Chiefs’ keys vs. Patriots: Keep tabs on that pesky Julian Edelman
No Tom Brady on the opposing sideline, but this remains a marquee matchup.
The Chiefs (3-0) host the New England Patriots (2-1) in Week 4 action at Arrowhead Stadium, marking a fourth consecutive regular season in which they meet.
Kansas City holds a 19-16-3 edge in the all-time series, including the postseason, and defeated the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Week 14 of the 2019 season.
With Andy Reid at the helm, the Chiefs have averaged 32.8 points against the Patriots in six regular-season and postseason games while topping 40 points three times.
Defensively, the Patriots remain one of the NFL’s top units, ranking 11th against the pass, 11th in points allowed, 12th in total yards allowed per game and tied for first in takeaways (7).
Of course, all eyes will be on New England’s quarterback position, which will have Brian Hoyer starting with Cam Newton, a three-time Pro Bowler and the 2015 NFL MVP with the Carolina Panthers, out because of COVID-19.
Here are some key areas to monitor for the Chiefs as they seek to improve to 4-0:
MAHOMES VS. BELICHICK, ROUND IV
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 930 total yards and eight touchdowns in three games, including the postseason, against the Patriots. But the superstar signal-caller holds a 1-1 record in the regular season and is 0-1 in the playoffs against Bill Belichick’s team.
Arguably no head coach in the NFL can devise a defensive scheme like Belichick, so look for the same again when the Chiefs and Patriots renew acquaintances.
The one defensive player Mahomes must find at the line of scrimmage is Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
“It’s a great challenge for us, that entire defense is, every single time we play them,” Mahomes said. “He’s a guy that you have to know where he’s out on the field, and you have to know that he’s going to be a physical guy that’s going to really contest every single play that you go his way.”
Gilmore can take away an opponent’s top wide receiver, so it wouldn’t surprise to see him locked up against Tyreek Hill for most the game. If that happens, Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman must step up like they did last season.
KEEP TABS ON EDELMAN
Newton picked up where Brady left off by utilizing wide receiver Julian Edelman as his go-to guy.
Through three games, Edelman paces the Patriots with 15 catches for 259 yards on 24 targets, averaging a healthy 17.3 yards per catch.
The 5-foot-10, 198-pound Edelman can do it all while either splitting wide or inside, and he gave the Chiefs fits in last season’s game with eight catches for 95 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets.
He’s averaging eight targets per game entering Sunday’s action, so the Chiefs’ banged-up cornerback group, which saw rookie L’Jarius Sneed (shoulder) land on injured reserve this week, better pack a lunch for a busy day.
SUSTAIN DRIVES
It’s no secret the Patriots will want to keep the ball away from the Chiefs, but the best way for Kansas City to counter the strategy is convert third downs and keep drives alive.
The Patriots’ defense ranks seventh in the league in third-down conversion rate (37 percent), but the Chiefs and the Mahomes-led offense are in a good position to test New England.
Through three games, the Chiefs are converting a league-high 58.5 percent on third-down attempts. The Chiefs also boast a 70 percent red-zone touchdown rate.
While the Patriots will do all they can to keep their own drives alive, this could set up a good game for Chiefs rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who totaled 134 yards (64 rushing, 70 receiving) in Week 3’s win over the Baltimore Ravens.
And the Patriots, on paper, provide a good matchup to potentially exploit if the Chiefs decide to run the ball. New England ranks 19th against the run, allowing 122.3 yards per game.
This story was originally published October 2, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
