Special Contributor // Kristina Deterding
Monday Night Football: Kansas City Chiefs Vs. New England Patriots
A game of optimism and – well – heartbreak.
The Chiefs are going in as the underdogs here and with the two teams’ records, no doubt why. To be fair the Chiefs are on the road facing the Patriots at Gillette Stadium for a Monday Night game so there is a little bit of pressure coming off a few losses in a row.. But it isn’t all bad. The depressed KC fans still have some optimism and hope and like Michael says you gotta have faith.
Let’s start with why fans should have optimism. The last Monday night football game, they won. It was a nail biter, they almost lost it by their own fault, but they won. Regardless of whether or not the Patriots have Tom Brady playing, they still have injured players on their team. Now I know almost every male that has a mancrush on Brady (and you know who you all are) will say he can do it on his own..Guess what, quarterbacks don’t win games,
Teams do!
Let’s take a look at the injury roster for the Pats: Cornerback Devin McCourty is doubtful, Linebackers Brandon Spikes and Dana Fletcher are both out, Guard Brian Waters (Previous Chief) and Wide Receiver Wes Welker are both probable and there are 13 others listed as questionable.
KC’s Defensive coach says he is working with his young guys to watch for Brady’s quick tricks, which means not too much stress on receivers; so not an aggressive defense strategy but maybe one that will work. That’s got to give KC fans a little hope.
So let’s look at the heartbreak portion of our discussion. KC’s quarterback Matt Cassel is out due to a hand injury so the team has to put faith in a fresh quarterback, Tyler Palko. Which could actually work out well, except for the pressure of starting, on the road, in New England, but really who watches MNF anyways…. But let’s give this handsome 28 year old a break; he may just be the spark KC needs to get back in the game.
KC is out a linebacker in Demorrio Williams, Cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers, Defensive end Glenn Dorsey and Safety Jon McGraw. So what if the teams semi-best players are out…they still have Dexter McCLuster and Thomas Jones…oh wait, they were just put on the most elusive running back list by Pro Football Focus. Still Fans, have faith. I know I do.
What will it take to get a Monday Night Miracle you ask? Lots and lots of rest, oh, and prayer. And it wouldn’t hurt if the team would show up for this showdown.
But in all seriousness, the Chiefs aren’t THAT bad, they are one game behind the AFC west leader. KC has a relatively young team and it will take time to develop so even if they don’t win, it could only make the team stronger for next season.
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