AFC Championship: We are on to Kansas City!

I hope the Patriots can keep the game from getting away from them - not that games usually get away from them. In the 2015 AFC Championship game the Pats never lead but they were never down by more than one score in the game. The 2013 game was a bit different as they had deficits of 10, 17, 20, 13 and 16..and we never in it...GO PATS

The last time we weren’t pedestrian on the road was the 06 AFCCG but choked in the second half. BB looked so young in that game compared to now.

For anybody who is still paying attention, at K/O it will probably be around 30° with a windchill hovering near 25°. Won't change drastically through the course of the game.

Conditions are gonna pretty mild, it seems

I have picture in my head of Mahomes on sideline in AFC Championship with towel over head, not injured, just dazed and confused mentally saying what happened today

Crazy stat: we haven’t even LED in a road playoff game since 2006. Didn’t even have a lead in 2013 and 2015. Tryna be the first team since 12-13 ravens to win it on the road

@KontradictioN
So who are you picking this week?

Belichick8384 said:

For anybody who is still paying attention, at K/O it will probably be around 30° with a windchill hovering near 25°. Won't change drastically through the course of the game.

Conditions are gonna pretty mild, it seems

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Weather channel said it will feel like 10 with the wind chill. 10-15 MPH winds

Our O is definitely the underrated question about the game. KC's game against Indy wqs really good.

I think we'll know pretty early how this game will go down. Im feeling good about Our D for some reason, but we'll see

signbabybrady said:

@KontradictioN
So who are you picking this week?

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It depends on the day.

I think it's a really a pick em. If we played 6 times at Arrowhead, I could see it being 3-3. I don't think we would beat you at Gillett.

I'll say 31-28 Chiefs. But that's my heart talking.

Can’t afford to go three and out more than twice.

patriot1136 said:

It won't be easy, but I believe we can do it. Also, got to hope they make some mistakes and we take advantage of it.

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That is what I am hoping. Also, this might be over the top fanhood, but I feel that the Pats will be as focused as possible and thus will be able to limit their mistakes.

Also, given what happened in Denver 2015 with a crowd that yelled all game and what was mentioned about us giving away the snap count, i hope the Pats have something in line to avoid this issue. I know teams practice silent count with PA system playing loud noises, it might be nice if the Pats use plays that are easier to deal with on a silent count. Limit the playbook in necessary to avoid plays that might result in false starts.

Should be fun on Sunday, can not wait.

Was interested to hear what Michael Lombardi had to say as last Super Bowl he was very pessimistic about the Patriots ability to stop the Eagles offense and it turns out he was spot on. Just heard his podcast and a few points:

• HFA is big in this game. The Pats might really regret what happened in the Miami game.
• Pats cannot play man to man vs KC
• KC will miss Hunt and his ability to run from shotgun. Can KC runners be matched vs slow NE LB'ers. Stopping the run will be HUGE for Pats
• Thinks KC will use the same playbook that the Eagles used to great success in SB. Belichick must show different looks to stop them from using that script
• Would match Gilmore vs Kelce
• Lots of talk that KC didn't play well in the first matchup but nobody mentions that neither did NE. Brady pick, etc.
• Pats must double Hill
• Stopping the run will be huge for NE
• Wind on Sunday night will be a MUCH bigger factor than the cold. Thinks there's a good chance that someone will miss a key kick, FG or XP.
• Thinks both teams will be taking chances on 4th down if there's wind.
• Chiefs will have a problem if White is allowed to run free. Berry covering white will be a big challenge for them
• KC does not get a lot of holding calls on that OL especially at home.
• Key question - can the Pats control the pace of the game and slow it down?
• Matchup for Pats will be very tough especially on road. Pats best effort might fall short here
• Overall likes the Chiefs (and Saints) to win and cover.

Brandon Manning said:

Barnwell: Myths vs. realities from Patriots' 18-year dynasty

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nice article, thanks for posting. I just skimmed through.

Just one point of correction, after Carlson Palmer was hit in the playoffs in 2005, the NFL did indeed institute a rule against hitting the QB below the knee. They reemphasized the rule after 2007.

sb1 said:

Was interested to hear what Michael Lombardi had to say as last Super Bowl he was very pessimistic about the Patriots ability to stop the Eagles offense and it turns out he was spot on. Just heard his podcast and a few points:

• HFA is big in this game. The Pats might really regret what happened in the Miami game.
• Pats cannot play man to man vs KC
• KC will miss Hunt and his ability to run from shotgun. Can KC runners be matched vs slow NE LB'ers. Stopping the run will be HUGE for Pats
• Thinks KC will use the same playbook that the Eagles used to great success in SB. Belichick must show different looks to stop them from using that script
• Would match Gilmore vs Kelce
• Lots of talk that KC didn't play well in the first matchup but nobody mentions that neither did NE. Brady pick, etc.
• Pats must double Hill
• Stopping the run will be huge for NE
• Wind on Sunday night will be a MUCH bigger factor than the cold. Thinks there's a good chance that someone will miss a key kick, FG or XP.
• Thinks both teams will be taking chances on 4th down if there's wind.
• Chiefs will have a problem if White is allowed to run free. Berry covering white will be a big challenge for them
• KC does not get a lot of holding calls on that OL.
• Key question - can the Pats control the pace of the game and slow it down?
• Matchup for Pats will be very tough especially on road
• Overall likes the Chiefs (and Saints) to win and cover.

Click to expand...

I am too curious to see how the crowd will effect the game.

Also I hope Steven G. does not have a hiccup as he has had a few times in the playoff recently.

Overall, i agree with most of what Lombardi says.

I like the idea of doubling Hill, maybe with D. McCourty as he is fast, maybe Jackson and D. Mack.

Be interesting if there is a significant wind to see how the KC passing offense will fare in the game,.

sb1 said:

Was interested to hear what Michael Lombardi had to say as last Super Bowl he was very pessimistic about the Patriots ability to stop the Eagles offense and it turns out he was spot on. Just heard his podcast and a few points:

• HFA is big in this game. The Pats might really regret what happened in the Miami game.
• Pats cannot play man to man vs KC
• KC will miss Hunt and his ability to run from shotgun. Can KC runners be matched vs slow NE LB'ers. Stopping the run will be HUGE for Pats
• Thinks KC will use the same playbook that the Eagles used to great success in SB. Belichick must show different looks to stop them from using that script
• Would match Gilmore vs Kelce
• Lots of talk that KC didn't play well in the first matchup but nobody mentions that neither did NE. Brady pick, etc.
• Pats must double Hill
• Stopping the run will be huge for NE
• Wind on Sunday night will be a MUCH bigger factor than the cold. Thinks there's a good chance that someone will miss a key kick, FG or XP.
• Thinks both teams will be taking chances on 4th down if there's wind.
• Chiefs will have a problem if White is allowed to run free. Berry covering white will be a big challenge for them
• KC does not get a lot of holding calls on that OL.
• Key question - can the Pats control the pace of the game and slow it down?
• Matchup for Pats will be very tough especially on road
• Overall likes the Chiefs (and Saints) to win and cover.

Click to expand...

Yeah I remember him saying the Eagles offense would have a field day with the D. Some said he was just a hater. Well....he was spot on.

I'd be shocked if even four analysts pick the Patriots to win. And I'm not Including a homer like Bruschi.

Yehoodi said:

I am too curious to see how the crowd will effect the game.

Also I hope Steven G. does not have a hiccup as he has had a few times in the playoff recently.

Overall, i agree with most of what Lombardi says.

I like the idea of doubling Hill, maybe with D. McCourty as he is fast, maybe Jackson and D. Mack.

Be interesting if there is a significant wind to see how the KC passing offense will fare in the game,.

Click to expand...

So you also agree the Chiefs will win, and cover? I had the final score as 31-20 KC.

How can the Pats simulate crowd noise practicing outside? They can only really do it in the bubble.

Yehoodi said:

That is what I am hoping. Also, this might be over the top fanhood, but I feel that the Pats will be as focused as possible and thus will be able to limit their mistakes.

Also, given what happened in Denver 2015 with a crowd that yelled all game and what was mentioned about us giving away the snap count, i hope the Pats have something in line to avoid this issue. I know teams practice silent count with PA system playing loud noises, it might be nice if the Pats use plays that are easier to deal with on a silent count. Limit the playbook in necessary to avoid plays that might result in false starts.

Should be fun on Sunday, can not wait.

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Fans at arrowhead on Sunday will be just as loud if not louder than that 2015 Denver game. We will have to go to the silent count for a while. If we do well, they can switch to the normal count as the crowd will be out of the game. I think the game is essentially over if they get off to a fast start.

The weather reports seem to get better for KC however the Pats are good in cold weather. They say the field is heated but I have read that the ground could be frozen, how could that be? Anyone got an answer.

I think the noise at the stadium will be a bigger problem for the Pats than KC, even though the Pats will use a silent count. I thinking false start penalties, this can't happen, its a no-no.