BUFFALO vs NEW ENGLAND
When: 12/28/2020 8:15 PM
Where:

TV: 8:15 PM
LINE: 7
PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND , BUFFALO

Oddsmakers currently have the NEW ENGLAND listed as 7 point favorites versus the BUFFALO, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

The Buffalo Bills likely could be forgiven if they find themselves looking past Monday’s opponent and toward the playoffs.

Then again, the AFC East champion Bills (11-3) might be more interested in making a statement against the New England Patriots (6-8) in Foxborough, Mass. After all, the Patriots essentially have owned the division since Bill Belichick brought his hoodie to their sideline, and Buffalo hasn’t swept its AFC East rival since 1999.

“To go against a division opponent and be able to beat them both times, that’s a big deal,” Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White said. “I guess this year’s the year of breaking streaks or whatever. So I hope that’s the case.”

New England’s 11-year reign atop the division effectively came to an end at the hands (and feet) of Josh Allen, who recorded four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) in a 48-19 win in Denver on Saturday. The performance allowed Buffalo to capture its first AFC East title since 1995 and land Allen his fourth AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor of the season.

With Allen at the controls, the Bills boast the NFL’s second-ranked passing offense (278.5 yards per game) and fifth-ranked scoring offense (29.1 points).

Fellow first-time Pro Bowl selection Stefon Diggs has done his fair share in opening up the offense for Allen.

Diggs’ 111 receptions lead the NFL while his career-high 1,314 receiving yards trail only Arizona’s DeAndre Hopkins (1,324) and Kansas City’s Travis Kelce (1,318) for most the league. Diggs had 11 catches for 147 yards versus the Broncos.

Diggs was listed as a full participant in Thursday’s practice despite injuring his foot against Denver. The same held true for Allen (knee, ankle) and White (neck), but offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe (groin) did not practice on Thursday.

Although Buffalo enters Monday’s contest with momentum, coach Sean McDermott was quick to pump the brakes should his team entertain the notion of looking past the Patriots.

“It’s the defending AFC East champs that have held that position for multiple, multiple, multiple years,” McDermott said. “It’s one of the greatest — if not the greatest — coach ever to coach our game. They’re going to be prepared, they’re going to be well-coached, and they’ll be ready to go.”

But which quarterback will be ready to go? Belichick hasn’t tipped his hand whether Cam Newton or Jarrett Stidham would be under center, although Newton appeared focused on the Bills on Thursday.

“We have to stay on schedule offensively, not only moving the ball but actually executing even more in the red zone and actually scoring touchdowns,” Newton said. “We can’t just settle for field goals, we have to make sure that we maximize our scoring opportunities.”

Newton was held without a touchdown pass for the eighth time this season in New England’s 22-12 setback to Miami on Sunday. The former NFL MVP found the end zone with his legs in a 24-21 loss at Buffalo on Nov. 1.

The Patriots listed 20 players as limited in Thursday’s practice, including leading rusher Damien Harris (ankle) and special teams ace Matthew Slater (knee). Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week.

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NY JETS vs NEW ENGLAND
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -7.5
PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND , NY JETS

Oddsmakers currently have the NEW ENGLAND listed as -7.5 point favorites versus the NY JETS, while the game’s total is sitting at 39.5.

This is new territory for the New England Patriots.

When they finish the season Sunday at home against the New York Jets, it will mark the first time since 2008 that the last game of the regular season won’t be a tune-up for the playoffs.

At 6-9, New England will endure its first losing year since 2000, the first year Bill Belichick coached the team.

“Let’s finish what we started,” said Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater. “We started a race and obviously, we’re not going to win that race, but if we have that ability to do so, let’s finish that race and let’s finish it the right way.

“Let’s go out and represent ourselves in the best way possible, and not just ourselves: all the people that made the season possible for us.”

As recently as Week 14, it appeared there might be a path for New England to play January football. After a 45-0 shellacking of the Los Angeles Chargers, it was 6-6 and appearing to peak when Belichick teams tend to.

But the Patriots’ offense, a source of concern all year, simply petered out in the last three games. New England has scored just one touchdown — Cam Newton’s 9-yard run in the second quarter of Monday night’s 38-9 blowout loss to Buffalo — and 24 points.

That was the lone highlight for Newton, who was pulled in the third quarter after throwing for just 34 yards on 5 of 10 accuracy. Jarrett Stidham took over and wasn’t much better, going 4 of 11 for 44 yards.

Speculation is rife on whether Stidham will start against the Jets, although one might have better luck stopping Michael Jordan in his prime than getting Belichick to reveal the identity of his quarterback in Week 17.

“I think it’s a combination of things that we can all do better,” Belichick said about the offense.

Meanwhile, New York (2-13) may have disappointed those that were hoping for an 0-16 finish, but it’s pleased itself with back-to-back wins over playoff contenders.

After getting the bagel out of its win column with a 23-20 decision at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15, the Jets kept Cleveland from clinching last week with a 23-16 verdict in the Meadowlands.

The consecutive victories aren’t likely to keep coach Adam Gase from getting fired after the season ends. And they kept New York from possibly drafting Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence with the top overall pick, but they’ve given rookies like wide receiver Denzel Mims hope for the future.

“I think we just sat down, watched film and saw all the mistakes we were making,” he said. “We saw all the plays we left on the field. We’re just trying to do everything we can to get better.”

In the wins, quarterback Sam Darnold has looked like the guy capable of propelling the Jets to contention. After going 22 of 31 in his return to Los Angeles, the former USC star hit two crucial touchdown passes against Cleveland. And in both games, the mistakes that have consistently derailed this offense didn’t occur.

“Winning cures everything,” Darnold said. “When you win, the guys have more energy throughout the week.”

New York will play without starting running back Frank Gore (chest/lung) and backup La’Mical Perine (COVID-19). Ty Johnson will get most of the carries in New England.

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MIAMI vs NEW ENGLAND
When: 9/13/2020 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -6.5
PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND , MIAMI

Oddsmakers currently have the NEW ENGLAND listed as -6.5 point favorites versus the MIAMI, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.5.

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NEW ENGLAND vs MIAMI
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 15, 2019
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Patriots -18.5.
O/U: 48.5
PREDICTION: Patriots 30, Dolphins 13

Oddsmakers currently have the MIAMI listed as 18.5 point favorites versus the NEW ENGLAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 48.5.

Coach Bill Belichick is a master of making sure the New England Patriots brush aside outside distractions, but that single-mindedness could be put to the test this week. Questions abound over whether All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown, acquired before last week’s season opener, will be in the lineup Sunday when the reigning Super Bowl champions visit the Miami Dolphins.

Brown’s abrupt release by Oakland and subsequent signing with the Patriots was a shocking development, but the plot thickened this week when a woman filed a lawsuit charging him with rape and sexual assault. “It’s not a distraction,” New England cornerback Stephon Gilmore said. “That’s one thing about this team — we focus on our next opponent, and that’s Miami. We don’t let outside stuff distract us.” While the Patriots dismantled Pittsburgh 33-3 in their opener, Miami was embarrassed in a 59-10 mauling at Baltimore in the head coaching debut of former New England assistant Brian Flores. The Dolphins, however, have won two of the past three meetings against the Patriots and are 10-7 against future Hall of Famer Tom Brady in Miami.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (1-0): Brown, who forced an offseason trade from Pittsburgh to Oakland after six straight seasons with at least 101 catches, was ineligible to play in last week’s opener but Brady looked fine with the cast at hand, throwing for 341 yards and three touchdowns passes. Starting running back Sony Michel, who rushed for 169 yards in two meetings versus Miami last season, managed only 14 on 15 carries last week, but backups Rex Burkhead and James White combined for 70 yards rushing while adding five receptions apiece. Julian Edelman had six catches for 83 yards and Phillip Dorsett hauled in a pair of scoring passes, while the defense limited the Steelers to 32 yards rushing.

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (0-1): In the wake of the last week’s humbling loss, in which Miami set franchise records for points and total yards (643) allowed, media reports swirled that multiple players spoke to their agents and expressed a desire to be traded. “It’s never good to be embarrassed like that, especially at this level,” said veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who finished 14 of 29 for 185 yards with a touchdown and interception in his Dolphins debut. “What we talked about: Nobody is going to feel sorry for you and your situation.” Miami will try to establish its ground game behind Kenyan Drake, who ran the final 52 yards on a lateral in last season’s stunning win over the Patriots.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Brady can tie George Blanda (209) for the second-most regular-season wins in NFL history, behind only Adam Vinatieri (215).

2. Dolphins CB Xavien Howard picked off Brady twice in the last meeting.

3. Edelman has 24 receptions and two TDs in his last three versus Miami.

PREDICTION: Patriots 30, Dolphins 13

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PITTSBURGH vs NEW ENGLAND
When: 8:20 PM ET, Sunday, September 8, 2019
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

TV: 8:20 PM
LINE: -6
PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND , PITTSBURGH

Oddsmakers currently have the NEW ENGLAND listed as -6 point favorites versus the PITTSBURGH, while the game’s total is sitting at 51.

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS vs MIAMI DOLPHINS
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 9, 2018
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 7
PREDICTION: MIAMI , NEW ENGLAND

Oddsmakers currently have the MIAMI listed as 7 point favorites versus the NEW ENGLAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 47.

The New England Patriots are in the midst of an unprecedented run of success within the AFC East and can clinch their 10th consecutive division title with a victory at the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon. The Patriots trail Kansas City by one game for the best record in the AFC but they have struggled in Miami with four losses in their last five visits.

New England quarterback Tom Brady has won 12 of his last 13 against AFC East opponents, but he has a losing record (7-9) against the Dolphins in Miami, including a 27-20 setback a year ago. “I think the climate plays some role and they always seem to play well when they play us down there,” Brady said. “We’re going up against a good opponent that plays us very well at home. We play them very well at home. It is just one of those series where it is kind of like that.” The Dolphins have dropped six of nine since opening the season with three wins in a row, a swoon that started with a 38-7 mauling at New England in Week 4. Still, Miami is among a cluster of four teams with 6-6 records that trail Baltimore by one game for the final playoff berth in the conference.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -7.5. O/U: 47

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (9-3): Brady threw for 311 yards with a touchdown and an interception in last week’s 24-10 win over Minnesota, but he has had some clunkers on the road this season and failed to throw a scoring pass in two of his last three away from home. Running back James White has been an integral part of the passing game with team highs in catches (74), yards (659) and receiving touchdowns (6). Running back Sony Michel has rushed for more than 100 yards three times during his rookie season, including 112 on a season-high 25 carries in the drubbing of the Dolphins in Week 4. The Patriots have only 19.0 sacks and have struggled against the pass but they are tied for ninth with 21.6 points allowed.

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (6-6): Ryan Tannehill made his second start since missing five games with a shoulder injury and threw for three touchdowns in last week’s 21-17 win over Buffalo despite mustering only 137 yards passing. Miami is one of five teams averaging fewer than 200 yards passing but leading receiver Danny Amendola, who played the previous five seasons with the Patriots, is on track to return to the lineup after sitting out last week’s matchup. Frank Gore leads the ground game with 616 yards rushed but he failed to get 10 carries for the first time in nine games and was limited to 21 yards against Buffalo. The Dolphins will be without star cornerback Xavien Howard, the NFL leader with seven interceptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. New England can become the first team to make 10 consecutive playoff appearances.

2. Tannehill has won his last eight starts at home.

3. Brady is tied with Peyton Manning for the most career touchdowns (playoffs included) with 579.

PREDICTION: Patriots 23, Dolphins 20

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MINNESOTA VIKINGS vs NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, December 2, 2018
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

TV: 4:25 PM
LINE: -6
PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND , MINNESOTA

Oddsmakers currently have the NEW ENGLAND listed as -6 point favorites versus the MINNESOTA, while the game’s total is sitting at 48.

The New England Patriots are coasting to another division title but will be banking that a return to Gillette Stadium will help raise their game as they jockey for seeding in the AFC postseason race. The Patriots are a perfect 5-0 at home but will play in Foxborough, Mass., for the first time since Nov. 4 when they host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon.

New England came off its bye week and avoided a second straight loss by pulling away in the second half for a 27-13 victory at the New York Jets, but the team expects a much stiffer challenge from Minnesota. “This has really been an impressive team to watch,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of the Vikings. “Looks like to me they’re even better than they were last year. Really well coached defensively, as good as we’ll face all year.” Minnesota, which holds down the No. 5 seed in the NFC, shut down Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers last week and will look to do the same against another multiple MVP-winning quarterback in New England’s Tom Brady. “You’ve got to give respect where respect’s due,” Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen said. “Five Super Bowl rings, they’re in the playoffs every year and he’s a large part in the team winning. He’s the GOAT. We’ve got to go out there and play our best game to beat one of the best.”

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Patriots -5. O/U: 49

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (6-4-1): Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs form one of the more lethal pass-catching tandems in the NFL, but Diggs did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, although he insisted he will play against the Patriots. Thielen is the NFL leader with 93 receptions and notched his ninth 100-yard game of the season after hauling in eight catches for 125 yards and a score against the Packers. Quarterback Kirk Cousins ranks fifth in the league with 3,289 yards to go with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions, but expect Minnesota to try to get its dormant running game untracked Sunday. The Vikings had four sacks last week but star cornerback Xavier Rhodes (hamstring) is questionable.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (8-3): New England slowly is getting healthy — rookie running back Sony Michel returned in the week before the bye, tight end Rob Gronkowski was back last week and running back Rex Burkhead is expected to rejoin the lineup Sunday for the first time since Week 3. Brady posted his highest passer rating (115.4) of the season against the Jets, throwing for 283 yards with a pair of touchdowns and zero interceptions. Michel rushed for a season-high 133 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries while Gronkowski had three catches for 56 yards and scored for the first time since Week 1. The Patriots are vulnerable to the pass, ranking 25th with an average of 269.7 yards allowed.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Thielen needs seven catches to join Rod Smith and Wes Welker as the only undrafted players with 100 receptions.

2. Brady needs two TD passes to eclipse Peyton Manning (579) for the most in league history (playoffs included).

3. Diggs has 31 catches for 322 yards and three TDs in his last three games.

PREDICTION: Patriots 27, Vikings 23

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GREEN BAY PACKERS vs NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
When: 8:20 PM ET, Sunday, November 4, 2018
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

TV: 8:20 PM
LINE: -5.5
PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND , GREEN BAY

Oddsmakers currently have the NEW ENGLAND listed as -5.5 point favorites versus the GREEN BAY, while the game’s total is sitting at 56.5.

Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers often are mentioned in the conversation as the best quarterbacks in the game, but the former NFL Most Valuable Players rarely share the same field. That will change on Sunday night as Brady and Rodgers will square off for only the second time in their stellar careers when the Green Bay Packers pay a visit to the streaking New England Patriots.

Brady and Rodgers are the only active players in the league to have won multiple MVP awards, among the many reasons for the hype surrounding Sunday’s matchup. “If you want to study how to play quarterback, you need to watch that game Sunday night because you’re going to see all the little things,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “From pure quarterback play, I think this is definitely one you want to watch.” Rodgers came up short in his bid to hand the Los Angeles Rams their first loss a week ago and now must fly to the opposite coast to face Brady and a New England squad that has won five straight and is unbeaten at home. “The challenge from my standpoint is knowing we have to be incredibly productive as an offense,” Brady said. I know we can’t turn it over, I know we’re going to have to possess the ball. I know we’re going to have to score in the red area.”

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Patriots -5.5. O/U: 56.5

ABOUT THE PACKERS (3-3-1): Green Bay has been fairly one-dimensional on offense as Rodgers is third in the league with an average of 326.1 yards while throwing for 13 touchdowns against only one interception. Although injuries have hindered two of Rodgers’ top receivers, Davante Adams has six touchdown catches on the season and has amassed 24 receptions for 405 yards and three scores over the past three games. A cluttered backfield was thinned out this week with the trade of Ty Montgomery, leaving Aaron Jones poised the lead the ground game after posting season highs with 86 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries against the Rams. The Packers are No. 5 against the pass (221.7 yards per game) but traded starting safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to Washington this week.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (6-2): Running back Sony Michel was limited in practice again Thursday after sitting out last week’s game due to a knee injury and one of the surprise replacements was wideout Cordarrelle Patterson, who had 10 carries for 38 yards. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has not scored since the season opener, did not practice Thursday and was held to three catches in each of his last two games. Brady threw for 324 yards in last week’s 25-6 victory at Buffalo, connecting with Julian Edelman nine times for 104 yards (both season highs) and running back James White 10 times for 79 yards, hiking his team-leading totals to 55 catches, 459 yards and six receiving touchdowns. New England is vulnerable to the pass, allowing 277.3 yards per game to rank 27th in the league.

EXTRA POINTS

1. New England seeks its 10 consecutive home win against a Green Bay squad that is 0-3 on the road.

2. Rodgers has a 100-plus passer rating in his last three overall and has at least two TD passes in five of his last six versus AFC foes.

3. Brady has eight TD passes and zero interceptions in his past three at home versus Green Bay.

PREDICTION: Patriots 33, Packers 30

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS vs CHICAGO BEARS
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 21, 2018
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 3
PREDICTION: CHICAGO , NEW ENGLAND

Oddsmakers currently have the CHICAGO listed as 3 point favorites versus the NEW ENGLAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 49.5.

The New England Patriots appear to have found their mojo after a rocky start to the season and will take a three-game winning streak into Sunday afternoon’s matchup at the Chicago Bears. The Patriots are coming off a thrilling victory over the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs but they have lost both road games by double-digit margins this season.

New England scored a combined 30 points in road losses at Jacksonville and Detroit but has averaged 39.7 points during its three-game run following the 43-40 win over the Chiefs. “No matter how they start, they always finish strong and they get better every single week throughout the year,” Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky said of the Patriots. “So it will be a great challenge for this team this week and we’ll kind of have a good measurement of where we’re at as a team and how we’ve grown from last year and the first bunch of games this year.” Chicago failed to hold an 11-point third-quarter lead and had a three-game winning streak snapped on a last-second overtime loss at Miami last weekend. “This really looks like a 5-0 team to me,” New England coach Bill Belichick said of the Bears, whose two losses have come by a combined four points.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -2.5. O/U: 49

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (4-2): The return of Julian Edelman from suspension and the addition of fellow wide receiver Josh Gordon via trade has provided a boost for quarterback Tom Brady, who has thrown for 681 yards over the past two games. “As a football player, you always want to play against the best players at a position,” Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd said. “It definitely adds fuel to the fire going against Tom Brady.” Rookie running back Sony Michel has added balance to the offense by rushing for 316 yards and three touchdowns during the three-game winning streak. New England’s defense was gashed by the Chiefs and ranks 21st against the pass (268.7 yards per game).

ABOUT THE BEARS (4-2): After three pedestrian efforts to open the season, Trubisky has put together two stellar back-to-back performances by passing for 670 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception while completing over 71 percent of his passes in each. Running back Jordan Howard has received 25 carries over the past two weeks but third-down back Tarik Cohen has emerged as a weapon with 14 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns in that span. Wide receiver Allen Robinson (groin) and star pass rusher Khalil Mack (ankle) each sat out practice again Thursday. Mack’s absence would be a huge blow for a defense that has 18 sacks, 10 interceptions and nine forced fumbles.

OVERTIME

1. Brady has won all four meetings against Chicago, throwing for 1,318 yards with 11 TDs versus three interceptions.

2. Mack, who has never missed a regular-season game, has five sacks and four forced fumbles in five games this season.

3. Patriots RB James White has 37 catches and four receiving touchdowns this season.

PREDICTION: Patriots 27, Bears 23

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KANSAS CITY CHIEFS vs NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
When: 8:20 PM ET, Sunday, October 14, 2018
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

TV: 8:20 PM
LINE: -3
PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND , KANSAS CITY

Oddsmakers currently have the NEW ENGLAND listed as -3 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 59.

Five Super Bowl championships and three NFL Most Valuable Player awards has Tom Brady in the conversation of greatest quarterback of all time, but he may be taking a back seat in his upcoming matchup. Patrick Mahomes is off to a sizzling start to the season and will look to keep the Kansas City Chiefs perfect when they visit the Patriots on Sunday night.

Mahomes leads the NFL with 14 touchdown passes in his first season as a starter and is the talk of the league after guiding Kansas City to a 5-0 start for the second year in a row. “Pretty much everything,” New England coach Bill Belichick said when asked what impresses him about Mahomes. “He gets the ball to all of his receivers quick, quick release, sees things quickly, can extend plays, got a great arm, got a fabulous arm, can throw the ball out of the stadium. He makes good decisions, accurate, gets the ball out on time.” The Patriots have won two straight following a slow start as Brady threw for a season-high 341 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win over Indianapolis to become the third quarterback to reach 500 career scoring passes. “I was a Cowboys fan when I was younger, so being from Texas, I wasn’t necessarily a fan of him winning all the time,” Mahomes said of Brady. “But you definitely respected his game and how he played. When you have that much success, it takes a bunch of hard work, so you respect that.”

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Patriots -3.5. O/U: 59.5

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (5-0): Mahomes failed to throw a scoring pass for the first time and tossed his first two interceptions of the season in last week’s 30-14 win over Jacksonville, but he still threw for over 300 yards for the fourth straight game. Tight end Travis Kelce has a team-high 28 catches and three touchdowns while speedster Tyreek Hill is next with 27 receptions and three scores. Kareem Hunt has come alive with four rushing touchdowns in the last three games and burned New England for 148 yards and a score to lead the Chiefs to a 42-27 win at Gillette Stadium in his NFL debut in 2017. Kansas City forced five turnovers and had five sacks last week, but it allows an NFL-worst 461.8 yards per game.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (3-2): After a pair of double-digit defeats at Jacksonville and Detroit, New England has found its offensive stride by scoring 38 points in wins over Miami and Indianapolis. The passing game got a lift last week as Julian Edelman (seven catches, 57 yards) returned from a four-game suspension and recent acquisition Josh Gordon made his Patriots debut with two receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown. That opens up more room for tight end Rob Gronkowski and rookie running back Sony Michel, who has scored in each of the past two games while rushing for 210 yards. New England’s defense is middle of the pack against the run and pass and ranks 30th in the league with only 7.0 sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Brady can become the first quarterback in history to notch 200 career regular-season wins.

2. Mahomes is bidding to become the sixth QB since 1970 to win each of his first seven career starts.

3. Gronkowski needs three catches to become the fourth tight end with 500 receptions in fewer than 110 games.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 33, Patriots 30

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