AFC Championship Game Preview

They're  ba-aaack !

Yes, the New England Patriots are in the AFC Championship Game for the eighth straight season and will face the Kansas City Chiefs (in frigid Kansas City) this Sunday evening. The Patriots unloaded on the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half (35-7 lead) to advance with their 41-28 win while the Chiefs dismantled the Indianapolis Colts, 31-13 the day before.
These two teams faced each other back in Week Six on Sunday Night Football and the Patriots won 43-40 on a 28-yard field goal by kicker Stephen Gostkowski as time expired in Gillette Stadium.
This time, the Chiefs will have the "home field edge" and will be looking to run the ball and control the clock to keep Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and the offense on the bench. The same can be said for the Patriots, as they showed they can also run the ball. They would like to see Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and company on the bench.
In that Week Six game, Mahomes had four touchdown passes and two interceptions while Brady threw for one score.
Both teams have weapons on offense. The Patriots feature running backs Sony Michel (three rushing TD last week) and James White, who had 14 receptions in last week's win. Wide receiver Julian Edelman (nine catches for 151 yards last week) and tight end Rob Gronkowski are the main targets for Brady to throw to.
As for the Chiefs, Mahomes and WR Tyreek Hill combined for big numbers this season (87 receptions for 1,479 yards with 12 TD) and he is a threat to score whenever he gets the ball in his

Brady and Mahomes - Round Two

hands. Another big weapon is tight end Travis Kelce, who had 103 receptions for 1,336 yards and ten touchdowns.
Chiefs running back Damien Williams had a career game last week, going for 129 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, both teams controlled the line of scrimmage last week and held their opponents running game in check. Pressure on the quarterback was also common last week for both the Chiefs and Pats defensive units.
The weather is supposed to be frigid (single digit high temperature is forecast at kickoff) with wind chills plummeting below zero. That will not have an effect on the visiting Patriots. Hell, they seem to thrive on it. The Chiefs also should likely be immune to the cold weather.
The biggest determining factor will be turnovers, as it almost always is during football games, especially in the playoffs.
Look for a hard fought game with both teams running their game plan behind solid pass protection as it likely comes down to the wire once again. Whoever has the ball last should be in position to win this game.
Mahomes has been the top quarterback in the NFL this season, but Brady has the experience and the hardware (five Super Bowl rings) which is a huge factor. Barring any unforeseen injuries to key players or an inordinate amount of turnovers by one team, look for the Patriots to pull this game out in a squeaker.

           
                      PREDICTION -   New England  30, Kansas City 28