Kansas City Chiefs vs New England Patriots: Opening Night

The highly anticipated return of the NFL is finally upon us as tonight sees the Kansas City Chiefs travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts to take on the current Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. After the most dramatic end to the season last year which saw Tom Brady and co rally back from a 25 point deficit in the second half of the Super Bowl to beat the Atlanta Falcons (you may have heard about that a few times over the summer) the Patriots now look to get back to business as they aim for a sixth Lombardi trophy and a third title in four years.

The last time I posted /  blogged the Patriots were getting ready to host the Pittsburgh Steelers which was the opening game for the 2015 season; it was that season when the Chiefs and Pats last met with the Patriots winning 27-20 in the AFC divisional round. Within that two year time frame the Pats lost in the AFC title game to Denver in that same playoff year when they beat the Chiefs but came back with a vengeance last season as Tom Brady was banned for four games for his “involvement” in the deflate gate scandal (you may have heard of that as well). The Patriots went 3-1 in his absence and only lost one other game that season as they went 14-2; superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski has his season ended by injury but the Pats still managed to hoist the Lombardi trophy despite being faced with lots of adversity ranging from suspensions to injuries to the hugest of deficits.

One things for sure though and that is the fact that Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and everyone involved in the Patriots organisation will not rest on their laurels following the most spectacular of Super Bowl victories last season. Tom Brady could of ridden of in to the sunset now that he is 40 years old age but he has defied the norm and is playing arguably the best football of his life and some of the best football we’ve seen from anyone at the quarterback position. I find it quite fitting that the Patriots play the Chiefs tonight as it was Chiefs who dismantled New England 41-14 back in September 2014 and that is when all the talk of another title for the Pats was dismissed and some even suggested Brady was done for (who would be stupid enough to say that? Well surprisingly it was quite a few people). Needless to say that provided motivation and kickstarted the Patriots’ season which ultimately ended with a Super Bowl title. Now fast forward and here we are at the start of the 2017 season with Brady being touted as the GOAT (Greatest Of  All Time) now that he has 5 rings and continues to dominate. Now lets look at tonights game and what to expect:

Over the summer the Patriots have added to their roster to make it look even stronger in comparison to last season even with the season ending injury to Tom Brady’s favourite wide receiver Julian Edelman. Brandon Cooks was acquired from the New Orleans Saints and despite rumours that Super Bowl XLIX hero Malcom Butler was linked with a move in the other direction he stayed with the Pats and then Bill Belichick added corner Stephon Gilmore in free agency to make the Pats secondary even stronger. Rob Gronkowski is back from injury and everyone knows how much of a game changer he is on the field; he will be linked up with Dwayne Allen who has arrived from Indianapolis as the Pats look to implement the two tight end set that has been so successful in years gone by with the likes of Aaron Hernandez causing nightmares for opposition defences from 2010-2012 and most recently Martellus Bennett who was a key cog in the Pats passing attack last year especially when Gronk went down. Bennett received his pay day from Green Bay which is why Allen was acquired. 

The Chiefs will be no pushovers though as the current AFC West Champions look to build on their 12-4 season from a year ago which saw them reach the divisional round of the playoffs before losing to Pittsburgh. With the Patriots possessing a high powered offense that is predicted to be so devastating this upcoming season the Chiefs will need their defence to play to their best of their abilities and when they do they are quite devastating themselves as last season they were the best in the league when it came to forcing turnovers with 33 in total. The other key area for tonight is special teams where Kansas Chiefs possess a secret weapon who isn’t so secret now who goes by the name of Tyreek Hill; Hill averaged 27.4 yards per kick return and 15.2 yards per punt return last season and was a breath of fresh air to the Chiefs offense as well as special teams. The Chiefs offense has lacked that spark in years gone by and I expect Hill to have a great year especially with the departure of Jeremy Maclin. Alex Smith needs to rise to the occasion having been deemed as a game manager by many; he is a player who divides opinion and with rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes playing well in pre season Smith will need to look over his shoulder in case of any slip ups especially in a division that includes the Broncos, Raiders and Chargers where many slip ups can’t be afforded.

It is safe to say that Kansas City are at a bit of a crossroads this season as they need to take the next step to really progress; they have a very capable coach with one of the best football minds in the game and Andy Reid has helped reshape the franchise in to somewhat of a contender and he obviously drafted Mahomes with one eye on the future. With that being said he is a big believer in Alex Smith and despite Smith’s critics did you know that since he arrived in KC back in 2013 Smith has overseen 41 wins which is third in total in the NFL behind only Russell Willson with 43 and tonights opponent Tom Brady with 47 (no surprised there). If Kansas City are to silence any doubters and indeed take that next step then what better way than to knock off the Super Bowl champs on opening night? Well that won;t be such an easy feat as New England have won their past eight home openers played on opening weekend and in Tom Brady’s past 43 games against AFC opponents he is 41-2 including the postseason.

Many have tried to take on the Patriots and many have fallen but of course in the NFL anything is possible. Andy Reid will have spent at least the past 4 months wondering how he can stop this Patriots offense especially when you see that KC’s secondary is quite thin so they’ll have to be very wary of the likes of Cooks, Gronk and Chris Hogan tearing them up If the Patriots get going early on then it could be messy to watch for anyone associated with the Chiefs especially as the crowd will be pumped up to celebrate the Lombardi Trophy being paraded around the field before kick off. The key thing about that is though is that Brady and Belichick won’t let that distract them, in fact with all the experience and success they have now I find it hard to believe that anything distracts them and with their eyes on the prize to win another Super Bowl and create another dynasty well I think that tonight the Pats will put out a warning to the rest of the league with a convincing victory.

Prediction: Chiefs 17, Patriots 37

Playoffs: Saturday Wild Card picks

The NFL playoffs are set to begin in a few hours and I am back after some time to share my predictions with you all. Tonight sees the Colts host the Chiefs and the Eagles entertain the Saints with Sunday's lineup including the Chargers vs Bengals and a high profile matchup in the last game of the weekend when the 49ers travel to take on the Packers.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Indianapolis Colts

Both teams finished the season 11-5 and a week ago I had all my predictions set for this matchup including this one. After finally finding some time to blog and grabbing a decent nights rest yesterday I had a dream and for some reason it was about the Colts losing this game although for some reason the Chiefs QB had long hair and a weird beard so maybe Alex Smith will wear a wig tonight?

On paper this is a tough one to call because the Chiefs have been questioned a lot this year despite starting the season 9-0. At that point I told a very good friend of mine they would lose at least 4 games before the regular season ended and as we all know they have lost 5 of their last 7 including their last two; the defeat to the Chargers did see them rest their key players though. Andy Reid has revitalised the Chiefs by taking them to the postseason with the team looking to secure their first victory in the playoffs since Joe Montana was the quarterback which was now two decades ago yes back in 1994!

It may not have been as long as that since the Colts last won a playoff game but the last time they did win in the postseason they were also being led by a great quarterback; none other than Peyton Manning. They haven't won a playoff game since the 2009 season which ended in Super Bowl defeat to the New Orleans Saints. 2010 saw them lose to the Jets and 2010 was an off year for Indianapolis due to Manning's season ending shoulder injury but they got lucky with timing and drafted Andrew Luck who took them back to the postseason in his rookie year as well as helped guide the Colts to their first division title since Manning left this season.

Quarterback Andrew Luck is something special and despite losing star receiver Reggie Wayne he has had a brilliant second season throwing 23 touchdowns again but has reduced his interceptions from 18 in 2012 to just 9 this year. The Colts turnovers are always very low and so are the Chiefs which means any turnovers tonight will pretty much count as double especially in a playoff game. The more I write the more I want to plummet for the Colts but I just feel that after they defeated the Chiefs 23-7 on the road a couple of weeks ago it all seems too simple to go for them and in the playoffs nothing is ever simple or as it seems.

The Chiefs will get back to winning ways tonight for the following three reasons: 1. Jamaal Charles. 2. A defense that ranks 5th in the league and 3. Due to the fact that they won't turn it over 4 times again like they did when they played the Colts last time. Jamaal Charles will get more touches tonight than in the last encounter; he has 12 rushing touchdowns and 9 receiving ones. Alex Smith has 23 touchdowns and just 7 picks to his name and with his trusty sidekicks Charles and Dwayne Bowe the Chiefs will progress to the divisional round next week albeit in a close one.

Prediction: Colts 25-27 Chiefs


New Orleans Saints vs Philadelphia Eagles

The 11-5 Saints are back in the playoffs thanks to head coach Sean Payton working his magic. New Orleans have been effective on both sides of the ball and despite missing out on the NFC South title to the Panthers it may come as a blessing in disguise as they could build momentum with a win tonight to take them deep in to the postseason. The Eagles finished 10-6 after defeating the Dallas Cowboys last week in the winner takes all match for the NFC East.

Both teams have advantages at certain positions but the quarterback matchup will be key tonight when Drew Brees goes up against the red hot Nick Foles. Foles started 13 of the Eagles' 16 games throwing a ridiculous 27 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions but will the pressure of the playoffs be too much for the young QB? His opposite number Brees finished the regular season ranked second in the league in both touchdown passes, 39, and passing yards with 5,162 so with him going up against NFL's worst ranked defense in passing yardage per game this could prove to be problematic for Philadelphia.

Despite New Orleans not being the best road team at times I feel like the Eagles are poised to be give their fans another let down. With all due respect to Chip Kelly he has been a breath of fresh air to the league and his fast pace offense will give Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan problems especially when you consider that Philadelphia have one of the best running backs in the league in the shape of LeSean McCoy.

I feel that despite the pros for an Eagles win that going with them is more of a heart over head decision. When you break it down the Saints should win this one despite the fact that they have their leading rusher out Pierre Thomas. Darren Sproles will see more of the ball and can get out of the backfield to make a play and tight end Jimmy Graham is a matchup nightmare; Graham finished the season ranked first in the NFL with 16 receiving touchdowns. The Saints receiving core will give the Eagles secondary problems and New Orleans also have the second-ranked pass defense in the league. they only allow 194.1 yards passing per game in 2013 and in three of their last four game they have manage to keep the opposition for under 200 yards passing so this will limit Foles' aerial attack and plus they have Keenan Lewis at corner who could give Eagles wideout DeSean Jackson some problems.

Prediction: Saints 34-27 Eagles

Thursday Night Football: Week 3

Chiefs vs Eagles:

Both new head coaches have settled in well for their respective franchises which makes for a mouth watering encounter on Thursday Night Football. Last year both of these teams had poor seasons but 2013 looks bright for both Kansas City and Philadelphia.

Andy Reid returns to his old hunting ground where he coached the Eagles for 14 years before departing after a disappointing 2013 season. Reid will forever have fond memories of his time in Philly as he helped take the team to six NFC East titles, five NFC Championship Game appearences and one Super Bowl which ended in defeat.  He will lead his 2-0 Chiefs team in to Lincoln Financial Field hoping to knock off the new looks Eagles who are led by Chip Kelly.

Kelly's offensive genius has been a breath of fresh air to the Eagles and he has helped Michael Vick recapture the type of form many people had forgotten he was capable off. Vick threw 428 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 33-30 week 2 defeat to the Chargers as well as 203 yards and two touchdowns in the 33-27 week one win over the Redskins. It is well known the Vick's downfall was his turnover ratio but he has thrown no interceptions in his first two starts under Kelly and lost just one fumble. On the ground he rushed for 34 yards and a touchdown from 5 carries vs the Chargers and had 54 yards with a touchdown from 9 carries during the opening weekend.

His 38/61 completed passes is a welcomed site personally and for everyone involved with the Eagles but can they get the in a high stakes emotional matchup so early in the season? This Eagles offense suits the up tempo style Chip Kelly has implemented as it utilizes the threats of running back LeSean McCoy who has had a monster start to the season as well as dynamic receiver DeSean Jackson. Jackson has hauled in 297 yards and two touchdowns already this year so if he can continue this good start with Vick and McCoy then the Eagles could be a surprise package in 2013.

With that being said it is early days and the same can be said for the Chiefs who have matched their 2012 win tally already this season with two straight wins so far in 2013. Alex Smith is thriving in his new environment with the QB yet to throw an interception and helping the Chiefs improve on clock management whilst bringing the best out of their receiving corpse. Jammal Charles has also contributed in both of the teams win and you could argue that Charles Vs McCoy is just as important as Smith Vs Vick come tomorrow night.

The Chiefs first win was straight forward over the Jags but the week 2 win over Dallas showed they have the metal to contend for a spot in the post-season this year. Victory for either team would be beneficial and although it is early days it could go a long way come the end of the regular season. It will be a close call my bold prediction is that you can expect both quarterbacks to throw their first interceptions of the year.

I feel the emotions of facing Andy Reid may be too much for certain players within the Eagles' ranks and keeping their emotions in check will be crucial to any success the Eagles hope to have tomorrow night. As for the result well I'm going to stick my neck out and choose the Chiefs. It will be a close game but I think their defense is more likely to cause turnovers than Philly's which will give Alex Smith the opportunity to manage the game and get Kansas the win on the road with the QB throwing at least two touchdowns tomorrow night.

Predicted Result: Kansas City 27-24 Philadelphia Eagles