Patriots down Chiefs, reach fifth straight AFC title game

The doubts about the health of the New England Patriots, about a shaky end to their regular season in which they lost four of their final six games and about their about off-field distractions being a problem – they were all wiped away.

Kansas City Chiefs free safety Husain Abdullah (39) pushes New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) out of bounds short of the goal line in the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday. It was recovered by New England and the Patriots went 69 yards in five plays ending with a 16-yard scoring toss from Brandy to Gronkowski and a 21-6 lead.

The New England Patriots defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-20 on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium in the AFC Divisional round.

Up 7-3, the Patriots went to work on that lead with a 3rd and goal touchdown dive of 1 yard by Brady. The Patriots can become the first team since the 2003-04 New England teams to win back-to-back Super Bowls. Gronkowski’s two touchdown catches give him eight career postseason touchdown receptions, the most ever by a tight end and also setting a franchise record.

Kansas City came into the game off a 30-0 shellacking of the Houston Texans last week, the Chiefs’ first playoff victory in 21 years.

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who didn’t practice all week because of an ankle injury, was able to play but was not at 100 percent. In converting six of their 11 third-down tries against the Chiefs, the Patriots should be feeling much more confident with their offensive production headed into the AFC Championship Game, referred to as the Patriots’ “toughest game of the year” by Edelman. The Chiefs then made it to the Patriots 16, but settled for a field goal.

Now it’s on to another conference title game with a trip to yet another Super Bowl at stake.

“It’s a fine line of getting into the best play and just keep going at the line of scrimmage”, Smith said.

It was four-time Super Bowl victor Brady’s ninth career playoff 300-yard passing game, matching Peyton Manning for the most in National Football League history.

The Patriots then caught a break two plays later when an unwise Brady pass deflected off the hands of Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali’s hands and straight to Edelman who picked up the first down to seal the win.

Gronkowski caught seven passes for 83 yards, with two touchdowns. It was a game-plan that essentially played right into the tendencies of the Chiefs offense, as the Patriots did everything but beg the Chiefs to dink and dunk their way down the field every time they touched the ball. Alex Smith threw the ball 50 times, but only had 246 yards and one touchdown.

“You gotta grind throughout the entire year”, Brady said. “I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about”.

Kansas City head coach Andy Reid didn’t seem to notice the ineptitude, per Adam Teicher of ESPN.com.

The Patriots took possession at their own 2 in the second quarter, after Danny Amendola was flagged for a personal foul when he delivered a high hit on Jamell Fleming as a punt bounced near the end zone.

Injured Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount, however, played the role of the cheerleader – tweeting encouragement (some NSFW) for his teammates as he watched like the team’s fans.

“I think he has worked his tail off”, Brady said.

He said he felt good physically – “You get bumps and bruises, it’s part of the game”, he said – and wasn’t restricted in anything he did. Pressed – a reporter apparently saw him going into the X-ray room – he said to ask Coach Bill Belichick.

4th quarter – Patriots – FG S.Gostkowski 40 yd.

Brady wasn’t just putting together an MVP-calibre season, leading New England to a 10-0 start and, during that time, averaging 332 passing yards.

As if the Patriots needed the Chiefs’ help, the Patriots received a gift from Chiefs running back KNILE DAVIS (43 yards total offense) who fumbled at the NE 31 yard line after a 9 yard gain.