Five things to know about the Chiefs’ next opponent: New England Patriots
What an incredible win, right?
The Chiefs easily dispatched of the Ravens 34-20 in Baltimore on Monday night in what was supposed to be a close battle between the best teams in the AFC.
There isn’t much time to celebrate that win because the schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Chiefs as the Patriots visit Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.
New England, 2-1, is coming off a 36-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Each week I take an early look at the Chiefs’ next opponent, and here are five things to know about the Patriots ahead of the game, which kicks off at 3:25 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS (KCTV-5):
1. A new QB
After Tom Brady departed as a free agent following the 2019 season, the Patriots signed former Panthers star Cam Newton. In three games, Newton has completed 62 of 91 passes for 714 yards. He has two touchdown passes and two interceptions.
Newton also has rushed for 149 yards (4.3 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns.
2. Pass catchers
Julian Edelman is Newton’s top receiver with 15 receptions (24 targets) for 259 yards, but no touchdowns. N’Keal Harry has 15 catches for 145 yards, while running back Rex Burkhead has 11 receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Burkhead showed some deft moves and toughness on this touchdown catch against the Raiders:
3. Top rushing team
Running back Sony Michel has 173 yards rushing in 26 attempts with one touchdown. He’s been the main back since James White has missed the last two games after his father died and his mother was seriously injured in a car crash.
Thanks to Newton and Michel, the Patriots have the NFL’s top rushing offense (178 yards per game). The Patriots rolled up 209 rushing yards in 26 carries against Las Vegas. Rookie J.J. Taylor chipped in with 43 yards in 11 attempts.
Michel gashed the Raiders on this play:
4. Taking it away
New England’s defense remains as opportunistic as usual as the Patriots are plus-four in takeaways, which is third in the NFL.
The Boston Globe noted New England has forced seven turnovers in 30 opponent drives this season (23.3%). Last year’s team forced turnovers on 17.3 percent of drives, second-most in the NFL.
Their pass defense is ranked 11th (235 yards per game), while the rushing defense is 19th (122 ypg).
The Patriots only have five sacks over the first three games, but opposing teams have converted just 37% of their third-down plays.
New England led the league in one preseason stat: Eight players opted out this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung.
5. Special teams
Kicker Nick Foles is 4 for 6 in field-goal attempts, with both misses coming from beyond 40 yards. He also missed an extra-point attempt on Sunday.
Jake Bailey is averaging 46.7 yards per punt and handles kickoffs for the Patriots.
