New England Visits Kansas City With Trip To Super Bowl LIII On The Line
On Sunday New England who’s a member of the AFC East will visit Kansas City who is a member of the AFC West with the winner advancing to super bowl LIII.
New England comes into the game with a record of 11-5 while Kansas City comes into the AFC Championship with a record of 12-4.
As for New England’s previous game, they defeated the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday in the Divisional Round to get to this point.
The Patriots hadn’t lost a game at Gillette Stadium during calendar year 2018, including last season’s playoffs and the entire 2018 regular season. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers were victorious in all but one game played away from their home stadium this past regular season – and that one loss was to cross-town rivals, the L.A. Rams (the eventual No. 2 seed in the NFC, who’ll appear in next week’s NFC Championship Game). “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
Something had to budge when the two teams met Sunday afternoon in the Divisional Playoff. Recent history told us that the outcome might be a tossup to predict. New England was just the 13th team over the past decade to go undefeated at home during a regular season. Six of the previous 12 went on to lose their first game of the playoffs that same year. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
New England hoped to avoid becoming the seventh by doing something they rarely do. After winning the coin toss, the Patriots chose to receive, rather than defer their choice to the second half. Perhaps this was head coach Bill Belichick’s way of sending a message to his troops. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
“I think it is,” center/co-captain David Andrews stated. “We went out there and started fast. That’s what we wanted to do and were able to do it today. Those first few drives we played really well, exactly how we wanted to. When things are clicking like that, it’s a hard thing to stop.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
“As an offense, you get excited about that,” running back Rex Burkhead admitted later. “When Coach puts the ball in your hand, you feel like you’ve got to go out there and execute. Gives you a little extra energy when usually the preferred call is to defer. We just wanted to come out and start fast.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
“It was just like, ‘All right, we’re taking the ball. Let’s go offense!’” remarked cornerback Jason McCourty. “We just tried to feed of each other and play balanced football.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
QB Tom Brady and the offense then put together an efficient, 14-play scoring drive that chewed up half of the first quarter. It ended with rookie RB Sony Michel punching in his first postseason touchdown from a yard out. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
Weather was a top talking point all week. While a winter storm blanketed the Midwest on Saturday, which affected the Colts-Chiefs game in Kansas City, the front moved just south of New England, hitting the Mid-Atlantic region, leaving Foxborough frigid, but sunny and dry. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
High temperatures in the 20s didn’t seem to affect QB Philip Rivers and the L.A. offense, however, when they got the ball for their first possession. Rivers topped off a six-play drive in less than three minutes by throwing a 43-yard TD to a wide-open Keenan Allen to help knot the score at 7 apiece. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
Michel and the Patriots O responded on the very next drive, with the rookie doubling his postseason TD tally with a 14-yard scamper at the end of a seven-play possession. Much of the yardage came from WR Julian Edelman, who found numerous openings in the Chargers’ secondary, but it was WR Phillip Dorsett who got open behind the defense to haul in the third Patriots TD of the first half. New England suddenly had a 21-7 lead with 12 minutes to play in the second quarter. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
For the first time in Patriots playoff history, New England scored touchdowns on its first three possessions. It wasn't the weather as much as New England's near-flawless execution in the first half that doomed the Chargers Sunday. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
“We just kept telling each other, ‘Keep the pedal down, keep moving forward, don’t let up.’” Burkhead continued. “Just because you know in the playoffs how games can go. Happens all the time where another team comes back, so, we really tried to focus on executing still.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
“Let’s keep this thing going. Let’s confuse him, let’s get on these guys. Let’s make it tough on them to get anything. That was our mentality going in,” added McCourty. “Let’s go out there and be aggressive, go play our game and see where it puts us. We were able to make some plays early. We did a good job of stopping the run and making them one-dimensional. Our offense as well – whenever we got a stop, they were able to put points on the board.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
Throughout the week, some analysts (including this one) asserted that the running game would be crucial to New England being able to control the game. That appeared to be the case in the first half. A 40-yard run by Michel, his longest of the season, followed by a pair of Burkhead carries upped the score to 28-7. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
When L.A. finally forced a punt defensively, the Chargers returner muffed the ball and LB Albert McClellan – he of the two blocked punts earlier this season – recovered along the Patriots’ sideline. It was originally ruled L.A.’s ball, but replay review overturned the call on the field. “according tohttps://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
It was that kind of half for the Chargers. Michel barreled his way into the end zone from five yards out for his third scoring run of the half. He had more than 100 yards rushing before intermission. Edelman, meantime, eclipsed the century mark with 107 receiving yards on seven catches by halftime. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
Although the Chargers finally put some points up in the second half, the outcome was essentially decided by the half. A Stephon Gilmore interception of Rivers with just over four minutes to play snuffed out any fading hopes the Chargers may have had. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
“We understood we had to… not let [Rivers] be comfortable in the pocket, not allow him to step up [and throw], because he’s a great quarterback,” observed defensive end Trey Flowers. “We had to pressure him and I think we executed that well today. We had to bring our A-game and I think we did.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
The Patriots made their final home game of the 2018 season a joyous occasion. More importantly, they survived the Chargers without any obvious, significant health concerns. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
Now, if they want to advance to yet another Super Bowl – their third straight appearance – they’ll have to do something they’ve not done well this year: Win a game on the road. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
“Excited for the challenge,” declared Burkhead. “The Chiefs are a great team and we know that. We know [Arrowhead Stadium] is a tough place to play. They’re talented across the board, offensively and defensively, special teams-wise. We’re going to have to have a great week.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
“This is what you play for,” McCourty pointed out, “the opportunity to continue to play this time of year. Personally, team-wise, it’s a great accomplishment. For me, just trying to take it moment-by-moment. My wife texted me before the game and said, ‘However this thing shakes, just enjoy the moment.’ I’m very thankful for the guys in this locker room just to be able to be a part of this. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
“Right now, it’s just a blessing to be able to come into work and prepare for it. We know we’re going against one of the best teams in our league, a [Chiefs] team that had the best record in the AFC. We know it’s going to be a very, very tough challenge on the road for us.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
“We’re happy to win. It’s hard to win in this league, especially in the playoffs against a team that hasn’t really lost on the road all year long,” special teams co-captain Matthew Slater told reporters at his locker. “We’ll enjoy it tonight – go with our wives, girlfriends, and kids – then we’ll be back in the lab tomorrow. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-another-afc-title-run
Like New England, Kansas City won their previous game where they dominated Indianapolis in the Divisional Round to get to this point.
Kansas City jumped out to a quick 17-point lead and never looked back as the defense held Indianapolis to just 263 yards of total offense. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 27-of-41 passes for 278 yards in the game, rushing for a 4-yard touchdown late in the first half. The 23-year-old quarterback – making the first postseason start of his young career – led Kansas City to points on four of the Chiefs’ first five possessions to build an early advantage. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
Tailback Damien Williams was responsible for the Chiefs’ first score, maneuvering his way through defenders on an 11-yard touchdown scamper before wide receiver Tyreek Hill dashed 36 yards for a score on Kansas City’s next possession. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
Hill tallied 108 yards of total offense in the contest, matching tight end Travis Kelce for the most on the team. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
Mahomes found Kelce early and often in the game, connecting with the veteran pass-catcher seven times for 108 yards. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins, competing in his first game since late November, chipped in six catches for 62 yards on the day. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
And, as the offense built a formidable lead, the defense certainly did its part to protect it. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
Kansas City held Indianapolis to just seven offensive points in the game, yielding half of the Colts’ points on a recovered blocked punt in the end zone. Indianapolis had just 15 first downs and 263 total yards on the afternoon. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
Linebacker Justin Houston was right in the middle of that defensive effort, sacking Colts’ quarterback Andrew Luck twice while fellow linebacker Dee Ford chipped in a strip sack of his own. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
It all helped the Chiefs hold Indianapolis – which posted the top third-down conversion rate in the NFL this season – to 0-of-9 on third down in the contest. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
The Chiefs will take on either the New England Patriots or Los Angeles Chargers next weekend at Arrowhead Stadium for a berth in the Super Bowl. It will mark the first time in franchise history that the Chiefs have ever hosted the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
The Chiefs will take on either the New England Patriots or Los Angeles Chargers next weekend at Arrowhead Stadium for a berth in the Super Bowl. It will mark the first time in franchise history that the Chiefs have ever hosted the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead. “according to https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-defeat-colts-31-13-to-secure-a-berth-in-the-afc-championship-game
Kick-Off is set for 6:40pm Arrowhead Stadium. The game will be televised on CBS.