBABLE: QB Brady (right shoulder).

INJURIES: Chiefs - OUT: RB Ronnie Cruz (knee); LB Kris Griffin (hamstring); S Jerome Woods (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: WR Kennison (back); T Roaf (hamstring); DT Ryan Sims (foot); CB Patrick SurtainJohn Browning (knee); LB Boomer Grigsby (abdomen); CB Benny Sapp (hip). (ankle). DT John Browning (knee); LB Boomer Grigsby (abdomen); CB Benny Sapp (hip).

 

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3 keys

Three areas of focus for the Patriots - Chiefs game:

Offense
The Patriots rank second in the NFL in passing yards per game (275.7), while the Chiefs’ pass defense is ranked 29th (248.1). The numbers suggest the Patriots should be able to attack the Chiefs through the air. Offensive line synergy with the silent snap count will be especially important, as the Chiefs’ crowd can get loud and Kansas City likes to blitz. Despite ranking 29th in rushing yards per game (79.1) and likely being without Corey Dillon, the Patriots will still need to generate yardage in the running game to keep the Chiefs honest. The Chiefs’ run defense ranks eighth in yards allowed per game (90.9).

Defense
Statistically speaking, the Patriots are one of the worst defenses in the league -- 31st in passing yards allowed (255.1); 23rd in rushing yards allowed (123.1), 27th in points allowed (23.6 per game), 30th in sacks per pass play (13 in 292 attempts), 30th in third-down efficiency (42.7 percent success rate for opponents), and 30th in first downs allowed (19.2 per game). Going against a balanced Chiefs offense -- which ranks seventh in rushing yards per game (131.2) and 14th in passing yards per game (221.2) -- the Patriots must take away the run first and then hope for big plays at critical times in the passing game. The run defense has been much improved over the last two weeks, coinciding with the return of Richard Seymour.

X Factor
The Chiefs rank 31st in the NFL in kickoff return coverage, and this could be a breakout game for Bethel Johnson. The third-year receiver is having his least productive season on returns, averaging 22.4 yards per runback. He entered the season averaging 26.2 yards. If not Johnson, rookie Ellis Hobbs or Andre’ Davis could be used on kickoff returns.

 

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Deactivated players

The following Patriots players have been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs:

Running back Corey Dillon
Running back Kevin Faulk
Offensive tackle Matt Light
Wide receiver Bethel Johnson
Wide receiver David Givens

Belichick's back

“Kansas City, as we all know, is a very explosive offensive football team. They have an outstanding returner [Dante Hall], they’re explosive in the return game as well. Defensively, they put a lot of pressure on you. As long as I’ve been around [31 seasons], I can’t ever remember a team having a statistic like the Chiefs [defense] have on third-and-long, where they’re giving up barely a yard per play. That’s pretty unusual. We always want to stay out of third-and-long and that’s certainly going to be one of the goals this week as well.

 

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The Kansas City passing offense, notably Trent Green, is doing very well and coupled with the horrible New England pass defense, they are exploiting the secondary for big gains and forcing the Patriots in to dumb penalties.

New England, though, had a nice goal line stand against Kansas City with a good pass rush forcing the Chiefs to kick a field goal. 10-0 Kansas City with about thirteen minutes left in the second.

 

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Brady throws another interception trying to make a big play.

 

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New England with yet another goal-line stand, but the score is being run by the Chiefs.

13-0 Kansas City with 10:38 left in the first half.

 

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Brady's been overthrowing everything today. Failed red-zone attempt, though the offensive line is looking good (even with Koppen out). Our rushing offense is bad without Dillon so we have to rely on Brady, though he is overthrowing his reciever on third down for some reason (two interceptions and one incomplete touchdown attempt).

13-3.

 

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:sigh:

Larry Johnson is a stud. Tynes hits his fourth field goal of the quarter. 19-3.

 

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Well, it's over.

After a horrible pass interference call, Trent Green connects with a wide open Dante Hall on play action for 30+ yards and a touchdown. 26-3.

 

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Patrick Pass runs it in after an impressive Patriots drive with 4:21 left in the third. The Patriots passed and ran well and now are down 16, 26-10.

 

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The Patriots are doing well this half. Brady with another great drive (6-6) giving the Patriots six points as they fail to convert the two-point conversion.

Patriots with another stop. Brady is sacked.

 

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Brady throws an interception to Wesley (his third interception).

Game over.

 

[lolac101]

All the tipped balls made this a very frustrating loss. That hit on the first play really affected Brady.

 

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The tipped balls resulted from Brady throwing it too hard or too high.

He had a good second half, but some of his passes were erratic.

 

[lolac101]

yeah, he felt pressured and tried to get rid of the ball as fast as he can.

 

[P2TheTruth34]

very disappointing loss for us. we dont seem to have balance. Our play calling has been less than creative and hasn't seemed to open up the defenses. yes, brady is great but he can be that much better if he has a solid RB. our offensive line has been playing terribly.whether or not corey dillon will help contribute a running game is yet to be seen but for some reason m optimistic.
As far as our defense goes... Im ready to suit up, coach Belichick. I should start at corner. We have perhaps the worst secondary in the league right now contrasting years passed when we have been among the best. Our front 7 have been amazingly disappointing leaving our vulnerable secondary on an island or standing around getting chopped up (if we play zone). I just hope that Mangini and Belichick devise some interesting game plans pretty soon because we havn't seen it yet and we need to start to groove. As we have said in years passed, after Thanksgiving, you can't play around anymore.