Chiefs vs. Patriots: Key matchups in a battle for AFC supremacy

Cam Newton will try to take advantage of Chiefs’ linebackers

Despite a really solid effort from the linebacking corps on Monday night against the defending league MVP, the position is still the biggest weakness on the Chiefs’ roster. This, despite the fact that the team is missing multiple cornerbacks for various reasons, is concerning with a suddenly reinvigorated Cam Newton coming to town.

Newton looks like he’s back to his old tricks over the first three weeks of the season with higher rushing totals than ever before in his career (nearly 50 yards/game average). Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has flawlessly integrated his unique skill set into an offense that’s been run by Brady for so long.

Make no mistake: New England knows how weak the Chiefs linebackers are, and they’ll try to take advantage. Through the first three weeks the Chiefs have used Dorian O’Daniel and, on Monday, Willie Gay, Jr. in a spy role to keep tabs on quarterback movement out of the pocket and up the field. O’Daniel was effective in this role against the Houston Texans and Gay was part of an effort keeping Jackson in check on Monday.

Newton is a much, much bigger quarterback than Deshaun Watson and his running style is much stronger than Lamar Jackson. Can a linebacking unit that has struggled with tackling be effective against Newton?

This will be important. If the Chiefs can keep him contained, and make him a pocket passer, it will give the defensive line a chance to pin their ears back and rush the quarterback. This will be a huge key in the game on Sunday.