New England Patriots: 3 keys to beating the Kansas City Chiefs

3. Win the Special Teams battle

It may not sound sexy, but special teams will play a huge factor in the outcome of this game. According to Football Outsiders, the Chiefs ranked 2nd overall in Special Teams rating this season. The Patriots who are normally among the best in the league ranked 16th.

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With the weather predicted to be in the teens to low 20s it will affect the kicking game possibly more than any other aspect. It means a 40 yd field goal really turns into more like a 45-50 yd kick.

It also means that a punt that might get 4.5 seconds of hang time might only get 3.5 to 4 seconds. It might not sound like a huge difference, but when speed-demon Tyreek Hill is back there catching the punt, you better believe it becomes a major issue and can give even the best special teams coaches nightmares.

It will also affect the kickoff game as well and could lead for more returns on kickoffs than normal. As scary as that sounds for the New England Patriots as well, it’s an area they will need to take advantage of with their own kick returner in Cordarrelle Patterson.

A huge kick return for a touchdown could absolutely swing this game in either direction. For a team on the road like the Patriots, if they allow it to happen and it enables the crowd in Arrowhead to explode, it can be a nail in the coffin type of play.

Belichick who rarely overlooks anything will certainly be having his guys catching punts and kicking field goals in the middle of a New England snowstorm this week. He knows as well that this could be a major factor in this game.

In Summary

It will take maybe the best performance of the Patriot’s season to overcome the Chiefs this weekend, but anyone that really doubts they can do so must have not watched this team for the past 18 years.

They are embracing the underdog label going into this game. Think back to any other time in the history of this dynasty when they were doubted or told that they have no chance. It almost never ends well for their opponent.

There was a reason I didn’t put Tom Brady as a key factor this week. It’s because we all know he will always show up when the lights are brightest. I don’t care that he is 41 years old. He’s always been a big game player and he always will be.

Give Brady a little extra fuel like telling him “he sucks” or that his team has “no chance” and you might as well be using kerosene to put out a forest fire. He will be ready and if the New England Patriots can accomplish these keys to the game, they will be getting ready for their third straight Super Bowl trip.