New England(-3)(-115) over Kansas City (1*)
- - With a mid-season surge stymied by two characteristic defeats, Kansas City is now reduced to being cast in the unfamiliar role of spoiler in the tough AFC. New England is used to the danger of getting a jacked up effort from every opponent they face. A visit from any contending team but the Patriots would seem a better formula for some salve on the Chief's wounds . . . I've done no better than tread water in any of the last five weeks, but I see value in this side of the coin flip.
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Providence Journal
(11/22/04):
Tonight, the Pats enter as slight favorites. That seems a bit odd considering they are 8-1 while the disappointing Chiefs are 3-6. But Kansas City is a highly unusual -- never mind disappointing -- 3-6 team.
"This is a really dynamic team. They are very dangerous," Pats coach Bill Belichick said of the Chiefs. "Offensively, we could stand up here for a couple of hours and talk about everything they've done. They have scored 100 points in their last couple homes games. They average 500 yards per game. They are leading the league in scoring the last couple years. They are practically at the top of the league in every single offensive statistic this year, particularly in rushing."
In Arrowhead . . . the Chiefs remain a major test. They have beaten division leaders in each of their last two home starts, belting Atlanta, 56-10, and outscoring Indianapolis, 45-35.
The Chiefs lead the NFL in total offense at 422.1 (the Pats are 10th at 348.8) and in rushing offense at 164.2 (the Pats are 12th at 124.3). The Chiefs are third in points scored, 28.6, New England sixth at 26.3.
Somehow, even with the great numbers, the Chiefs are on the verge of being eliminated from the playoff chase. After beginning last season 9-0, they have since gone 7-9. But they have not given up.
"Don't be surprised," coach Dick Vermeil warned, "if this team doesn't play outstanding, or is capable of playing better than our three-win record."
"Around the league, the Chiefs are still considered one of the premier teams," said New England linebacker Mike Vrabel.
If the Chiefs are going to derail the Patriots, they would do well to win convincingly. While New England has developed a habit of winning close games, Kansas City has been the anti-Patriots. It has had major problems closing games.
"In nine games, this team has been ahead five times going into the fourth quarter, tied twice and been behind by four points twice," Belichick pointed out. "So, every game for them virtually came down to the wire or they have been in control of the game, like the Atlanta game. Last year at this time, they were 9-0. This year, they are 3-6 and offensively they are better in every area."
Belichick obviously meant that as a compliment to the Chiefs. But after so many losses, it just as easily could be taken as a criticism. The Chiefs have found ways to lose, including early home games to Carolina and Houston, perhaps the two key games that have caused their downward spiral.
"You look at a couple of turnovers and this team is very close to being where it is last year, record-wise," Belichick said. "On the field, they might actually be a little bit better."
While turnovers -- or more specifically lack of them -- have hurt, defense has been the biggest culprit for the Chiefs. They are 27th in total defense, allowing 352.3. The Pats are 11th, at 315.3.
The Chiefs are expected to be without their star running back, Priest Holmes, although that did not seem to matter as Derrick Blaylock stepped in last week and ran for 186 yards at New Orleans. The night will be special for the Pats' running back, Corey Dillon.
The eight-year veteran has never played in the Monday Night spotlight. Dillon, who has piled up 900 yards in eight games -- all Patriots' wins -- is averaging five yards per carry, a mark no New England back has had in more than 20 years. Dillon has won praise from Belichick, and his teammates, not only for his performance but his attitude off the field, as well.
Most of the country knows him as much for his problems at Cincinnati as his performance. Tonight, Dillon gets his chance to change that.
