By: Kyle Auger
Sports Editor
This Monday, the New England Patriots are set to clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in a must win for Kansas City.
This game seems to be getting easier and easier for the Pats, with the Chiefs announcing that their young quarterback, Matt Cassel, will be out with a hand injury that will require surgery. This marks the second catastrophic injury for the Chiefs on the year, along with star running back Jamaal Charles’ season ending left ACL tear, leaving the offense without their two biggest weapons. Second year quarterback Tyler Palko is expected to take the helm.
Despite Charles’ injury, backup Jackie Battle has been a rare positive, leading the Chiefs to the 10th ranked run offense in the league, which could provide problems for the Patriots.
Surprisingly, the run defense has been stingy, much unlike the pass defense.
This match-up is more interesting than it leads on, with the Patriots and Chiefs having many similarities, and the Chiefs hiring many former Patriots coaches. Head coach Todd Haley, general manager Scott Pioli, defensive coordinator Romeo Cornell, and offensive coordinator Bill Muir all have worked with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. These connections mean the game could turn into a chess match of sorts, with both coaches facing each other with caution, wary of each knowing their plans.
Although coaching will be a highlight, the game itself seems easy, with the Patriots filled with confidence after their impressive victory against the New York Jets. This match up is again favorable for the Patriots due to Palko, who is not the most accurate passer, so he should not be able to exploit New England’s 32nd ranked past defense,
This week will be a test in focus, because the Patriots do not want to be caught looking ahead for their big match-up against the Philadelphia Eagles. That can be a way stronger teams lose to weaker ones.
Another test will be if the pass rush will be sustained, after their hodgepodge group of veterans sacked Mark Sanchez of the Jets 5 times, which is a rare occurrence and it will interesting to see if they can get to Palko.
This week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs will be a test for the recovering Patriots, and a game they should win against the battered Kansas City squad.
