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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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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 25: Defensive end Chris Jones
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 25: Defensive end Chris Jones /

Chiefs Defensive Line vs. Patriots Offensive Line

The number one question everyone in the NFL tries to answer is how do you stop the Patriots? And more specifically, how do you stop Tom Brady? Well as we’ve seen in the Patriots only two Super Bowl losses, and the 41-14 shellacking the Chiefs gave the Patriots in 2014, you need to have a solid pass rush and stop the run. In 2014 the Chiefs were able to take down the Patriots quarterback three times, but were constantly in their face with pressure. The Chiefs were able to hold the Patriots to just 75 rushing yards on 16 attempts.

The Patriots were also dealing with inconsistency along the offensive line as just one of their starters played every snap. Meanwhile the Chiefs had all five of their offensive line starters play every snap. In 2016 the Patriots offensive line ranked 6th in pass protection and 9th in run blocking, and all five of their starters return from last season. In 2016 the Chiefs defensive line ranked 30th against the run and 26th against the pass with a number of changes from last season. Out goes Jaye Howard in comes Chris Jones. Out goes Dontari Poe and in comes Bennie Logan. The only returning week 1 starter is Allen Bailey who was injured for most of last season.

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We likely know what to expect out of the Patriots offensive line, but there’s a lot of questions for the Chiefs defensive line. The addition of Bennie Logan and a healthy Allen Bailey should help improve the Chiefs run defense.

Luckily for the Chiefs, the Patriots will also be without a true power running back. Which the Chiefs are well known for struggling against as shown by their 32nd league ranking on runs between the guards in 2016. Outside the guards the Chiefs were ranked 8th and 7th around the left and right ends respectively. In 2016 the Chiefs were run at between the guards on 74% of rushing attempts against which ranked #1 in the league by 7%. The Patriots trio of Dion Lewis, James White, and Rex Burkhead are better known for their horizontal game than vertical game.

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