On The Beat: 5 questions with Kansas City writer Lynn Worthy - How have Chiefs changed since October meeting with Patriots?

Every week, we go deep on the Patriots’ next opponent with our “5 questions…” feature where we check in with a writer who covers New England’s next opponent. For this week’s game against Kansas City, we talk with Chiefs’ beat writer Lynn Worthy, who covers the team for The Kansas City Star. Check him out on Twitter here.

1. How much has this Chiefs team changed since the first time these two teams met in October?



Offensively, the biggest change has been the loss of running back Kareem Hunt, which I'll come back to in the next question. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes hasn't necessarily changed the way he plays, but he has started more than twice as many NFL games than when he came to Foxborough.

Defensively, the Chiefs defense will likely have different starters at outside linebacker (Justin Houston was hurt for the first game), both safety spots (Eric Berry and Dan Sorensen didn't play in Week 6) and cornerback (rookie Charvarius Ward took over for Orlando Scandrick).

2. How has the move from Kareem Hunt to Damien Williams altered their offensive approach?

Hunt still leads them, statistically, in rushing yards by a long way. The leading active rusher on the team is Mahomes with 272 rushing yards. However, former Miami Dolphin Damien Williams has played very well since taking over after a hamstring injury sidelined Spencer Ware. Williams had the third-best rushing game (by yards) in franchise history last weekend with 129 yards against Indianapolis. He's a good cutback runner, so pursuit must be disciplined. Hunt was a more explosive player both as a runner and receiver in the screen game or routes downfield.

3. Is there someone on either side of the ball we’re not talking about who has the capacity to surprise on Sunday?

If the Patriots are able to limit Tyreek Hill's opportunities offensively, then Sammy Watkins' production could become pivotal. Watkins missed six games and played just five snaps in another. The former fourth overall draft pick of the Buffalo Bills, Watkins has been a top receiving option during his career. Despite missing a significant amount of time this season, he still amassed 519 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 40 receptions.

4. In a season filled with remarkable accomplishments, what’s the most impressive/unbelievable thing you’ve seen Patrick Mahomes do this year?

That's a hard one. He's thrown from ridiculous arm angles, thrown no-look passes, thrown deep passes and across his body. I'd have to go with the left-handed pass to Hill in Denver, not just because of throwing with his off hand. The impressive part was the situation. That pass converted a third down with Von Miller breathing down his neck. It was crucial for the Chiefs to rally and earn that divisional win on the road. It also came on the national stage of Monday Night Football, just four games into his first season as the full-time starter (he started a meaningless Week 17 game last year).

5. The Chiefs win Sunday if...

1) They've able to win the special teams battle,
2) Mahomes doesn't force throws against the Patriots defense AND
3) They're able to make Tom Brady hold the ball longer than he wants to, and their defensive front is able to create pressure up the middle.

Lynn's Pick - I'd said previously in a Facebook Live show we did for the paper that, in my opinion, the Patriots were the more favorable matchup for the Chiefs than the Los Angeles Chargers. That was based mostly on the fact that the Chargers won in Arrowhead this season. Since I said the Patriots were the better option, I'll give the Chiefs a tight win at home, 31-28.