This Week
The New England Patriots visit the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday at 8:30 p.m.
| The Patriots |
The Chiefs |
|||
| Overall Record | 2-1 | Overall Record | 1-2 | |
| Road Record | 1-1 | Home Record | 0-1 | |
| AFC West | 1-0 | AFC East | 1-0 | |
| AFC Conf | 1-1 | AFC Conf | 1-2 | |
John Parry is the referee for the game
The Line/Prediction
As of Thursday the line on the game from sportsbetting.ag via Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 3. The over/under is 44.5.
My prediction is Patriots 24, Chiefs, 20. Give the points (Patriots) and take the under. I am 2-1 against the spread and 1 of 3 on calling the over/under in 2014.
Tickets
Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here.
Getting to the Game
If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Kansas City MO make sure you check out the links.
Kansas City Road Trip Travel Guide
Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Kansas City MO
Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking information and map and an Arrowhead Stadium seating chart.
Tailgating
Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com. There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack. I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good.
And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages. With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks. You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.
Whether it’s at the game, a bar or a friend’s house moderation is always the key to a great time. Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver. Remember drive sober or get pulled over.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN is televising the game nationally, Mike Tirico will do play by play while Jon Gruden will provide the game analysis and Lisa Salters will work the sidelines.
In the Boston MA market you can also watch the game on WCVB Channel 5.
In the Kansas City MO market you can also watch the game on KMBC Channel 9.
There is no DirecTV designation as the game is broadcast nationally.
Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules; flex scheduling and commercial breaks.
Radio
The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Bob Socci handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m. on the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.
The Patriots Radio Network call is available on Sirius Channel 93, XM Channel 225 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.
The Chiefs Radio Network has Mitch Holtus calling the game while Hall of Fame QB Len Dawson provides the game analysis and Kendall Gammon covers the sideline via their flagship station KCFX-FM, 101 The Fox.
Their call is available on Sirius Channel 92, XM Channel 226 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 815.
Westwood One will carry the game nationally to its affiliates. Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner and Laura Okmin will call the game.
Their call is available on Sirius Channel 88, XM Channel 88 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 88.
Patriots All Access
Patriots All-Access features behind the scenes looks, interviews and breakdowns with head coach Bill Belichick and in depth features on the team. It’s hosted by Steve Burton of WBZ-TV (Boston) and airs weekly in most New England television markets.
- Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
- Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
- Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
- Portland ME on WMTW Saturday at 5 a.m.
- Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
- Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
- Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.
You can also watch it anytime on the teams website in the media section.
Last Week
The Patriots struggled to get past the Raiders, 16-9 in their home opener.
The Chiefs crushed the Dolphins in Miami, 34-15.
History
- This is the 33rd meeting between the Patriots and the Chiefs since 1960 in the AFL when the Chiefs were the Dallas Texans.
- Kansas City leads the overall series 16-13-3.
- The Patriots have won 6 of the last 8 meetings dating back to 1998.
- New England beat Kansas City in their last meeting in 2011 at Gillette Stadium, 34-3.
Patriots Team Notes
Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
2014 Patriots Schedule/Results
The Patriots overall franchise record is 440-374-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances. Overall they are 25-18 in the post season.
They last appeared in the playoffs in 2013 when they beat Indianapolis in the AFC Divisional Round 43-22 and lost at Denver 26-16 in the AFC Championship Game.
It was the 3rd consecutive AFC Championship game appearance for the franchise and 10th overall. They are 7-3 in those AFC title games.
The Patriots were 12-4 (1-1 in playoffs) in 2013 and are the defending five-time AFC East Champions. They have won the division 11 times and the conference 5 times since 2000.
New England is the only NFL team to finish .500 or better in each of the last 13 seasons (2001-2013).
They have 11 consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins.
They are the first team in the free agency era (1993) to win more than half their games in a 13-season span.
Since 2003 the Patriots have the NFL’s best record at 140-39.
Overall against the AFC West since the 2002 realignment New England is 19-11 including playoffs.
They are 8-8 vs. the AFC West on the road since 2002.
The Patriots are 3-10-1 on the road in the series since 1960. Their last win at Arrowhead was in 2004 on MNF.
They are 22-23 on MNF in the franchise history. They are 11-15 overall in road games on MNF.
Last year they were 0-1 on MNF losing at Carolina, 24-20.
This is New England’s first visit to Arrowhead since 2005.
New England has 30 penalties this season in three weeks and has been penalized 322 yards. That ranks 30th in the NFL.
In week 3 the Patriots held the Raiders to 67 rushing yards after holding the Vikings to 54 rushing yards in Week 2.
The Patriots have a takeaway in each game in 2014 and are on pace for 43 takeaways which would be third highest in the team history.
They have a league high 8 takeaways in 2014.
Since 1994 the Patriots lead the NFL in turnover margin with a PLUS163. The Chiefs are second in that time frame with a PLUS 91.
New England is PLUS 6 in turnover differential tied for 1st in the NFL. They have 6 INT and have recovered 2 fumbles while they have thrown 0 INT’s and lost 2 fumbles.
The Patriots are tied for 14th in points scored averaging 22.0 points per game and are tied for 4th in fewest points allowed with 16.3 points per game.
This is the 21st season of Patriots ownership by the Kraft family. Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:
- Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
- Have the most regular season wins, 219.
- Have the most wins including playoffs, 240.
- Have the most conference titles, 6.
- Have the most division titles, 13.
- Have the most playoff wins, 21
- Have played the most playoff games, 33.
- Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 15.
- The fewest head coaches within the division, 3.
- Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.
From 1960 to 1993 the New England/Boston Patriots won a total of 225 games.
Patriots Staff Notes
This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Chiefs.
Bill Belichick is 7-2 against Kansas City, 5-1 as the head coach in New England.
He is 16-9 on MNF, 15-6 as the Patriots head coach. With New England he is 8-5 on the road on MNF.
Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 201-106 in his 20th NFL season as a head coach. He is 165-62 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 19-9 in the playoffs, 18-8 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 220-115.
Belichick’s 220 wins are good for 5th all-time. Hall of Fame member Curly Lambeau is 4th with 229 wins.
He has won 5 conference titles; he needs one more to tied Don Shula’s record of 6.
He is the first head coach to have had 4 teams that scored at least 500 points in a season.
Belichick is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father (Steve Belichick) played in the league. The others are former Kansas City head coach Todd Haley (Dick Haley), former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan (Dick Nolan), former Cincinnati head coach David Shula (Don Shula) and former NY Jets head coach Joe Walton (Frank Walton).
Belichick is one of just four coaches to win three Super Bowls, joining Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3) and Bill Walsh (3). Those men are all in the Hall of Fame.
He is the only coach in NFL history to win three championship titles in four seasons.
No coach either as the head coach or an assistant has appeared in more Super Bowls than Belichick who has been to 8 (five as a head coach).
He is the only coach in NFL history to have led his team to 10+ wins in 11 consecutive seasons.
He has been NFL Coach of the Year three times he and Chuck Knox are the only three time winners, while Don Shula won four times.
Tight ends coach Brian Daboll served as the Chiefs offensive coordinator in 2012, helping them rank fifth in the NFL with 149.7 rushing yards per game.
Wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea broke into the NFL as a volunteer special teams assistant with the Chiefs in 2003. He then assisted with special teams and linebackers from 2004-05.
Patriots Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Solder
- LG: Cannon
- C: Stork
- RG: Connolly
- RT: Vollmer
- TE: Gronkowski
- WR: Edelman
- WR: LaFell
- QB: Brady
- RB: Ridley
- RB: Develin
Defense:
- DE: Ninkovich
- DT: Wilfork
- DT: Vellano
- DE: Cha. Jones
- LB: Collins
- LB: Mayo
- LB: Hightower
- LCB: Revis
- RCB: Arrington
- S: Chung
- S: McCourty
Patriots Players Notes
Tom Brady Notes:
- This is his 15th NFL season he is 4-1 vs. the Chiefs in his career. He is 66-31 on the road in the regular season.
- Brady is 13-5 on MNF with 42 TD passes and 15 INT’s. On the road on MNF his is 8-4 with 24 TD’s and 14 INT’s.
- Overall he is 150-44 as a starting QB and is 18-8 in the playoffs for an overall record of 168-52. He is a 9 time Pro Bowl QB; 3 time All-Pro selection; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP. He is also listed as the 21st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.
- He now has 41 wins in his career (34 in the regular season and 7 in the playoffs) in which the team was trailing or tied in the fourth quarter. He had 5 comeback wins in 2013.
- The 5 comeback wins in 2013 tie his career best set in 2003.
- Has not thrown an INT in first three weeks of the season.
- 362 TD passes in his career makes him 5th in NFL history 3 TD passes behind John Elway.
- 150 career wins are 3rd all-time behind only Brett Favre and Peyton Manning.
- He has thrown for 2 or more TD’s in 115 games; the team’s record is 98-17.
- Needs 229 passing yards for 50,000 in his career. He is 6th all-time in passing yards.
Rob Gronkowski notes:
- Has caught a pass in 53 consecutive games it’s the 4th longest streak all-time for a tight end. Heath Miller is 3rd with a catch in 82 consecutive games.
- Leads team in TD’s with 2.
- He is 10th in points in franchise history.
- Is 7th in team history with 45 touchdowns.
- He is 4th in team history with 44 TD catches.
Julian Edelman notes:
- Has a streak of 9 consecutive games with at least 6 catches.
- Has 4 career games with 10 or more catches after a 10-catch game Week 3 vs. Oakland.
- Leads team in receiving with 22 catches for 260 yards.
- Had a 34-yard punt return at Minnesota Week 2 it was the 11th punt return of 30 yards or more in his career. That ranks third in team history.
- Opened the season with a 95 receiving yards at Miami and added 81 yards receiving at Minnesota Week 2.
- Had 156 total yards Week 2 at Minnesota (81 receiving, 9 rushing and 66 on punt returns).
Stevan Ridley notes:
- Had his first 100- yard rushing game of the season Week 2 at Minnesota when he ran for 101 yards on 25 carries and had 1 TD.
- Leads team in rushing with 176 yards on 52 carries.
Stephen Gostkowski notes:
- Has converted 27 consecutive 4th quarter field goals.
- Has not missed an extra point since Week 17 2006 at Tennessee in his rookie season. He has made 366 consecutive extra points. He is 405 for 406 in his career for 99.8%.
- The 367 XPA converted in a row is fourth longest streak in NFL history.
- Lead NFL in scoring in both 2012 and 2013.
- Has scored at least 1 point in 110 consecutive games a franchise record.
- He is 3rd in team history in points with 1,053 trailing only Gino Cappelletti (1,130) and Adam Vinatieri (1,158).
- Has team record of 12 career field goals of 50+ yards.
Vince Wilfork notes:
- Played only 4 games in 2013 after suffering a torn Achilles.
- Prior to 2013 had played in all 16 games in 5 of the previous 6 seasons.
- Had his 3rd career INT vs. Oakland Week 3. He is the first Patriots lineman to have 3 career INT’s.
- Has an INT against the Raiders in each of the last two games against them.
- Has 7 fumbles recoveries since 2010 the second most in the NFL in that span behind teammate Rob Ninkovich.
Darrelle Revis notes:
- Has 22 career INT’s and is one of the top shutdown corners in the NFL.
- Since 2007 has the most passes defensed in the NFL with 110 including a record 31 in 2009.
- In Patriots debut Week 1 at Miami had 1 tackles, 2 passes defensed and recovered a fumble.
- Had his first Patriots INT Week 2 at Minnesota against Matt Cassel. Also had 3 tackles and 1 pass defensed.
Jerod Mayo notes:
- Leads team with 29 tackles (18 solo).
- Had streak of five consecutive 100+ tackle seasons snapped last year due to injury. He has led the team in tackles in those five seasons (2008-2012).
- Shares franchise record for leading team in tackles for 5 seasons with Steve Nelson and Vincent Brown.
- Week 1 at Miami he had 12 tackles and the teams only sack.
Rob Ninkovich notes:
- In 6 seasons with New England has only missed one game.
- Week 2 at Minnesota had 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 2 QB hits.
Dont’a Hightower notes:
- Second on team in tackles with 18 (15 solo).
- Tied for first on team with 2 sacks.
- Along with Chandler Jones he led team with 8 tackles and 2 sacks Week 2 at Minnesota. He also had 2 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits and 1 pass defensed.
- Had his first career 2-sack game Week 2 at Minnesota.
Chandler Jones notes:
- Third on team in tackles with 16 (9 solo).
- Tied for first on team with 2 sacks.
- Scored his 2nd NFL TD Week 2 at Minnesota when he blocked a field goal attempt and returned it 58-yards. His first NFL TD was Week 16, 2013 at Baltimore on a fumble recovery. It was his second blocked field goal attempt (2013 Week 8 vs. Miami).
- Had the 5th blocked field goal returned for a TD in Patriots history Week 2 at Minnesota, first since 2010 when Patrick Chung returned one at Miami.
- Now has 5 career 2-sack games with a pair at Minnesota in Week 2.
- Along with Dont’a Hightower he led team with 8 tackles and 2 sacks Week 2 at Minnesota. He also had 3 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits, the blocked field goal attempt and return for TD.
Kyle Arrington notes:
- Week 2 at Minnesota had 3 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.
Dominique Easley notes:
- The 2014 1st Round pick (Florida) had his first NFL INT Week 2 at Minnesota. It was his first INT since high school.
There are only two players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3) and Wilfork (1).
Roster moves this week:
- none
Patriots team captains for 2014:
- QB Tom Brady
- G/C Dan Connolly
- WR Matthew Slater (special teams)
- DT Vince Wilfork
- LB Jerod Mayo
Former Chiefs on the Patriots:
- DL Kona Schwenke (Practice Squad)
Players with New England roots:
- none
Players with Missouri roots:
- C/G Dan Connolly – St. Louis
Players from New England based colleges and universities:
- RB James Develin – Brown
Players from Missouri based colleges and universities:
- C/G Dan Connolly – SE Missouri State
The Patriots have 6 retired numbers:
- 20 – Gino Cappelletti
- 40 – Mike Haynes
- 73 – John Hannah
- 78 – Bruce Armstrong
- 79 – Jim Lee Hunt
- 89 – Bob Dee
Chiefs Team Notes
Here is the Chiefs roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
Kansas City’s all-time record is 416-395-12 they are 8-15 in the post season with their last post season appearance coming in 2013 when they lost on the road to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Wild Card game.
They have played in two Super Bowls, winning one Super Bowl IV vs. Minnesota 23-7.
They also have won 3 AFL Championships (1962, 1966, 1969).
They were the AFL representative in Super Bowl I vs. Green Bay on January 15, 1966 and lost 35-10.
Originally started play in the AFL in 1960 as the Dallas Texans before Lamar Hunt moved them to Kansas City for the 1963 season.
A Guinness World Record auditor will be on hand as the Arrowhead crowd will attempt to reclaim their title as the loudest outdoor stadium, currently held by the Century Link Field crowd in Seattle.
3M Corp is donating 36,000 pairs of earplugs for those who want them.
Kansas City got its first win of 2014 in Miami Week 3.
Chiefs had 4 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and 6 QB pressures at Miami Week 3.
This is the 4th MNF meeting between the Chiefs and Patriots and 2nd in a row. The Chiefs are 0-3 vs. the Patriots on MNF.
The Super Bowl IV Champion Chiefs were on the second ever MNF telecast at Baltimore on September 28, 1970.
Kansas City is 22-17 on MNF. They are 12-7 as the home team.
Since 2003 the Chiefs have the 3rd most rushing TD’s with 177 behind San Diego (191) and New England (200).
Offensively the Chiefs are better than the Patriots in yards per game, rushing yards per game, passing yards per game, yards per play, third down pct and red zone TD pct.
Since 1994 Kansas City is second in the NFL in turnover margin at PLUS 91, New England is first with PLUS 163.
Kansas City has 14 penalties this season in three weeks and has been penalized 110 yards. 4th fewest in the NFL.
The Chiefs are 22nd in the NFL in points per game with 20.3. While they allow 21.7 points per game good for 13th in the NFL.
Kansas City is MINUS 5 in turnover differential, 32nd in the NFL. The offense has given up 3 INT and 4 fumbles, while the defense has 0 INT and 2 fumble recoveries.
Chiefs Staff Notes
Hear what Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had to say to the media about the match up.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is in his 16th season as a NFL head coach, 2nd in Kansas City. Overall in his NFL career Reid is 142-100-1 as a head coach. He is 12-7 with Kansas City and was 130-93-1 with Philadelphia. He is 10-10 in the playoffs, 0-1 as head coach of the Chiefs in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 152-110-1.
He is the 13th head coach in Chiefs franchise history he succeeded former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel after the 2012 season.
Reid is 1-4 vs. New England including a loss in Super Bowl XXXIX.
He is the winningest coach in Philadelphia Eagles history.
Of Reid’s 10 playoff losses, 4 were in NFC Conference Championship games and 1 was in the Super Bowl.
His teams have won 6 division championships and 1 conference championship since 1999.
Chiefs general manager John Dorsey played linebacker at UConn from 1980-83, where he was named two-time Defensive Player of the Year in the now-defunct Yankee Conference.
Kansas City’s Director of College Scouting Marvin Allen was drafted by the Patriots in the 11th round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He played four seasons with New England and then joined their front office for 12 more.
Doug Pederson is in his second season as the offensive coordinator. Prior to that he was the quarterbacks and offensive quality control coach under Reid in Philadelphia from 2009-12.
Bob Sutton is in his second season as the defensive coordinator. He was previously the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets under Eric Mangini from 2006-08.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub was an offensive lineman at Springfield College from 1980-81.
Chiefs quality control coach Mark DeLeone served as director of football operations/assistant offensive line coach at New Hampshire in 2009.
Assistant offensive line coach Eugene Chung was drafted by the Patriots in the first round (13th overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft and played forthree seasons with the team, earning all-rookie honors in 1992.
Defensive line coach Tommy Brasher served in the same capacity for the Patriots from 1982-84.
Chiefs Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Fisher
- LG: McGlynn
- C: Hudson
- RG: Fulton
- RT: Harris
- TE: Fasano
- WR: Avery
- WR: Bowe
- QB: A. Smith
- RB: Charles
- RB: Sherman
Defense:
- DE: Walker
- DT: Poe
- DT: Bailey
- DE: Houston
- LB: Mauga
- LB: Johnson
- LB: Hali
- LCB: Cooper
- RCB: S. Smith
- S: Coleman
- S: Abdullah
Chiefs Players Notes
Alex Smith notes:
- Drafted Number 1 overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Utah.
- He is in his 10th season in the NFL. This is his second season with the Chiefs and he is 12-6 in the regular season and 0-1 in the post season. In his career he has a 50-42-1 record in the regular season and is 1-2 in the post season for an overall record of 51-44-1.
- He has never face New England.
- He made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2013, his first season with Kansas City.
- He has 13 career game winning drives, 17th among active QB’s.
- Since 2010 has thrown only 30 INT’s the fewest in the league in that time span.
- Is second among QB’s in rushing yards (95) in 2014.
- Has the 3rd best QB winning pct since 2011 behind only Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
Jamaal Charles notes:
- Has three 20-yard games rushing in his career. They are the top three marks in Chiefs history.
- Also has the two longest runs (91 yards and 86 yards) in Chiefs history both for TD’s.
- Fifth in team history in rushing attempts.
- Fourth in team history in receptions (227) and fifth in receiving yards (1,998) by a RB.
Dwayne Bowe notes:
- Second in team history behind Tony Gonzalez in pass receptions with 478.
- Fourth in Chiefs history in receiving yards (6,473).
Tamba Hali notes:
- Third in Chiefs history in sacks (75.5)
- Tied with Neil Smith for second most forced fumbles by a Chief with 29.
Former Chiefs WR Frank Pitts who played in Super Bowl I and IV is the grandfather of Patriots RB Brandon Bolden.
Kansas City’s captains for 2014 are:
- Named on a weekly basis
Former Patriots playing for the Chiefs:
- none
Players from New England colleges or universities:
- RB Anthony Sherman – UConn
- DE Mike Devito – Eastham MA
Players with New England ties:
- RB Anthony Sherman – North Attleboro MA
- DE Mike Devito – Maine
The Chiefs have retired ten numbers.
- 3 – Jan Stenerud
- 16 – Len Dawson
- 18 – Emmitt Thomas
- 28 – Abner Hayes
- 33 – Stone Johnson
- 36 – Mack Lee Hill
- 58 – Derrick Thomas
- 63 – Willie Lanier
- 78 – Bobby Bell
- 86 – Buck Buchanan
Next Week
Up next: Cincinnati Bengals – AFC North
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro MA
Date/Time: October 5 at 8:20 p.m.
TV Network: NBC
