New England Sports Invade Kansas City
Friday, September 26, 2014
With both teams in the same city looking to accomplish the same feat, it is a great weekend for New England sports fans, and an empty weekend at Gillette Stadium. Both teams have been active on social media, interacting with each other about the trip.
On our way to Kansas City! @Patriots, see you guys out there? pic.twitter.com/aHHMszZvGN
— NE Revolution (@NERevolution) September 24, 2014
Good luck! See you boys in KC. RT @NERevolution: On our way to Kansas City! @Patriots, see you guys out there? http://t.co/HoMS1EzqwV
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 24, 2014
Can both teams pull off victories this weekend? Lets start with a look at what faces the Revolution on Friday.
The Revolution season is in the final stretch, and the Revs are currently sitting in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. They sit just three points (one win) behind Friday's opponent, Sporting KC, in the Eastern Conference standings and hold a 2-0-0 advantage in the season series. The nationally televised tilt will take place at Sporting Park in Kansas City, one of the loudest, most difficult venues in all of MLS. The Revs do have the opportunity, however, to move into 2nd place in the East with the win and will use last weekend's 1-0 loss to the Columbus Crew as added motivation.
One huge factor for the Revs will be health. While the Revolution have returned to relative health, they could be without starting center back A.J. Soares. Soares has been a stalwart to the New England defense this season, but is listed as questionable with calf tightness. Although Soares would be a huge loss, the Revolution do have defensive depth with Chris Tierney back in the lineup.
Although the Revs will have to deal with a loud crowd and a possibly depleted lineup, this is a great spot for the Revolution to show they are a true contender in the Eastern Conference.
Prediction: 2-1 Revolution
With the Revs out of Kansas City over the weekend, the Patriots will take over the second half of the weekend in preparation for their Monday Night Football tilt with the Chiefs. The Patriots enter the game with a record of 2-1 and are coming off a 16-9 win over the Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs are currently 1-2 but dismantled the Miami Dolphins, who beat the Patriots in Week 1, 34-15.
This is the first matchup between the two teams since the Patriots defeated the Chiefs at Gillette Stadium 34-3 in Week 11 of the 2011 season. It will be the first time the Patriots will play at Arrowhead Stadium since the 2005 season when they lost 26-16.
This game is a chance for the Patriots to rebound from some early-season woes against a higher-level team. The main question entering the game is -- Can the Patriots offensive line protect Tom Brady?
The offensive line has struggled in each of the Patriots' three games. From Jordan Devey and Marcus Cannon to Nate Solder at left tackle, the offensive line has been unable to protect Tom Brady. Through three weeks, Brady has been sacked seven times, but hit many more times. This includes two huge hits off left tackle against the Raiders -- one from Justin Tuck and one from Khalil Mack.
The Patriots do, however, have a huge advantage in health. The Chiefs are missing key defensive players in the middle of all three levels -- Mike DeVito, Derrick Johnson and Eric Berry. Although Berry is not officially out, his high ankle sprain is severely limiting him and will likely hold him out. This will allow the Patriots' struggling interior offensive line an advantage to help get the run game going. It will also allow Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman to run free in the middle of the field.
With the injury concerns for Kansas City and the Patriots looking to rebound, expect a big week from New England.
Prediction: Patriots 28 Chiefs 12
With both New England teams traveling to, and hopefully winning in Kansas City -- It could be a great weekend in the New England area.
Delivered Free Every
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It