The Patriots and Chiefs last met in the 2018 AFC Championship game, in one of the best games NFL fans have seen over the past decade.
This rematch figures to have it all — big plays, entertaining moments and a thrilling finish.
Dec 1, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with running back Darwin Thompson (34) after Thompson’s touchdown during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
It all starts at the top, with two of the best coaches attempting to one-up one another with endless film watching and gameplanning. Bill Belichick and Andy Reid are two of the top 10 highest-paid coaches in American sports, and they’re also arguably the two best coaches in the NFL. This matchup genuinely may be the most fun for fans to get in on the action with through sites like
888sportsbet and others… certainly worth at least a slap bet with a close buddy to up the tension. They’ll look to match wits, with Reid an offensive guru, and Belichick plying his trade on the defensive side of the ball. Only one will be able to emerge victorious, though, so it will be interesting to see which team is able to impose its will and control the tempo of the game.
For the Chiefs, it starts and ends with reigning
MVP Patrick Mahomes. He has a ridiculously strong arm, and can make all the throws an NFL signal-caller needs to make. Not only that, his baseball background allows him to utilize multiple arm angles and great body control to make seemingly impossible plays look, well, easy. It’s not uncommon for him to fling a sidearm pass or a no-look throw for a big play, which helps keep opposing defenses off balance. And, most importantly, Reid uses a ton of pre-snap motion in calling the plays, and he’s a master at disguising if it’s a run or a pass, or where the ball is going.
Dec 1, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) watches an incomplete pass from the seat of his pants against the Houston Texans in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
On the other side of the ball, Belichick once again has his defense playing at a ridiculously high level. The Patriots’ secondary is arguably the best in the league, and they’ll look to press the Chiefs’ receivers in man coverage, disrupting their routes and forcing him to throw into tight windows. Expect Belichick to play a lot of coverage, as the Chiefs’ running backs are injured, and it’s highly unlikely that veteran LeSean McCoy will be able to torch them on the ground. For the Patriots, it will be all about limiting Mahomes’ big plays, and forcing the Chiefs to consistently move the chains on third downs —
something they’ve struggled with in recent weeks.
And we can’t forget about six-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady. The ageless wonder quarterback can read and diagnose coverages as well as anyone the league has ever seen before the snap, and while his arm strength may not be what it once was, he’s nearly unbeatable at home. At 42 years of age, this could be his final season in New England, and he appears extremely motivated to make one final Super Bowl run. It all starts with Sunday’s game, which could end up deciding who gets a first-round bye in the AFC Playoffs.
Dec 1, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Darwin Thompson (34) celebrates with tight end Blake Bell (81) and tight end Travis Kelce (87) after scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
