Patriots Will Face Chiefs With Relatively Healthy Team

Suddenly, the defending Super Bowl champions were back on defense.

Bruschi said Thursday on ESPN, however, that he thinks Belichick needs to come down on Jones, even saying the Patriots head coach should punish Jones in some way by benching him for part of Saturday’s AFC Divisional Round game against the Kansas City Chiefs. “We issued a statement, that’s it”.

“I know it sounds repetitive and like I’m repeating myself but that’s what it is right now, becoming the best 95 I can be and help this team out”, Jones said. Belichick refused to say whether Jones would be benched for fear of revealing valuable strategic information to the Chiefs.

But I don’t know if they will. And it’s hard to doubt them, after what they have gone through over the last 12 months and beyond. But showing the Chiefs last season was a fluke probably isn’t far from the Patriots’ minds. The Patriots are very game-plan specific, meaning your film review of their past games is typically more useful for scouting personnel than scheme, and that self-scouting and accurately assessing what your own team does well is even more important than usual. But the Patriots dominated the rest of the season and won their fourth Super Bowl. “We just try to ignore all the distractions, whether it’s that situation or ‘Deflategate, ‘ or any other distraction”.

While Jones’ status for the game is questionable, if he does play all eyes will be on him.

“We’re just focused on getting better every day, and today is no different”, receiver Danny Amendola told reporters before Wednesday’s workout.

Much of that will rely on the ability of Albert Wilson and Chris Conley to take advantage of single coverage, and of the Chiefs’ line to continue its improved work in the run game.

And, of course, the Chiefs beat the snot out of the Pats in their last meeting in KC about a year-and-a-half ago, and many on the rosters have turned over since.

STANDING IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Steven Jackson was out of football when Belichick called just before Christmas, looking for someone to replace injured running backs Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount.

He was asked a handful of questions and began multiple answers with “I understand your question…” People make mistakes. We’re all human.

Jackson hadn’t been in the playoffs since he was a rookie in 2004 with the Rams. Kansas City gave up only 17.9 points a game – third-best in the league – then pitched a shutout in Houston in its 30-0 wild-card victory. “The last two or three weeks have been a whirlwind”.

“I mean, I’ve heard of things happening, but I haven’t had any of those problems”, he said this week.

For the New England Patriots to win tomorrow, a lot will have to go in their favor.

Jones spoke for a little over a minute to a large crowd huddled around his locker around Gillette Stadium. He uses the extra time to self-scout, fixing whatever is ailing his team before turning their attention to the opponent; the extra week also comes in handy to get players as healthy as possible off the field.