Kansas City Chiefs: Five things to watch in AFC Championship Game
By John McCarty
WHAT TO WATCH IN AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Chiefs Run Game
What is the best way to keep Tom Brady from beating you? Simple. Keep him on the sideline.
If the Chiefs are able to keep the ball away from Brady, or more to the point, keep the Patriots defense honest and off balance, the Chiefs offense can dictate pace and tempo. If the offense can do that, the Chiefs likely are successful.
Damien Williams had himself a good game against the Colts and he will need to have another one against the Patriots. If Spencer Ware is able to play and combine with Williams an ability to both catch the ball out of the backfield and convert short yardage situations, the more opportunities Patrick Mahomes has to create plays with his arms.
Also, the best way to neutralize pass rushers is force them to play run defense. Pass rushers slow down off the line and become less explosive when they have been forced to defend and stop the run all game.
The Chiefs could really use for the Patriots pass rushers to be tired and worn out by the end of the ball game, which would then increase the odds of the Chiefs running the ball and keeping it away from Tom Brady. That, in turn, increases the likelihood of the Chiefs winning the AFC.