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Patriots Fans Should Not View Chiefs As Easy Win

By Tim Felix

Sep 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Matthew Slater (18) watch the game on the sidelines during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Matthew Slater (18) watch the game on the sidelines during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Make no mistakes, the Chiefs are a true test for the Patriots on Saturday.

The Kansas City Chiefs had no issue taking out the Houston Texans on Saturday thrashing them 30-0 away in Houston to get their 11th straight win. With the Steelers as the 6th seed advancing past the Bengals, they go on to face the No.1 seed Denver Broncos.

For a Patriots standpoint, its understandable to be excited with wide receiver Julian Edelman, offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer and linebacker Dont’a Hightower all cleared to play Saturday. However, Patriots fans should not get too comfortable.

As mentioned, the Chiefs have won 11 straight and have been one of the best teams in the NFL in last half of the season even after losing star running back Jamaal Charles.

The biggest worry Patriots fan should have is the Chiefs defense, who rank 3rd in opponents points per game of 17.9, 7th in yards per game of 329.3, 231.1 passing yards allowed per game and 98.2 rushing yards allowed per game.

With big names like linebacker Justin Houston, linebacker Tamba Hali, defensive tackle Dontari Poe, Rookie cornerback Marcus Peters and more, this defense have a strong chance of giving Tom Brady a challenge.

Going into this game as arguably the best pass rush defense with the combination of Houston and Hali, the offensive line will certainly have their hands full in trying to protect Brady.

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Besides the defense posing as the biggest threat, the offense should not be ignored, even if top receiver Jeremy Maclin is unable to play after suffering a high ankle sprain on Saturday.

Throwing 20 TDS and seven interceptions this year, quarterback Alex Smith has put up a pretty good year. Also collecting 498 rushing yards this year, this could pose an issue for the Patriots in trying to contain him.

Even looking at it from a quarterback standpoint of Alex Smith, the Patriots did lose to Dolphins Ryan Tannehill, Jets Ryan Fitzpatrick, Eagles Sam Bradford and Broncos Brock Osweiler. How does this make Alex Smith any different if Patriots have lost to these four quarterbacks.

Do not get me wrong, the Patriots have what it takes to defeat the Chiefs and I’m confident that the Patriots will be prepared to face them. However, the Chiefs should not be looked at as an “easy test”, especially since the Chiefs are one of the hottest teams in the NFL.

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