New England ranks third in the league, allowing just 88.2 yards per game on the ground and first at 3.2 yards per rush. Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, Keion White and Deatrich Wise have all been stout up front, helping the Patriots boast gaudy numbers against the run. Anfernee Jennings has been a revelation replacing Matthew Judon in the starting lineup, setting a strong edge while making several plays in the backfield against the run. If Pacheco returns the Chiefs will give him more opportunities than they would with Edwards-Helaire, but neither figures to generate much against a Patriots front that has been dominant. He averages 4.4 yards per carry but missed the Buffalo loss with a shoulder injury, leaving the lead back duties to veteran Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who averages just 3.5 yards in a reserve role. Isaiah Pacheco is their leading ball carrier, and the second-year man out of Rutgers runs with power and aggressiveness. No one has really been able to run the ball against the Patriots this season and the Chiefs don't figure to be the type of team that even tries. The same kind of game plan against the Chiefs might be more difficult to pull off, but Zappe should get some chances to make plays. JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hunter Henry turned in their best efforts of the season with Bailey Zappe pushing the ball downfield more often early in the game. The Patriots exploded for three passing touchdowns in the first half in Pittsburgh but reverted to their sleepy ways in the second half so it will be interesting to see if they can build off the early performance or it was more of an aberration. Safeties Justin Reid, Mike Edwards and Chamarri Conner are an active group with each recording an interception this season, including Conner's in Sunday's loss to Buffalo. Corners Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and L'Jarius Sneed don't take the ball away often but they have clamped down on opposing passing games all year. While there aren't many household names on the back end, Kansas City allows just 185 yards per game through the air (6th in the league) and 5.7 yards per pass (4th). Kansas City's defensive resurgence in 2023 has been backboned by a secondary that ranks among the best in football statistically. Bolton joins Leo Chenal and Willie Gay to form an active set of linebackers, and the Patriots struggles on the ground won't likely disappear without Stevenson. However, with middle linebacker Nick Bolton back off injured reserve the Chiefs run defense should get a boost. Defensive tackles Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi are solid but do their best work in passing situations, particularly Jones. The average per carry allowed is even worse at 4.6, which is 28th in the league. The Chiefs defense has been sporadic when it comes to stopping the run, allowing 114.9 yards per game, which ranks 20th in the league. He barely averaged 3 yards per carry (3.1) and that number was bolstered by a 12-yard run on his final carry of the night. Ezekiel Elliott provided a boost as a receiver in the win over Pittsburgh but he was bottled up on the ground throughout the game. The Patriots have had a difficult time running the ball with any degree of consistency all season and with Rhamondre Stevenson expected to miss another game with a high ankle sprain don't expect that to change.
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