Patriots-Chiefs Monday Night Football Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) -- The 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBZ-TV and WBZ NewsRadio 1030 sports teams make their predictions for the Patriots Monday Night Football showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Andy Gresh, 98.5 The Sports Hub
I think the Patriots get a little bit right and take a step in the right direction.
This is a big test for the defense. This is where I look at it and say hold them to 20. If you allow 20 points or less you're doing pretty well and I think the Patriots will do that.
The offense should take a step forward, but still won't be as great as everyone wants it to be.
Patriots 27, Chiefs 20
Scott Zolak, 98.5 The Sports Hub
The running game gets better in this one with Stevan Ridley once again the bell-cow, going over 100 yards. The offense will look better -- not perfect, but trending in the right direction.
The defense will be stones in the red zone and won't give the Chiefs much.
Patriots 24, Chiefs 16
Jon Wallach, 98.5 The Sports Hub
The Patriots' defense will be the difference this game, once again. They're facing Alex Smith who is not a prolific quarterback or have great wide receivers.
More of Gronk this week, which is very good for this offense. He should be out there for say 70-75 percent of the snaps, giving Brady more options to look for. Julian Edelman will have his 7-10 catches, and the running game will have it going again as well.
The home field advantage will make it close, but the Pats should still win this one.
Patriots 20, Chiefs 17
Walt Perkins, WBZ NewsRadio 1030
This will be another test for the Patriots, especially the offense. The fans attending Monday night's game will be loud; perhaps the loudest in NFL history (they will be trying to better the decibel level established in Seattle last season). The Chiefs defense loves to bring the pressure, something the Patriots' O-line has had difficulty with the first three weeks of the season.
The saving grace for the Patriots is their defense, which has been downright stingy since week one, allowing only one touchdown over the past eight quarters.
Patriots 20, Chiefs 13
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
The Patriots are a perfect 3-0 against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football, so why should this Monday night be any different?
We all know the Patriots have issues, especially on the offensive line. That must be fixed. Tom Brady has taken some heavy hits, and if they protect him, they should handle Kansas City.
Defensively there aren't many worries, though Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith can run, throw and throw on the run. He can be a dangerous quarterback because he's always looking down field. The Pats' defensive backs will have to be alert. They are a sharp group who competes with each other for turnovers, but Chandler Jones and company must pressure Smith to make that happen.
This game could be close, but I'm going with New England with a tough road win.
Patriots 27, Chiefs 21
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
The Patriots found a way to win last Sunday against the Raiders at Gillette Stadium, but it felt like a loss to many fans around New England.
So, what now against a much better quarterback in Alex Smith, with targets like Donnie Avery and Dwayne Bowe? Can an improving Pats D shut him down along with either Knile Davis or Jamaal Charles at running back?
And, can the offensive line protect Tom Brady, not to mention all that crowd noise at Arrowhead Stadium?
Everything says KC in this one which is why I will go with the Pats.
Patriots 27, Chiefs 21
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
I keep going back and forth with this one. Even though the Patriots have a better record, I am not sure they are the better team against Kansas City.
New England is struggling on offense. Their lack of communication may at some point get Tom Brady hurt. I don't get the rotating offensive line grouping and by the looks of the offense, I don't think the guys get it either. They have to figure it out and a Monday night in Kansas City is not the best place to work on it.
What personal grouping will the Pats put out there? What wide receiver is going to be a healthy scratch? Are they going to run the ball? This offense has too many questions, and the main one is can they protect Tom Brady? The Chiefs defensive ends can get to the quarterback and this will be a mess if that happens.
Defensively, stopping the Chiefs running attack could be a daunting task, with talented backs like Joe McKnight, Jamal Charles and Kniles Davis. All these guys are fast and they are excellent in the screen game. Alex Smith may not light up the scoreboard, but he's also not going to cost the Chiefs any points.
I don't like the match up for the Pats at this moment.
Chiefs 27, Patriots 13
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