New England Patriots vs Kansas City Chiefs: Scouting Report
By Hal Bent
When the Patriots pass the ball
The New England passing game has been a mess. Injuries on the offensive line and a revolving door early in the season at wide receiver has this unit searching desperately for answers.
Before last week, Tom Brady had not topped 300 yards passing since Week 6 against the Giants. The three games coming out of the bye week saw Brady complete just 55 percent, 46 percent and 51 percent of his passes.
It is December now, and New England has just four regular season games to play. There are no longer any excuses for the inefficient passing game. Julian Edelman’s shoulder is as healthy as it is going to get without extended rest, Mohamed Sanu should be as close to full strength in the coming games as he can be pushing through an ankle injury, and Phillip Dorsett is recovered from his concussion.
Rookie Jakobi Meyers has been with the team all season and has no excuse for not running the offense properly. Tight end Ben Watson has been back for awhile and Matt LaCosse is finally healthy. N’Keal Harry needs to be used in ways to highlight his skills instead of running generic “Chris Hogan” pass routes.
Despite all those problems, the Chiefs may be the perfect remedy for the New England passing offense. Kansas City has a defense that ranks 16th in points allowed, 25th in yards allowed, 29th in first downs allowed, and 16th in passing yards allowed. Emmanuel Ogbah (5.5 sacks) is on injured reserve and Frank Clark (five sacks) is a game-time decision after not practicing all week due to illness.
The Chiefs’ safeties have been their strength with the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu (three interceptions), and Juan Thornhill (two interceptions) driving the defense. Their playmaking and big play ability overshadows a below-average cornerback group. Daniel Sorenson comes on for the three safety looks on nickel and dime defense looks.
Kendall Fuller is playing only by default with injuries to journeyman Morris Claiborne and rookie Rashad Fenton. Second-year cornerback Charvarius Ward is the top cornerback, and former Redskins and Packers cornerback Bashaud Breeland is just average.
If there is a get-well game for the New England passing offense, this could be the game. Julian Edelman should be able to have his way with Fuller, and Sanu will be a handful for Breeland and Ward.