Patriots lead in the AFC grows with Chiefs’ back-to-back losses
The New England Patriots remain perfect through six weeks of the NFL season, while the preseason Super Bowl favorite, Kansas City Chiefs have dropped to 4-2. The Chiefs have shown some vulnerability on defense that not even Patrick Mahomes can overcome, and the rest of the league smells blood in the water. Both of the Chiefs consecutive losses were home games for Andy Reid and company, so their is no excuse for how they’ve played. Last week, they were beat by the Indianapolis Colts, who are led by backup quarterback, Jacoby Brissette. This past weekend, they were bested by the Houston Texans who followed a similar game plan to the Colts. This means that there is a blueprint out there to beat the Chiefs, and it starts and ends with their below average defense.
The Chiefs suffering these two losses so early in the season is huge for the Patriots. They are now clearly in the driver’s seat of the AFC playoff picture. For the Chiefs to regain the number one seed in the AFC, they have to be perfect. With 10 games left in the season, they cannot afford to go anything less that 9-1 in those games to realistically reclaim that top spot. This becomes even more difficult now that teams know how to attack the Chiefs. The Chiefs’ regular season schedule was ranked the 2nd most difficult among the entire NFL this season, although they are almost through the tougher of the two halves of it.
They still have to go to Foxborough in early December and if they cannot get a win there, they might as well kiss the number one seed goodbye. New England’s schedule on the other hand, looks easier after every week. The Cleveland Browns at one point looked like one of the Patriots‘ toughest opponents this season, but after six weeks, they are 2-4 and are struggling to separate themselves from the rest of a below average AFC North division. The Dallas Cowboys also have to play in New England just before Thanksgiving. They have now lost three straight games after starting the season 3-0. They have lost their identity on offense and it seems like they are starting to spiral out of control.
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It is very conceivable for the Patriots to finish the season 15-1. They have a favorable schedule and I believe they have played their worst games of the season already. The game against Buffalo and the game against the Giants were both very sloppy, but they got the job done and are now in the middle of a week and a half break in between games. N’Keal Harry has also been cleared to rejoin the team at practice this week and will be eligible to play in two weeks. They have also brought back Ben Watson after previously releasing him.
I would still watch out for the Patriots to make a move for a receiver before the trade deadline, especially after seeing how thin they were on Thursday night against the Giants. For now, we can breath knowing that the Chiefs have some problems of their own that need fixing before they start focusing on dethroning the Patriots. When the road to the Super Bowl goes through Foxborough, good things happen for the Patriots.