The Patriots host the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. The game was flexed out of Monday Night Football which is pretty embarrassing for a Patriots franchise used to playing on prime time for so many years.
The move affects game planning from a timing standpoint but the overall plan should stay the same against a Chiefs team that has been surprisingly bad on offense and great on defense.
Here are three things the Patriots could do offensively today and defensively to attack the Chiefs.
Offense
1. 12 and 13 personnel run game: The Patriots running game has struggled all season long. If New England can find a way to run the football out of 12 and 13 personnel, it could help them set a physical tone and possess the ball.
The Patriots offense has been built around 12 personnel this season. Unfortunately, I do think the offensive staff has done a good job of utilizing the personnel grouping. Look for that to change today. Expect more two and three tight end run plays. I expect the Patriots to once again feature some I-Formation runs as well.
Here are three examples:
2. Stack formations: The Patriots will need to create separation for their receivers today. The best way to do it is by using stack formations and short motion to get receivers into a stack position.
Kansas City’s secondary has been very good this season so the Patriots have to be calculated when they throw the ball. They have to be smart in the passing game. High percentage timing throws are their best bet. Throwing on first down will also be key today.
3. Play-action: The running game will be vitally important today and a big reason for that will be the play-action passing game off of it. Aside from quick timing throws, the Patriots will need to use play-action to create separation down field for their receivers. If New England can run the ball consistently, play-action will be there and it will be an effective way to throw the football.
Here are two examples of play-action the Patriots could use today.
Defense
1. Edge pressure on Mahomes: Edge pressure will keep Mahomes in the pocket. That is the key defensively. The Patriots cannot allow Mahomes to get outside and extend plays because that is when he is most dangerous. Sure, Mahomes is good enough to manipulate the pocket and extend plays that way, but if the Patriots can hem him in and plaster down field in coverage, they will frustrate him and limit his play making ability.
Here some examples of edge pressure the Patriots could use today to keep Mahomes in the pocket.
2. 3-2 and 4-1 Box: With Isaiah Pacheco out, the Patriots will lighten their box as much as possible and focus on coverage today. This will especially be the case on second and third and medium downs. Same will be true for long down. Expect more of an emphasis on coverage today as the Patriots will double Travis Kelce in certain situations.
3. Double Kelce in certain situations: With that said, I would double Kelce in certain situations. Especially in plus territory and the red area. Mahomes does not quite trust his young receivers in high leverage situations. He will force the ball to Kelce. The Patriots need to make sure they do not allow Kelce to get clean releases and they need to maintain bracket leverage throughout the route once he does release.
