KC Chiefs: Key Match-Ups vs Patriots in AFC Championship Game

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Kansas City Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

TYREEK HILL vs STEPHON GILMORE

This match-up may not straight up determine who wins this game, but it may be the most fun individual contest of the weekend to watch.

Tyreek Hill and Stephon Gilmore both made the All-Pro team this year. The funny thing is, this match-up may not even happen. Tyreek Hill gave the Patriots fits in their last match-up, to the tune of 142 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. The catch, though, is that Stephon Gilmore shadowed Sammy Watkins that game, not Hill.

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I am not certain, but that could change here. Hill routinely beat double teams and bracket coverage and burnt the Patriots. Belichick probably won’t allow that to happen a second time. He knows Mahomes can hit Tyreek anywhere on the field, and he won’t want to chance a 70-yard touchdown changing the game in an instant. My best guess is that the All-Pro’s see each other a lot more this time around.

Gilmore is a master at press man coverage, which he used to great effect against the Chargers in the divisional round., and on a larger scale all year. The problem with that is that speed can beat press coverage, and Tyreek Hill has speed and then some.

If Gilmore jams Hill at the line, he can disrupt his timing and mitigate the damage he does. If his jam and press doesn’t work, look out because Hill will be off to the races. Even if the game plan ends up not having Gilmore shadowing Hill, pure circumstance will force these two together on a handful of plays. Pay attention to how Gilmore plays Hill’s speed and who win’s that particular down.

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I have my money on Tyreek Hill winning a majority of these match-ups, but only barely. Expect each player to win their fair share, but for the Cheetah to break away once or twice. Look for him to be throwing up the peace sign as he races towards the end zone at least once this Sunday.

Advantage: Chiefs

Final Game Prediction- Chiefs 35, Patriots 28

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