Patriots in AFC title game again after topping Chiefs

“You’ve got to be able to take advantage of that when it comes”, Smith said. Andy Reid taking his time with the final drive, leaving his team not time to get the ball back after making it a one possession game, was just one part of his weird playcalling that didn’t cost the Chiefs the game, but didn’t really help them. With Edelman, Gronkowski and Danny Amendola back together for the first time since that game, the Patriots displayed an offensive cohesion rarely seen down the stretch.

The victory sends Brady to his 10th AFC Championship Game next Sunday against either Denver or Pittsburgh. If Denver wins, the Patriots are on the road. One does not beat New England when that happens.

“I was singing along and I don’t even know all of the words”, said defensive back Duron Harmon.

However, in a report by ESPN, Edelman headed to the X-ray room following their win over the Chiefs.

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman missed seven-plus games with a broken foot to close the regular season. The Chiefs are riding in an 11-game winning streak.

Smith finally got the Chiefs into the end zone when he hit Albert Wilson on a 10-yard pass that made it 21-13 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

The Steelers listed Roethlisberger as questionable on Friday’s injury report with a sprained AC joint and ligament damage in his right shoulder.

On the first drive of the game Rob Gronkowski opened the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown reception, capping an 80-yard drive and giving New England an early edge they would never relinquish. He is also tied for second among all National Football League quarterbacks in postseason rushing scores.

After spending the past two weeks recovering from knee and back injuries, Gronkowski caught seven passes for 83 yards, including touchdowns from 8 and 16 yards.

Gronkowski set the franchise and the league records for playoff touchdown passes by a tight end.

“It was good to get out to a fast start; we talked about that”, said Brady, who threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns, completing 28-of-42 attempts.

“It will be fun to play another Peyton Manning-led team”, said Brady, who had a long run of success against Manning when he was with the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots (12-4, 1-0 playoffs) will be playing in their 12th conference championship game, including 10 in the past 15 seasons.

He might not have been playing for the New England Patriots in the game, but LeGarrette Blount made his presence known during it, on social media. Would it be an injured Jeremy Maclin?

Only the Oakland Raiders (1973-77) have played in five consecutive conference title games in the Super Bowl era. KC got a field goal again to make it 6-14 at the half in favor of New England. Will the Patriots end up victorious again? He forced a fumble and had a sack.

There was also the 19-yard punt return by Frankie Hammond Jr. that gave the Chiefs the ball at the Patriots 36. They were unable to turn the Patriots’ over…. After a Steven Jackson run that lost 2 yards and a Chiefs timeout, the Patriots lined up in the shotgun showing they were willing to pass for the first and the win.

This time around, it’s nearly like two different teams on offense.

Brady went 6-for-6 for 63 yards passing in a 98-yard drive that ended when he scored on a 1-yard touchdown dive up the middle just 3:23 before half-time.