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Chiefs vs. Patriots: 3 key match-ups to watch

By David Thomas

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs shake hands after the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Chiefs 27-20. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs shake hands after the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Chiefs 27-20. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs shake hands after the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Chiefs 27-20. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs shake hands after the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Chiefs 27-20. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Can the Kansas City Chiefs handle the juggernaut New England Patriots? Here are key match-ups to watch on Thursday.

Football is back baby! And we’re kicking it off with the matchup we were all hoping to get last year in the playoffs.

The last time the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots faced off was in the divisional round from the 2015 season. I decided to go back and do a little film study and here is one of the most interesting things I found out. In the last matchup Tom Brady faced off coverage on 21 of his 42 total attempts. On those 21 attempts Brady was 13/21 for 141 yards and 1 TD for 6.7 yards per play. The one touchdown going to Rob Gronkowski. Against press coverage Brady was 15/22 for 161 yards and 1 TD for 7.3 yards per play. The one touchdown again going to Rob Gronkowski.

So what did we learn? Tom Brady is really good against both off and press coverage, and Rob Gronkowski is a matchup nightmare in the red zone. Nothing new. I did want to point it out though as something to watch during this matchup. Fans often like to criticize the Chiefs when the defense gives up yards in off-coverage. But I think this showed that it all balances out in the end. Now, onto the matchups.

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