Are the Chiefs the Biggest Threat to the Patriots?

Rick:  Right now, the Chiefs look like the team that would give the Patriots the biggest challenge in the AFC, regardless of venue. The Chiefs could play in the cold weather at Foxboro and they bring a physical level that matches with what the Patriots showed last Sunday. Kansas City has a great rushing attack with Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis, they can get pressure on Tom Brady and force mistakes, and they have a quarterback in Alex Smith that knows how to manage a game and not make mistakes. This game would worry New England more, in my opinion, if this game was at Arrowhead Stadium.

Raj: Most definitely. We saw that the Patriots were really off with everything in that last match up against the Chiefs. But because the game was in Kansas City, that extra crowd advantage made the Pats look even worse. But let’s not discredit the Chiefs because they also have an amazing team. Their running back is doing great things on offense and their defense is a force to be reckoned with. Of course, I’m sure Chiefs fans are saying the same about the Patriots. That being said, the Chiefs are still a team the Patriots should be worried about. However, I think if they meet again and the game is in Foxboro, the advantage heavily favors New England. Even if the game is in Kansas City (I hope not), the current Patriots team would play a lot different than the week 4 Patriots, making the match up even more interesting.

Derek: I think we can pretty much disregard everything that we saw from the Patriots in Week 4.   If NE and KC were to meet up again, it would likely be in the friendly confines of Foxboro.  I do not like Andy Reid over Bill Belichick in a road playoff game, and the rejuvenated Patriots defense should have a field day against Alex Smith and the overall lack of firepower from Kansas City.  A rematch would almost certainly not be a repeat.  The biggest threat to the Patriots remains Peyton Manning and the Broncos.  Overlooking them would be a big mistake.