Patriot Missile
Pro Bowl Player
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.I think the game will be in the 20s. Freezing weather/wind/Patriots trying to run clock. I think the Chiefs are big favorites.
What "wind"? It's been forecast to be relatively calm (~5mph) for about a week now.
They haven't looked as good on the road compared to home. That is worrisome. As is the fact they've lost by ten points or more (Titans, Jags, Lions) in three of said road games. The penalties in the Pittsburgh game were concerning as well.
Fine. I'll give them the Chicago game. Might be their most impressive road win of the season. But the pattern shows this team generally struggles on the road in 2018. I have no idea why either. Maybe it's a coincidence. If they win in KC, none of the road struggles will matter. But in order to evaluate this game, you cannot ignore how they've performed away from Gillette Stadium.
They allowed twice as many points on the road. That definitly comes down to more than just quality of opponents
And JC Jackson had yet to emerge.
Sometimes you 're one injury away from being a good playoff team.
When you factor in the HFA & talent on both sides, the Chiefs have more margin for error. I think they can have a few turnovers and penalties, yet still win the game.
Exactly, a great quarterback can change everything. Pats didn’t become the Pats until Brady.
I think they can have a few turnovers and penalties, yet still win the game.
I was talking about the chiefs, unless i have my stats mixed up.They allowed 31 and 26 to JAX and DET, respectively. The defense was without Flowers for both those games and without Chung from halftime of the JAX game through the DET game (both had concussions). And JC Jackson had yet to emerge.
So just thought I'd drop in a give a balanced view from our end about the game and love to hear your thoughts.
1) Things that we have going against us in this game first and foremost is experience. The Pats have been to the AFC Championship game every year since Mahomes has been a sophomore in H.S. so that has to count for something with the players and the pressure they feel. The Chiefs have only been there once in the last 25 years and lost to the bills. So experience has to go to the Pats without question.
2) You have the GOAT and he is looking really good, the dismantling of the Chargers was a huge eye opener because many have said they have the most talent of any team in the AFC. Plus you have the best coach in the NFL.
3) overall just a really good well rounded team, good RB, WR, defense, special teams etc.
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The Chiefs biggest factors that favor them in the game are.
1) Defense, yes their defense at home plays completely different than there defense on the road. An example is here are the point totals they have given up at home this year. 27, 14, 23, 10, 14, 24, 29, 3, 13 and we average 35.1 points per game so even though the numbers may not pop out, they are much better than our road defense. We have the top unit for sacks ( not that it may matter much with how quickly Brady gets rid of the ball) but the biggest difference is our DB's are all different from our first game and they are much better than what we trotted out at safety and CB against you earlier in the year.
2) Our Offense in general, we thought after Hunt was released that it would hurt the team and while it took a couple of weeks to get it figured out it seems that Williams is running and catching the ball every bit as good as Hunt did this year. We have Sammy Watkins back so we have 4 legit play makers besides Mahomes.
3) Mahomes - I keep waiting for the wheels to come off this year for him but they never do. We haven't had one game this year where we were blown out or not looking like we have a chance, the most we have lost by was 7 but most were 3 or less. He is the best QB our team has ever had and its not even close.
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Conclusion: I think home field will matter a lot, if we were playing at your place I'd give us a 10-15% chance to win, but playing at Arrowhead I'd say its a coin flip. I think its a game that you will be able to tell by halftime what's going to happen. If Brady's on then its going to be a tough game, if he gets rattled then I think it helps us sneak out a win. I think it will be a 35-31 game either way, not sure who will win but even with the cold they are both going into the 30's.
If the Chiefs turn the ball over a few times, they won't win the game unless the Patriots turn it over several times too. If the Patriots play a turnover free game and get several takeaways, the Chiefs odds of winning go WAY down. The Chiefs do have more margin for error being at home but if they toss 2 picks and give up a fumble and the Patriots play turnover free, that margin of error shrinks to a sliver at best.
Another good instance of Lombardi's aphorism about injuries:
Who knows how things go if Rowe doesn't injure his groin this year.
Wish I could go, although I don't envy anybody sitting in frigid temps. Please cheer loud and proud for out boys those that are lucky to be going!!Still tickets to the game available. Some outlet is predicting 21% Pats fans attendance. Travel well to the ones attending.
I was talking about the chiefs, unless i have my stats mixed up.
There has only been six games (If that) all season where the Patriots have had a turnover free game. It's unlikely they play a perfectly clean game.
There has only been six games (If that) all season where the Patriots have had a turnover free game. It's unlikely they play a perfectly clean game.