Following a dominant performance last week against the Houston Texans, a game in which the Chiefs defense forced five Brian Hoyer turnovers, it’s clear that an even bigger test (and opportunity) awaits in New England this Saturday.
Despite the fact that the defending champions may be limping into the divisional playoff game this weekend, there is no formidable opponent in the playoffs than Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The Chiefs offense will certainly have to be more consistent this weekend if they hope to advance to the AFC Championship game next Sunday, and Brady could be getting a key weapon back in his arsenal in incumbent Julian Edelman.
The Chiefs have won 11 straight games and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady spoke glowingly of KC’s defense saying earlier this week that “They force you into a lot of bad football.” That is something that the opportunistic Chiefs defense will have to continue to do if they are going to advance to their first conference title game since 1994.
The Patriots have had their share of issues this season as they closed the season losing 4 of their last 6 games to close the regular season. Injuries have plagued the team all year and Brady’s offensive line has been reduced to shambles as the year has gone on. Earlier in the week, defensive end Chandler Jones was involved with a scrape with the law which could create further team turmoil.
The opportunity is clearly there for the Chiefs and if wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is able to give it go on his gimpy ankle, then it will help to keep New England’s defense off balance. Chiefs fans have waited 22 years to be in this position and a 41-14 beatdown just a season ago has everyone in the organization excited for more.
