How Did The New England Patriots React To Win Over Chiefs?

Akiem Hicks

(On if it feels better to have a nice win after the way the team finished down the stretch)

“Playoff time, you really try to put every other game during the regular season [behind you]; it’s almost a new season. You try to put all that stuff behind you and move on, so now it’s another set of one-game seasons. That’s how we approached it.”

(On if he was impressed with how close Kansas City kept it)

“Like I said earlier, all respect to Kansas City. A great team and we knew that coming in here. Great offensive line, great quarterback, great skill positions, special teams, just a great team, and you saw it went down to the end, fought all the way through.”

(On his first playoff game as a member of the Patriots)

“You can’t take those for granted. I was in New Orleans for three years and went to the playoffs one year. We came up and beat Philadelphia then went down and lost to Seattle the year they won the Super Bowl, so you just can’t take these moments for granted and you’ve got to always be prepared.”

Josh Kline

(On the multiple changes on the offensive line throughout the season)

“It’s a challenge, but we prepare for it and guys have stepped up in different roles and different positions and played well and have done their job, so I’m proud of the guys.”

(On the play of rookie offensive lineman Shaq Mason this season)

“He’s a battler. He’s very athletic and he’s a good kid and he works hard and tries to take the coaching from Googe [Dave DeGuglielmo] and tries to take the coaching from us [the offensive line]. He played well tonight.”

(On if he prefers an up-tempo offensive play style)

“It helps us out against the pass rush, but I mean, we’re tired too.”

Keshawn Martin

(On the impact Julian Edelman had)

“When you get 11 back it makes things out there easier; not just for a couple players, but for everybody. You’ve got to worry about so many different players out there and it was a good job by everybody today.”

(On the offense passing on 14 straight plays to open the game)

“Well, we prepared all week. We knew what they were going to do and I felt like we did a good job coming out and executing today.”

(On how comfortable he is playing with the Patriots)

“I definitely feel comfortable out there just with all the guys. The offense is running smooth. I just want to make as many plays as I can when I’m out there and we were able to get the win today and do that.”

(On signing his two-year contract extension with the Patriots)

“It feels good knowing those guys here believe in me and they want me for a couple more years, so I’m happy.”

Jabaal Sheard

(On the Kansas City Chiefs)

“They’re a good team. They’re smart, they take their shots, but we did a good job of controlling them.”

(On the fumble forced by Chandler Jones)

“The fumble was a huge play, big-play Chan. He’s always making plays for us. It was a smart play by him, definitely.”

(On losing Jamie Collins and Jerod Mayo)

“We’ve got to keep playing. We’ve got to just go out there and do your job.”

Matthew Slater

(On the keys to the team’s continued success)

“I can give you two big reasons: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Obviously I think Mr. [Robert] Kraft plays a big part of that as well, but from there, there are probably a thousand other reasons with those three guys. They’re a big reason why.”

(On getting Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski back)

“It changes everything. Julian Edelman is a very unique player in this league and the things that he’s able to do, inside and outside route running-wise, poses a lot problems. You’re maybe looking at the tight end of, definitely his generation, but maybe the best tight end that’s ever laced them up. Obviously that says a lot in itself.”

(On what they expected from Kansas City)

“It’s tough to say because this team was playing so well. A lot of credit to them for what they did this season; for battling back from 1-5. We knew it was going to be tough. We didn’t know how the game was going to go. Obviously we’ve had some interesting injury situations and you never know how those are going to go. I think we were very fortunate today with the way everything went.”