Chiefs-Pats players to watch: start with Chris Jones, who’s playing at different level
The Chiefs are about to face another version of the opponent they just played.
Much like the Baltimore Ravens the Chiefs beat Monday night, the New England Patriots are a strong running team, but with Cam Newton out because of COVID-19, backup Brian Hoyer most likely won’t be as big of a problem for defenses to account for on the ground.
Against the Ravens last week, the Chiefs surrendered some rushing yards (158) but held Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore passing game in check. The same approach would bode well for the Chiefs on Monday at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is 6:05 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised by CBS (Ch. 5).
Here are some players to watch from both teams.
Patriots running back Sony MIchel
The third-year pro had his best game of the season in the Pats’ victory over the Raiders last week, rushing for 117 yards. He had two rushes longer than 35 yards in the game. He didn’t have any in his NFL career before then. And Michel has done damage to the Chiefs in the past. In 2018, he posted a 106-yard, two-touchdown effort in a wild 43-40 Patriots victory.
Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones
Jones is a cog in the solid Patriots secondary, and he’s being highlighted here for his role in the coverage of Raiders tight end Darren Waller. Entering Sunday’s game, Waller had 18 receptions, but Jones was among a group that shared the responsibility of throwing a wet blanket Waller’s way, holding him to two receptions on four targets. The Patriots will look to shut down the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce this weekend, but it won’t be easy. Kelce is off to the best start of his career, with 21 receptions through three games.
Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill
Mark it down. Hill will have five receptions and a touchdown Sunday. That’s been his output in each of the first three games for the Chiefs this season. As a bonus, he added a 22-yard run on an end-around on the Chiefs’ first snap against the Ravens Monday night. Hill is the first Chiefs wide receiver with scoring receptions in each of the team’s first three games, and he and Patrick Mahomes have linked up for 10 touchdown plays of 20 or more yards since 2018, the most of any NFL duo.
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones
We’ll know more about his groin injury as the week progresses, but he was a force against the Ravens with two sacks and two forced fumbled. The Chiefs’ defense would be diminished if Jones is less than 100 percent or unavailable. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones holds the NFL’s top-pass rushing grade this season.
This story was originally published September 30, 2020 at 5:00 AM.