Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your Tuesday. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
Usually, Tuesday is an off day for teams around the league. Not this week in New England.
The Patriots had the weekend off, one of the reasons Tuesday will be a workday in Foxborough. The other reason? Putting in as much time as possible in figuring out a way to slow down Pat Mahomes and the rest of the high-flying Kansas City offense. Lots of talk around Foxborough Monday about Mahomes and the challenge he presents -- on the conference call Monday, Bill Belichick was asked what has impressed him the most about Mahomes this year.
"Pretty much everything," responded the coach. "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 (and) can throw the ball out of the stadium. He makes good decisions, (is) accurate (and) gets the ball out on time."
Tuesday’s schedule
9 a.m.: Conference Call with Belichick
12:35 p.m.: Media availability at practice
3:45-4:30 p.m.: Approximate time for player availability (locker room)
Now, on with the links...
1. Another terrific Monday Overreaction Q&A with BSJ commenters. Not as crazy because the game was a few days old -- the overreactions were basically limited to how good the Chiefs look -- but definitely worth a re-read.
2. Video: David Andrews talked about getting back to work and the looming challenge of the Chiefs.
3. Tom E. Curran says the Chiefs will be the latest of the greatest challenges for the Patriots.
4. Mike Reiss writes about Tom Brady's mark of 71 different touchdown targets.
5. The Patriots are always updating their emergency lists.
6. Belichick really likes Mahomes.
7. Cyrus Jones goes back to Baltimore.
8. This story in the Kansas City Star from Jason Boatright says the starting point for Sunday's clash? Brady vs. Mahomes. “You’re playing a team that has one of the best quarterbacks of all time and a team that’s been really hot coming into this game,” Mahomes said of Brady and the Patriots.
9. Adam Teicher of ESPN details the reasons why this Chiefs team won't fade after their hot start.
10. Robert Klemko of SI says the Chiefs are here to stay this season.
Extra Point:
I love the fact the ‘72 Dolphins will be rooting for the Patriots (this week) to knock off one of the two undefeated teams remaining.
— Christopher Price (@cpriceNFL) October 8, 2018