Chiefs vs. Patriots: Inside The Enemy Camp

The Kansas City Chiefs will travel to Gillette Stadium this week for a Monday Night Football showdown with the New England Patriots.

The Chiefs haven’t played the Patriots since the NFL season opener in 2008. It wasn’t really a notable game for either franchise. Pretty much the only thing that happened was Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard flung himself into Tom Brady’s knee, knocking him out for the season and elevating backup Matt Cassel to the starting spot. Cassel led the Pats to an 11-5 record and was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of the season.

Unfortunately, thanks to his hand injury, Cassel will not get a chance to try to beat his old team on Monday. Both squads have undergone a lot of changes since that 2008 meeting. I sat down with Jamie Pacheco of Musket Fire, FanSided’s Patriots site, to find out a bit more about KC’s next opponent.

Let’s go Inside the Enemy Camp with Musket Fire!

I know a lot of Patriots fans are still really big supporters of Matt Cassel. I know I’ve been looking forward to this game since Pioli and Cassel arrived in KC. Are New England fans disappointed that Cassel won’t be playing?

Patriots fans are disappointed that Matt Cassel will not be playing in the game Monday night. Those with a short memory may forget that some were clamoring to trade Brady and keep Cassel. Everyone in New England is still pulling for him. Maybe they’ll meet again in the future…next year’s playoffs?

I remember when Randy Moss was on the Patriots some people claimed Wes Welker’s success came from teams being so afraid of Moss over the top that they were allowing Welker to run free underneath. Now Moss is long gone, and Welker is playing his best football ever. How is that little dude so damn good?

What helps Welker succeed is his ability to read the coverage and adjust his route accordingly to find the soft spot. He and Brady are on the same page in terms of reading the coverage, the ball is heading to the spot Welker finds before he moves in that direction in many cases. He’s also got a lot of football quickness that allows him to get open.

Who are some young Patriots players that Chiefs fans might not know about yet but should keep an eye on Monday?

Nate Solder, the Patriots’ first round pick this year, has done very well filling in at right tackle when Sebastian Vollmer was hurt and continues to rotate into the lineup. You likely won’t know he’s in unless you look for him, which is a good thing for an offensive lineman. Sterling Moore was called up from the practice squad last week and played every snap at safety against the Jets. He played well but wasn’t really tested, so he’s a player to watch. You’ll likely hear Kyle Love’s name often. Love usually starts next to Vince Wilfork at defensive tackle and is becoming a steady player his second year in the league.

What would you say is New England’s biggest weakness that the Chiefs should try to expose?

It is unquestionably the secondary. The Patriots’ secondary has made lesser quarterbacks look like superstars, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tyler Palco get more opportunities to throw than he normally would in his first NFL start. Devin McCourty, the Pats’ best corner, is doubtful for the game, so Antwuan Molden will likely get the start. His side of the field would be the first place I would look if I was Palko.

How has our boy Brian Waters been performing for you this season? I hear he’s pretty good.

Pretty good? How about the Patriots’ best offensive lineman? Through the hype of the Haynesworth’s and the Ochocinco’s, Brian Waters has emerged as the Patriots’ best offseason acquisition. He is easily their best lineman, which is saying something with Logan Mankins at the other guard position.

Bonus: How much do you beat us by?

That’s a little presumptuous, no? Two touchdowns lol.