Open fire
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Kansas City Chiefs (0-0) at New England Patriots (0-0)
1 p.m., Ch. 4; Line: Patriots by 16
WHEN THE PATRIOTS RUN
Laurence Maroney showed last season he can thrive as a featured back. He still does a little too much jitterbugging but has become a more decisive, punishing runner. Maroney has excellent change-of-direction and change-of-pace skills. Like his mentor, Corey Dillon, he almost always delivers a blow before being stopped. Maroney will never have to carry the load alone. The Patriots have excellent depth with Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan. Morris has deceptive quickness and power. Jordan could be used to deliver the knockout blows. A big, powerful man, Jordan will have fresh legs late when most defenders are looking for a breather. Jordan also is a top-notch receiver and will be depended on to convert third-down opportunities. Look for the Patriots to run left behind the nasty duo of tackle Matt Light and guard Logan Mankins. Light is an underrated run blocker who rarely loses one-on-one battles. Mankins is a football player's football player, a rough-and-tumble lumberjack who plays with a mean streak. He finishes every block and doesn't take plays off. The Chiefs defense was bolstered with the arrival of top pick Glenn Dorsey, a 6-foot-1-inch, 297-pound tackle. Dorsey relies on superior quickness to shoot gaps and dump running backs. The aptly named Tank Tyler is Dorsey's running mate. Tyler (6-2, 306) has the size and strength to occupy two blockers, which should allow Dorsey room to operate. Donnie Edwards is the most active linebacker. He deciphers plays quickly and is always around the ball.
2007 rushing yards per game: NE offense: 115.6 (13th); KC defense: 130.6 (28th)
EDGE: Patriots
WHEN THE PATRIOTS PASS
The secret's out. You want to stop Tom Brady? Apply pressure without blitzing, right? Well, that worked for the Giants but it isn't happening Sunday. The Chiefs lack the, well, giants, to follow that game plan. Kansas City traded away sackmeister Jared Allen (15.5 last season), leaving defensive ends Tamba Hali and Turk McBride to fill the void. Hali has excellent upper-body strength and will fight to the finish. McBride shows flashes but takes too many plays off. Tackles Glenn Dorsey and Tank Tyler will apply some pressure. The New England offensive linemen, in particular Matt Light and Logan Mankins, have something to prove after allowing five sacks in the Super Bowl. Brady has a plethora of options to carry the offense. Randy Moss (is he really only 6-4?) is one of the NFL's most dangerous players. His elite combination of speed, size, and body control makes him nearly impossible to defend for long stretches. He also opens things up for his teammates. Wes Welker was the prime beneficiary of Moss's presence last season. Welker is the best slotman in the game. He's always open and he catches everything he gets his mitts on. Though just 5-9, 185, Welker is a willing and effective blocker. Jabar Gaffney has blossomed since arriving in New England. Cast off by the Eagles and Texans, Gaffney has displayed smarts and sure hands. Tight end Benjamin Watson is often the most exciting player on the field; injuries, however, keep him off the field too often. Watson is an above-average runner and blocker with soft hands, too. Backup David Thomas lacks blocking skills, but he can run and catch. KC corners Patrick Surtain (a declining playmaker) and Brandon Flowers (a rookie who likes to get physical) will be overmatched Sunday.
2007 passing yards per game: NE offense: 295.7 (first); KC defense: 188.9 (fifth)
EDGE: Patriots
WHEN THE CHIEFS RUN
Larry Johnson's foot injury was the main reason the Chiefs offense never got on track last year. The bruising, 6-foot-1-inch, 230-pound tailback is two years removed from his 416-carry, 1,789-yard season, and it's a safe bet Johnson is eager to prove he is still among the NFL elite. Johnson is a powerful, straight-ahead runner who enjoys dishing out punishment as much as picking up yards. He has wide shoulders, allowing him to absorb hits and keep his balance. His legs are always pumping, and before last year's lost season (contract holdout, foot injury), he almost never had negative plays. If he gets past the first line of defense, he will abuse defensive backs. Top backup Kolby Smith (5-11, 218) is fast and strong. He lacks recognition skills, however, and often misses holes before getting swallowed by defenders. KC's offensive line isn't good. The best player is left guard Brian Waters (6-3, 318), who is a physical presence. He's smart and likes to brawl. Center Rudy Niswanger (6-5, 305) is really smart (a 4.0 student with medical school aspirations), but he lacks athleticism. It'll take more than brains to counter massive nose tackle Vince Wilfork (6-2, 325), who anchors the best defensive front on the planet. Wilfork, Richard Seymour, and Ty Warren clog more lanes than a Big Dig road crew. The big boys will force Johnson to bounce outside. Does he still have the speed to get there? If he does, linebackers Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel have to match it. If he doesn't, it will be a long Opening Day for the Chiefs.
2007 rushing yards per game: KC offense: 78.0 (32d); NE defense: 98.2 (10th)
EDGE: Patriots
WHEN THE CHIEFS PASS
New England's revamped secondary could not have asked for a better opponent to open the season. Third-year quarterback Brodie Croyle has yet to taste victory as a starter (0-6), and he'll be hard-pressed to earn his first Sunday. Croyle is a classic pocket passer who lacks pocket presence. He has decent size (6 feet 2 inches, 206 pounds), a strong arm, and a quick release. He has yet to win the confidence of his teammates because of a penchant for making bad decisions. His protection is suspect at best. His main protector, left tackle Branden Albert, is a 6-5, 316-pound rookie who has the bulk and brains to be a dominant player someday. Sunday's not that day. Albert supplanted solid veteran Damion McIntosh, (6-4, 320), who moves to right tackle, and knows every trick in the book. If Croyle, who has the mobility of an
2007 passing yards per game: KC offense: 198.8 (20th); NE defense: 190.1 (sixth)
EDGE: Patriots
Prediction: Patriots 31, Chiefs 10
