When the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots clash on Monday Night Football, three records will be stake: the Chiefs’, the Patriots’ and the noise.
Most of Tom Brady’s post-collegiate life has been a tale of sunshine and rainbows; a bulletproof reputation. A trophy wife. A golden boy who dances like the Golden Girls.
His Arrowhead experience? Not so much (scroll horizontally).
The “Tom Brady at Arrowhead” narrative is just one piece to a bigger puzzle, though.
Noise Record
The above video shows when Arrowhead officially set the then-noise record of 137.5 decibels. Then, in Week 13, Seattle Seahawks fans and their opera-acoustic stadium edged that number, registering 137.6 versus New Orleans.
It’s safe to say that Kansas Citians weren’t fond of that.
Per press release, the United States Army Parachute Team (“The Golden Knights”) will drop in to deliver monday night’s game ball. During the contest, the team encourages fans to use the hash tag #LoudandProud on social media and, you know, scream like mad(wo)men.
Facebook group “Terrorhead Returns” aims to ensure that the record is delivered back to its rightful owner.
Pro Football Focus Rankings
Here are the overall team rankings from Pro Football Focus (PFF):
Quarterback Comparison:
Brady’s receivers have the best drop percentage (.9) in the league, yet his accuracy percentage (factoring out drops, spikes and throwaways) finishes last (No. 31) among quarterbacks partaking in half of their team’s dropbacks. Smith’s accuracy percentage of 78.3 ranks No. 6 among the same group.
Coach and Player Quotes
When asked about Monday night’s atmosphere, Andy Reid responded, “Yeah, I should’ve mentioned that earlier. We welcome people into that atmosphere.” Kansas City’s coach added, “The Sea of Red is something when it gets cranking. I have this feeling that they’re probably going to set a new record. It’s going to be a lot of red and we look forward to it and bringing the Patriots in here and letting them enjoy that part of it.”
His quarterback echoed the same sentiments, saying, “I hear that song in my head, I hear the intro song. So many memories as a kid growing up and watching Monday Night Football, and I think the whole country has similar thoughts and it’s a special deal.” Smith claimed that Monday Night at Arrowhead is “even more special.”
One of his favorite targets, tight end Travis Kelce, has recently drawn comparisons to New England’s Rob Gronkowski.
Both crave contact. Both are big-play magnets. Both like to celebrate—a lot.
When the names of Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham were mentioned, Kelce noted:
"They’ve definitely set the bar and it’s fun watching those guys play, Gronk especially. He’s a great player. Athletically, it’s hard to find a guy that’s big and strong and as fast as him, but he’s an all-around player. Hats off to him and what he’s done. Hopefully I can go ahead and keep this legacy going with good tight ends."
Per WEEI’s Dale and Holley show, Tedy Bruschi asserted that Arrowhead might be “as tough a place to play in the National Football League.” Belichick relayed that New England hasn’t visited Kansas City since ownership renovated the stadium.
However, he assured the co-hosts that it won’t be pleasant, adding, “I’m sure the juices will be flowing Monday night. It’ll be rockin’ and rollin’.”
Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required) and Pro-Football-Reference. Quotes obtained via press release unless otherwise noted.