KANSAS CITY — You have to be quick to get to Kyle Van Noy.
When the media was let into the visitors’ locker room following Sunday’s AFC title game, the linebacker was already close to packing up and heading for the buses. (On his way to send some red-hot Tweets? Maybe.) But we got a few quality moments with the veteran, who came away with a pair of sacks in the dramatic overtime win.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound linebacker has been a vital part of the Patriots’ defense this season, but he arguably submitted the finest game of the year on Sunday against the Chiefs with his two first-half sacks and a team-high 10 tackles, as well as a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. For his work, we awarded him our #StayCovered Defensive Play of the Game.
Van Noy, who was never really known as an overwhelming pass rusher over the first few years of his career, came through with a pair of big plays on Patrick Mahomes to stymie two early Kansas City drives.
“It’s what I do, baby,” he said with a smile when asked about his performance.
His first came with just over five minutes left in the first quarter and the Chiefs on a third and 10. The linebacker was able to me from the inside and drag down Mahomes, forcing an early punt.
Big time sack from Kyle Van Noy to end the first drive for KC pic.twitter.com/ICch6Fy8DP
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) January 21, 2019
So the @Patriots look pretty good so far... pic.twitter.com/sAJMAR16Vl
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) January 21, 2019