New England Patriots: Under-the-Radar Performers for Kansas City Who Could Have a Huge Impact Monday Night
By Hal Bent
Tight ends Travis Kelce and Anthony Fasano:
Sep 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) and tight end Anthony Fasano (80) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs starting tight end Anthony Fasano is well known to the New England Patriots from his previous years spent in Miami. The big tight end may lack speed, quickness, and agility, but he understands route-running, body position, and finding a soft spot in a zone defense. An able run blocker, he has been targeted 12 times in three games with 8 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. Per pro-football-reference.com, Fasano has had 24 receptions in 9 career games against Bill Belichick and the Patriots defense for 373 yards and a huge 15.5 yards per reception. Fasano has excelled against the Patriots’ soft zone defenses and big and nonathletic linebackers.
In addition to Fasano, the Chiefs have last season’s third round draft pick Travis Kelce. Kelce missed all of 2013 due to a knee injury that required surgery during the season. Kelce was really never healthy last year but has been at full strength to date. With ten receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown in three games, Kelce gives the Chiefs’ offense a different look. He is a willing blocker but is a weapon in the short passing game with the size and speed to be a match-up issue whether covered by a safety or linebacker. If linebacker Jamie Collins is not healthy for New England they could have problems trying to slow the athletic young tight end.