New England Patriots GameDay: 5 players to watch vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Devin McCourty, FS

Not only will the New England Patriots have to contain the speedy Tyreek Hill, rookie wide receiver Mecole Hardman has similar speed and will also present a challenge for the defense.

Along with also trying to defend Travis Kelce and Sammy Watkins, Bill Belichick will have quite the decision to make on who to stick Stephon Gilmore on.

Whoever it is, veteran safety Devin McCourty will be the x-factor in this game as he will be assigned with providing help with other matchups on the field.  Whether Belichick decides to go with Jonathan Jones on Hill or Hardman or J.C. Jackson or Jason McCourty on Sammy Watkins, Devin McCourty will be the safety help.

The likely choice here is Jones on Hill with McCourty helping over the top.  The team had success in limiting Tyreek Hill in the AFC Championship game.  They gave up just one big play to Hill in that game.

Bill Belichick will mimic that game plan until and unless it doesn’t work.  That means other players in the secondary will have to be solid and stick with the game plan.  Gilmore taking away either Kelce or Watkins and the combination of Jones and McCourty limiting Hill leaves Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, J.C. Jackson and Jason McCourty with either bigger roles.

In all, Devin McCourty will make some big plays in the defensive backfield as Patrick Mahomes will definitely take some shots downfield.