{"id":50143,"date":"2023-12-16T05:00:10","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T10:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=50143"},"modified":"2023-12-15T20:17:48","modified_gmt":"2023-12-16T01:17:48","slug":"morse-patriots-preview-of-the-kansas-city-chiefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2023\/12\/16\/morse-patriots-preview-of-the-kansas-city-chiefs\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Patriots Preview of the Kansas City Chiefs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Patriots can play the role of spoiler as the Kansas City Chiefs visit Foxboro on Sunday.\u00a0 The Chiefs were a hard luck loser last weekend to the Bills.\u00a0 At 8-5 the Chiefs are right in the thick of the playoff race.\u00a0\u00a0 Patrick Mahomes had a meltdown after the game over a controversial offsides call against the Chiefs nullifying a flea flicker TD.\u00a0 The call was absolutely correct, Kadarius Toney was offsides.\u00a0 Usually, the Wide Receivers look to the sideline referee and indicate whether they are up on the line or off the line.\u00a0 The ref also confirms if they are on side.\u00a0 Toney just glanced over to the sideline, not making any eye contact with the official.\u00a0 Mahomes and the Chiefs have nothing to bitch about.\u00a0 Every game, KC Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor moves into a passing set before the ball is hiked.\u00a0 He has been called for it occasionally, but most of the time he gets away with it.<\/p>\n

OFFENSE 3WR 1TE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSTARTER<\/strong><\/td>\n2ND<\/strong><\/td>\n3RD<\/strong><\/td>\n4TH<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
QB<\/td>\nPatrick Mahomes<\/td>\nBlaine Gabbert<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RB<\/td>\nIsiah Pacheco Q<\/td>\nClyde Edwards-Helaire<\/td>\nJerick McKinnon<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nRashee Rice<\/td>\nSkyy Moore<\/td>\nJustyn Ross<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nJustin Watson<\/td>\nKadarius Toney<\/td>\nMecole Hardman IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nMarquez Valdes-Scantling<\/td>\nRichie James<\/td>\nNikko Remigio\u00a0IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TE<\/td>\nTravis Kelce<\/td>\nNoah Gray<\/td>\nBlake Bell<\/td>\nJody Fortson IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LT<\/td>\nDonovan\u00a0Smith Q<\/td>\nWanya\u00a0Morris<\/td>\nPrince Tega Wanogho\u00a0IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LG<\/td>\nJoe Thuney<\/td>\nMike Caliendo<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C<\/td>\nCreed\u00a0Humphrey<\/td>\nNick Allegretti<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/u><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RG<\/td>\nTrey\u00a0Smith<\/td>\nNick Allegretti<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RT<\/td>\nJawaan\u00a0Taylor<\/td>\nLucas Niang<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Patrick Mahomes is what moves the KC Chiefs.\u00a0 The two-time Super Bowl Champion, Super Bowl MVP and League MVP is what the KC Offense is all about.\u00a0 His receiving corps may be one of the worst in the league and is comparable to the 2006 Patriots Wide Receiver corps that Tom Brady had to work with. \u00a0\u00a0Mahomes is ranked as s the 8th<\/sup> QB in the league so far this season.\u00a0 He is 11th<\/sup> in passing yards mainly because his wide receivers can\u2019t hold onto the ball.\u00a0 As long as Mahomes is healthy the Chiefs have a chance of winning.<\/p>\n

The Offensive line is a big question mark.\u00a0 They should be better than they are.\u00a0 They are 17th<\/sup> in rushing.\u00a0 It all starts with Left Tackle Donovan Smith.\u00a0 In the 2015 draft, Smith was selected in the 2nd<\/sup> round (#54) by Tampa Bay.\u00a0 He played 8 years with Tampa Bay and won the Super LV with Tom Brady.\u00a0 However, Smith never received any individual league accolades.\u00a0 Tampa Bay released him in 2023 and he signed with Kansas City.\u00a0 Smith is ranked #63rd<\/sup> in the Preo Football Focus rankings of all Tackles.\u00a0 That is barely a starter and his 55.4 rating is next to the worst starting Tackle.\u00a0 His run grade is an abysmal 45.0. \u00a0\u00a0Smith has been ruled Out for Sunday.\u00a0 His replacement will be Wanya Morris a 2023 3rd<\/sup> round (#92) pick from Oklahoma.\u00a0 He has played in just one game this year.<\/p>\n

Joe Thuney is a player we should never have let get away and is one of Bill Belichicks biggest mistakes as a GM.\u00a0 Thuney is exactly the type of player you build your Offensive Line around.\u00a0 Thuney is a the #7th<\/sup> ranked Guard by PFF.\u00a0 Thuney was a 2015 3rd<\/sup> round (#78) pick by the Patriots.\u00a0 He has been selected to the 2nd<\/sup> team All Pro and to the Pro Bowl in 2022.\u00a0 The three-time Super Bowl Champ, twice with the Patriots has been the anchor of the KC line.\u00a0 In his 8th<\/sup> season, Thuney has missed just two games in his career.\u00a0 In 2019 for the Patriots, he had zero penalties called against him for the season.<\/p>\n

Center has Creed Humphrey manning the position, the former Oklahoma Sooner was a third team All-American in 2020.\u00a0 He was selected in the 2nd<\/sup> round (#52) by KC in 2021.\u00a0 He started right away and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2022 and then 2nd<\/sup> team All-Pro the same year.\u00a0 Humphrey is ranked #4 by PFF.\u00a0 Thuney and Humphrey give KC a solid base to start their O-line.<\/p>\n

Trey Smith is a 2017 6th round (#226) selection by the Chiefs out of Tennessee.\u00a0 He was a two-time All-SEC 1st<\/sup> team player (2019 & 2020) and a 2nd<\/sup> team in 2017.\u00a0\u00a0 Interesting fact, the Chiefs O-Line gave up zero sacks in the Super Bowl LVII versus the Philadelphia Eagles.<\/p>\n

Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor is a bit of a problem.\u00a0 The second-round selection (#35) was the pick by Jacksonville.\u00a0 At Jacksonville, he started all the games for 4 years at Right Tackle.\u00a0 \u00a0Kansas City signed him as a Free Agent to a 4 year $80M contract this year.\u00a0 PFF ranked him 74th<\/sup> this season with a 50.8 rating.\u00a0 That\u2019s not even starter quality as there are only 64 starters.\u00a0 KC is getting screwed for their investment in Taylor.\u00a0 As I said earlier, Taylor jumps back into his pass blocking stance early on nearly every pass block set.\u00a0 It is very obvious, and the officials have started to call him on it.\u00a0 Look for this on Sunday.<\/p>\n

The KC running backs are nothing to write home about.\u00a0 Isaiah Pacheco is a nice story about a 7th<\/sup> round pick made last year working his way into the starting lineup.\u00a0 The speedster from Rutgers leads the team with 774 yards on 176 carries for a 4.4 average and 6 TDs. \u00a0Pacheco also has 33 catches on 38 targets for 208 yards, a 6.3 average , and 1 TD.\u00a0 However, Pacheco has not practiced this week and had surgery.\u00a0 He is listed as Out on the injury report.<\/p>\n

That would make Patrick Mahomes as the leading rusher with 339 yards on 58 carries for a 5.8 yard average.\u00a0 Clyde Edwards-Helaire will get the nod since Pacheco can\u2019t go.\u00a0 He is having a miserable year with 179 yards on 51 carries for a 3.5 average and only 1 TD.\u00a0 Jerick McKinnon is still on the team and is used as a receiving back on third down.\u00a0 He has 22 catches on 29 targets for 173 yards, a 7.9 average and 3 TDs.<\/p>\n

Travis Kelce is a phenomenal pass catcher, but he is not a Tight End and shouldn\u2019t be classified as one.\u00a0 He is not an in-line blocker which is a requirement of a Tight End.\u00a0 As a Receiver he is the best in the league, and the way that KC utilizes him is great.\u00a0 He can\u2019t hold Rob Gronkowski\u2019s jock strap as an all-around Tight End.\u00a0 Kelce is having another great season, with 80 catches on 103 targets for 896 yards, an 11.2 average and 5 TDs.\u00a0 Kelce is Mahomes favorite target.\u00a0\u00a0 Noah Gray and Blake Bell chip in at TE as well.\u00a0 Gray has 22 catches on 29 targets for 246 yards, 11.2 average and 2 TDs.<\/p>\n

The Wide Receivers is where the blame should be directed for the recent losses.\u00a0 Rookie 2nd<\/sup> round pick Rashee Rice has emerged as the leading WR.\u00a0 He has 59 catches on 75 targets for 663 yards, an 11.2 average and 6 TDs.\u00a0 If the Patriots secondary can shut down Rice and Kelce combined with their outstanding run defense, the Patriots could frustrate the Chiefs.\u00a0 Kadarius Toney has 25 catches, Skyy Moore has 21 and Justin Watson has 21, followed by Marquez Valdes-Scantling with 19.\u00a0 The big problem is drops.\u00a0 All are around 50% catch rate.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DEFENSE Base 4-3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSTARTER<\/strong><\/td>\n2ND<\/strong><\/td>\n3RD<\/strong><\/td>\n4TH<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDE<\/td>\nGeorge Karlaftis<\/td>\nMalik Herring<\/td>\nBJ\u00a0Thompson<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDT<\/td>\nDerrick Nnadi<\/td>\nNeil\u00a0Farrell<\/td>\nMatt Dickerson<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDT<\/td>\nChris\u00a0Jones<\/td>\nTershawn Wharton<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDE<\/td>\nMike Danna<\/td>\nCharles Omenihu<\/td>\nFelix Anudike-Uzomah<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WLB<\/td>\nWillie\u00a0Gay<\/td>\nCam\u00a0Jones<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MLB<\/td>\nNick Bolton<\/td>\nLeo Chenal<\/td>\nDarius\u00a0Harris<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SLB<\/td>\nDrue Tranquill\u00a0Q<\/td>\nJack Cochrane<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LCB<\/td>\nL’Jarius Sneed<\/td>\nJoshua\u00a0Williams<\/td>\nNic\u00a0Jones<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SS<\/td>\nJustin Reid<\/td>\nChamarri\u00a0Conner<\/td>\nNazeeh\u00a0Johnson IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FS<\/td>\nMike\u00a0Edwards<\/td>\nBryan\u00a0Cook IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RCB<\/td>\nTrent McDuffie<\/td>\nJaylen\u00a0Watson<\/td>\nEkow Boye-Doe<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

DT Chris Jones is one of the most dominant D-linemen in the league.\u00a0 He single-handedly can disrupt a game plan.\u00a0 \u00a0Jones can\u2019t be blocked and ends up in the backfield blowing up plays.\u00a0 Although Jones only has 24 tackles but 6.5 of those are sacks.\u00a0 That\u2019s a high number for an interior lineman.\u00a0 DE George Karlaftis is a 2022 1st<\/sup> round pick (#30) out of Purdue.\u00a0 He leads the team with 9 sacks.\u00a0 Derrick Nnadi fills the LDT position.\u00a0 Nnadi was 2017 3rd<\/sup> round (#75) selection by the Chiefs.\u00a0 He is a stout (6\u20191\u201d 317 lb.) DT that occupies blockers to help set up the linebackers to make the tackles.\u00a0 RDE is played by Mike Danna, a 2020 round 5 (#177) out of Central Michigan.\u00a0 Danna leads the DL in tackles with 43 and has chipped in with 6.5 sacks.\u00a0 Charkes Omenihu a 2019 5th<\/sup> round pick was suspended for the first 6 games this year.<\/p>\n

The linebackers are led by former LA Charger Dru Tranquill.\u00a0 He is second on the team with 73 tackles.\u00a0 The former Notre Dame player was a 2019 4th<\/sup> round selection (#130) of LA.\u00a0 He signed as a Free Agent this season with KC.\u00a0 Tranquill bet on himself and signed a 1-year contract for up to $5M.\u00a0 He will be a free agent again in 2024. \u00a0He has been listed as Questionable because of a concussion, but he has been a full participant in practice this week. \u00a0Nick Bolton is a thumper, an old school Middle Linebacker.\u00a0 The 2021 2nd<\/sup> round pick (#58) played at Missouri and was a player that I thought would be on the Patriots radar.\u00a0 He was probably taken before they had him slotted.\u00a0 He is only 5\u2019 11\u201d and 237 lbs. but he hits like a train.\u00a0 A comparable player is Patriots\u2019 Ja\u2019Whaun Bentley. \u00a0Bolton has 36 tackles this season.\u00a0 The Chiefs struck gold with the selection of LB Leo Chenal.\u00a0 The 2022 round 3 (#103) was another player that I thought the Pats would be interested in.\u00a0 The former Wisconsin Badger has 50 tackles this year.\u00a0 Willie Gay is listed as the starter and the former 2020 2nd<\/sup> round (#63) linebacker out of Mississippi State has 49 tackles.<\/p>\n

In the secondary L\u2019Jarius Sneed is the Left Cornerback.\u00a0 His ranking on PFF is 45.\u00a0 The 2020 4th<\/sup> round (#138) selection out of Louisiana Tech is 4th<\/sup> on the team in tackles with 63.\u00a0 Sneed leads the team with 2 INTs.\u00a0 The top cornerback is Trent McDuffie who has 68 Tackles.\u00a0 The 2022 1st<\/sup> round (#21) selection out of Washington has two sacks but no INTs.\u00a0 McDuffie is ranked 8th<\/sup> by PFF,<\/p>\n

The Strong Safety Justin Reid leads the team in tackles with 74, 1 INT, and 1 sack.\u00a0\u00a0 His ranking by PFF is an abysmal 77.\u00a0 Mike Edwards the Free Safety starter is ranked at 64.\u00a0\u00a0 That is a very big weak link in the KC defense.\u00a0 Bryan Cook is on IR and his ranking was much higher at 43.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SPECIAL TEAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSTARTER<\/strong><\/td>\n2ND<\/strong><\/td>\n3RD<\/strong><\/td>\n4TH<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PK<\/td>\nHarrison Butker<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P<\/td>\nTommy Townsend<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H<\/td>\nTommy Townsend<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PR<\/td>\nRichie James<\/td>\nKadarius Toney<\/td>\nJustin Watson<\/td>\nSkyy Moore<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KR<\/td>\nRichie James<\/td>\nRashee Rice<\/td>\nIsiah Pacheco Q<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LS<\/td>\nJames Winchester<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/u><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Harrison Butker has been one of the most consistent scorers in the league.\u00a0 This season is no exception with Butker making all his kicks through week 14.\u00a0 He has kicked 23 of 23 Field Goals including a 60 yarder and is 31 of 31 on Extra Points.\u00a0 His rank is just 21 but that is due to his lack of opportunities.\u00a0 I\u2019d take Butker on my team any day. Punter Tommy Townsend is ranked 15th<\/sup> (just ahead of Bryce Baringer).\u00a0 Richie James is the primary Kickoff and Punt Return man.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0James is ranked 35th<\/sup> per Pro Football Reference.\u00a0 That is just ahead of Pop Douglas.\u00a0 He is a non-factor in the return game.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Game<\/p>\n

Kansas City is coming off an emotional loss to the Bills.\u00a0 They are going to try and take that out on the Pats Sunday.\u00a0 Trent Brown did not practice Thursday or Friday.\u00a0 We might see the same type of platoon with Connor McDermott at Left Tackle.\u00a0 Demario Douglas has been cleared to play and practiced all week.\u00a0 \u00a0Tackle Tyron Wheatley has been cleared to start practice off of IR.\u00a0 He was a full participant on Thursday and Friday.\u00a0 He does not have to be activated this week.\u00a0 Look for Kevin Harris to get elevated again at RB.\u00a0 Linebacker Christian Elliss should also be active.<\/p>\n

The Patriots\u2019 Defense has been one of the better defenses in the league since week 11.\u00a0 \u00a0Currently they are ranked 8th<\/sup> on the season.\u00a0 KC is ranked 6th<\/sup>. \u00a0\u00a0The Chiefs are 20th<\/sup> against the rush and the Pats are 3rd<\/sup>.\u00a0 I think the weakness in the Chiefs defense is their Safeties.\u00a0 The Patriots\u2019 strength is in their rush offense.\u00a0 Look for another big game from Ezekiel Elliott.<\/p>\n

Can the Patriots\u2019 keep Mahomes contained and not let him gain time for his receivers to get open.\u00a0 The Special Teams might be a wash with KC having the edge with Harrison Butkers kicking.<\/p>\n

Look for another close game with Bailey Zappe and the offense doing just enough to pull out a win.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monday Night Football Game Flexed Out<\/p>\n

Why was the game flexed out of Monday Night Football?\u00a0 I can understand the league wanted to get better competition for their TV partners.\u00a0 The TV rights cost a lot of money and is a big reason why the league has been able to increase revenues for the owners.\u00a0 But it was Robert Kraft who negotiated that deal.\u00a0 The league doesn\u2019t give a crap about the fans of these two teams.\u00a0 Many fans from KC and beyond had made arrangements to travel for the Monday Night game.\u00a0 They cannot get their money back on airline tickets.\u00a0 They could make new reservations but at a cost to them.\u00a0 Maybe they can\u2019t go to a game on Sunday.\u00a0 Why not have two games on Monday night like they did this past Monday?\u00a0 Why punish the Patriots and their fans?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Malik Cunnigham Signed Off Patriots Practice Squad<\/p>\n

This is another foible by Bill Belichick as the GM.\u00a0 The Patriots lost Cunningham for nothing.\u00a0 Granted the Ravens style of Offense is more in line with Cunnigham\u2019s Quarterback skills.\u00a0 Did they really need him?\u00a0 No, Cunnigham will be a 4th<\/sup> quarterback on their 53-man roster.\u00a0 Instead of a change of pace running QB, the Patriots keep 7 special teams only players.\u00a0 Cunningham may never be a starting QB in the league, but I just hate losing players with potential.\u00a0 Officially Cunnigham was active for only 1 game.\u00a0 Why not use him in the short yardage \u201cTush Push\u201d type of play?\u00a0 I just think his is another indication that the league has passed Bill Belichick by.\u00a0 He is a relic and needs to go now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taylor Swift Phenomenon<\/p>\n

It is a big deal the romance between KCs Travis Kelce and the pop singer.\u00a0 The league and media are playing it up and it is introducing a lot of new fans.\u00a0 I don\u2019t care for Taylor Swift and I think she has little talent and is just a product of her music publisher and record company.\u00a0 It has been reported that she will be in attendance on Sunday as she has a residence in Rhode Island.\u00a0 What is the Over\/Under on the number of times she will be flashed on the TV screen and Big Screen in the Stadium?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Patriots can play the role of spoiler as the Kansas City Chiefs visit Foxboro on Sunday.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":46347,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news"],"yoast_head":"\nMORSE: Patriots Preview of the Kansas City Chiefs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Patriots can play the role of spoiler as the Kansas City Chiefs visit Foxboro on Sunday.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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