Scouting report: How the Chiefs can beat the Patriots again

The Chiefs go into Week 6 undefeated. Going to Foxborough to face off with yet another tough AFC opponent. Here is how the Chiefs can win again:

After an impressive win in Kansas City over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Chiefs head to Foxborough to play another top AFC opponent. The Patriots enter the game 3-2 with losses to the Jaguars and the Lions. For the Chiefs, this game has enormous implications. If Kansas City can come away with a victory, they will have a tie-breaker against some of the AFC’s best teams and will return home to play the Bengals to further that lead.

Once again, the Chiefs have a great matchup on Sunday. Tom Brady and the Patriots show that they can move the ball very well against opposing defenses. However, their defense has been wildly inconsistent. The narrative of the past decade is that the Patriots don’t lose at home. This is how the Chiefs can break that narrative in consecutive years:

Offensively:

Run some power runs against this front. (Watch)

The Patriots front seven is not scary to me. This team’s defense is, for the most part, at the same level as the Chiefs. In fact, I would argue that this front is less talented than Kansas City’s. That being said, the Chiefs should show some power run. Kareem Hunt could have a big day off of power runs and delayed hand-offs. I would love to see some plays similar to this one.

On this play, the Lions spread two receivers to Matt Stafford’s right and one in tight on his left. This is a simply a quick hand-off. With the handoff, everyone that is at the line bursts off of the line and blocks linemen and linebackers out of the play. LeGarrette Blount shows patience and then bursts through an opening. Kareem Hunt can make the same kind of plays if given an opportunity.

Attack linebackers in coverage. (Watch)

If there is anything that the Chiefs can attack, it is the Patriots linebackers. I have seen a lot of poor coverage from them, as well as missed tackles. This is great news for Travis Kelce and any running back receiving out of the backfield. I think this is the biggest mismatch for the Chiefs. However, I expect the Patriots to try to confuse Patrick Mahomes with combination zones. Here, we see a linebacker play the flats and lose.

Here, we see TJ Yeldon get a pass in the flats quickly. The linebacker in the area whifs on the tackle and if Yeldon doesn’t trip over his own feet, the play may go for a huge gain. I want to see the Chiefs attack linebackers in coverage all game long. If they try to keep Kelce contained with linebackers, he will have a field day.

Use deep crossing routes. (Watch)

Again, this defense is not impressive. If there is no improvement, the Chiefs will move the ball up and down the field with ease. After watching the tape, I saw that the Patriots struggled more against post routes and deep crossing routes than anything else. I would expect a big game from Sammy Watkins in this regard.

On this play, we see James O’Shaughnessy create separation with a hard cut to the outside on a deep pattern. Patrick Chung cannot keep up with him in man to man coverage. I would be shocked if the Patriots try to run very much man to man, but again, if they do, the Chiefs can feast on this kind of coverage.