Patriots – Chiefs, Key Matchups; Who Has the Razor’s Edge?

Patriots RBs vs Chiefs Front Seven – Razor’s Edge KC

The Patriots offense should get a huge boost in the return of Julian Edelman on Saturday.
(USA TODAY Images)

The Chiefs defense with the #8 rush defense was very tough against the run in 2015. With the likes of Dontari Poe, Jaye Howard and Allen Bailey holding down the fort up front, they do a great job of stuffing the run at the point of attack and allowing the linebackers to clean up. Josh Mauga and Derrick Johnson are active and will make plays for the KC defense.

The Patriots running game has been mired in neutral all season. With the injuries across the offensive line and the constant shuffling, they’ve gotten very little from the running game especially down the stretch.

Injuries to Dion Lewis and LaGarrette Blount have forced the team to bring in Steven Jackson for the final two games of the season. Jackson has run well but has had very little room to move thus far.

On Saturday look for the Patriots to run just enough to attempt to keep the KC defense honest, with a few quick-hitters and some traps and draws.

Patriots WRs vs Chiefs Secondary – Razor’s Edge New England
Brady has been hampered by injuries to his receivers and the offensive line where his season during the final six or seven games has gotten frustrating after getting off to a blistering start. Now he should get a healthier Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola back which “should” help the Patriots short passing game. And we say should because we’ll have to see them in action first.

Questions about Rob Gronkowski’s knee have crept back up, perhaps he re-injured it during the Miami game, but he missed the last two practices. RB James White has been very good out of the backfield, but they need more from Brandon LaFell. With the return Edelman, now LaFell can get back to doing what he does best, the short slants and the short to intermediate sideline back shoulder routes.

The Chiefs have a very good pass rush with bookend pass rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston as well as Howard coming inside. Their secondary is physical and aggressive and their quite adept at turning passes into turnovers. Rookie Marcus Peters had eight INTs this season and he and Sean Smith are a fine pair of corners. Safety Eric Berry has returned from cancer this season and he plays up in the box and can be a disruptive player underneath.

The Patriots when their troops are healthy love to work the middle of the field. That’s where the Chiefs defense has been their stoutest with the vast majority of their picks coming between the numbers. That’s exactly where Brady loves to work the field with Edelman and Gronkowski. Something will have to give here as it will go a long way in deciding who wins this particular matchup.

Next up the Chiefs offense:

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About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

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