The Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots are close to kicking off the regular season. Here’s a Q&A behind enemy lines.
The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally here. The Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots will kick off the NFL’s regular season on Thursday in a primetime game that will set the tone for the Chiefs moving forward. Can they play the defending Super Bowl champs and win? Can they at least keep it close? How will they look in their first of six primetime performances?
For the Pats, the Super Bowl champs have a few questions to answer, beginning with Julian Edelman’s injury. Their pass rush is also going to be something to watch given the loss of Derek Rivers and release of Kony Ealy. We recently asked Logan Jakubajtys, Pats expert at Chowder and Champions, to tell us more about how the Patriots are feeling heading into Week 1.
How hard is the Julian Edelman injury to stomach?
In years past, this would have been a lot toughWe to stomach. Of course the Patriots offense is going to be a bit different now, but they should be fine thanks to the strong corps of receivers they have, and the fact that they still have Tom Brady slinging it.
How will it force the offense to adjust? Do you worry about a bit of a learning curve there?
I think Danny Amendola will play a larger role than he has in the past. Chris Hogan should also see an uptick in his receptions in 2017 as compared to last season. The addition of Brandin Cooks gives the Patriots a ton of flexibility, and we’re certainly expecting a lot from him. Some unheralded guys like Malcolm Mitchell (year 2) and Austin Carr (rookie) may have their chance to shine. Carr was on the bubble for me before the Edelman injury, but now I think he makes the cut. The learning curve shouldn’t be too difficult to overcome. Hogan, DA and Mitchell have all played at least one season with Brady in New England, and Cooks and Carr have had he full training camp. Maybe there’s a little rust in the first half, but nothing that lasts into week 2.
Everyone always focuses on the opponent’s morale about having to play the Patriots week to week, but how do you feel on your side having to play the Chiefs in Week 1?
The Chiefs are a tough team to face in a season opener. We all saw how things went a few years ago in K.C. before New England turned things around that season. The Patriots offense though, is going to be hard to stop. On top of those receivers I mentioned earlier, they have a running back group with such versatility. I believe Mike Gillislee and James White will see most of the snaps, but Rex Burkhead and Dion Lewis will also be involved. They could end up as major factors if the Chiefs decide to focus on passing game weapons. Also, I just don’t think the Chiefs have someone to cover Gronk one on one.
What are the biggest question marks for the Pats heading into the regular season?
Defensive end is for sure the biggest Patriots question mark this year. Rob Ninkovich retired, rookie Derek Rivers was injured and is out for the season, and the team released Kony Ealy. Trey Flowers is the top DE on the team, but behind him there’s little else. New England looks like they’ll be gambling with Geneo Grissom and maybe Lawrence Guy in the edge. They could also look to Dont’a Hightower to play an edge role also, like Ninkovich did later in his career.
If you had to predict the final score…?
31-21, New England. I think the Patriots offense will be too much for the Chiefs and I believe the loss of Spencer Ware really hurts the KC offense. It’ll be close until the 4th quarter.