Prediction roundup
I know we were supposed to have learned our lesson that night in Arizona, but this is a sure thing.
Herm Edwards’s Kansas City Chiefs will not be the team to halt the Patriots’ 19-game regular-season winning streak (not quite as glorious as the 21-game overall, is it?) You wanted intrigue in Week One? Forget it.
In last year’s opener, at least there was the whole Mangini-Belichick angle to delve into, pre-Spygate.
Not that any showdown wouldn’t get you worked up about the return of the NFL, but it’s hard to imagine a less fascinating matchup to kick off a season, one where the Patriots were rewarded for their 18-1 season with a schedule that even the Atlanta Falcons might consider easy.
In 2007, the Jets proved great fodder for the debut of New England’s new air attack, and in the ensuing days became an historic afternoon after Eric Mangini ratted out his former mentor . In 2006, they opened with AFC East rival Buffalo and we enjoyed the sparkling debut of Laurence Maroney. In 2005 . . . well, Oakland. But at least they raised a banner that night.
This year, there are lingering effects of an 18-1 hangover in the stands and concern regarding Tom Brady’s health. But the worries are nothing a good ol’ fashioned rout can’t take care of in Week One, which, I guess is why the Chiefs are here. But it’s still the kind of game you want in mid-October, when things are rolling along nicely and you can divert a little of your attention to the ALCS.
If you’re Edwards, what do you tell your team in preparation of facing a squad that has been waiting seven long months to get the bad taste of an historic choke out of its mouth? It’s going to be as bad for them as for the poor, dimwitted Giants fan who decides it’d be funny to try and sell those 18-1 shirts somewhere along Route 1 Sunday.
Who they’re picking
Our roundup of national writers’ picks in this week’s Patriots-Chiefs season opener:
Jim McCabe, Boston Globe: Patriots. “Proving the foot’s OK, Tom Brady booms the opening kickoff.”
Boston Globe staff: Four out of five go with the Patriots. Mike Reiss takes the Chiefs against a 15 1/2 –point spread.
ESPN.com staff: Patriots across the board.
Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Patriots 33, Chiefs 13. “Tom Brady will wake up on gameday, phone good buddy Peyton Manning, and say: ‘I bet I’m a lot happier to be playing the Chiefs than you are to be playing the Bears today.’ Not really. But he’ll be thinking it.”
FoxSports.com staff: Patriots across the board.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Patriots 41, Chiefs 17. “This is the mismatch of the week. The line is 17, and it’s probably low. You have one of best teams against a club that is in complete rebuilding mode. Tom Brady against Brodie Croyle is not fair. Discount the preseason, the Patriots roll.”
CBS Sports staff: Three out of six pick the Patriots.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: Patriots 31, Chiefs 17. “The bad taste of losing the Super Bowl (and a perfect season) has lingered in the mouth of the Patriots like gridiron garlic. Tom Brady didn’t play a down of the preseason, so he and his teammates will be anxious to reestablish the dominance that saw them lead the league in Scoreability and Yards Per Passing Attempt. Facing a Chiefs team that finished dead last in Offensive Hog Index, Scoreability and Big Play Index will definitely help New England cleanse its palate.”
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Patriots 38, Chiefs 20. “So, while they’ve won 19 straight regular-season games, the Chiefs have the NFL’s longest losing streak, 9 games to end last season. You still have to like Brady over Brodie Croyle, as KC, even with Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez, doesn’t have enough playmakers to keep up with Randy Moss, Wes Welker and friends. If you’re in a survival pool, why not make sure you start off with a sure thing?”
USA Today staff: Patriots across the board.
Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Patriots 41, Chiefs 6. “Game stayed off betting boards through Thursday because Tom Brady remained iffy-though-likely with a sore shoulder. Otherwise point spread might have neared 20. NFL’s best team vs. perhaps its worst, and Brady vs. Brodie (Croyle). Ouch! Expect Tom Terrific to play, although Pats could win this one with me at QB.”
Sam Farmer, LA Times: Patriots. “All the pressure is on New England in this one. The Patriots have been in that spot many times. The rebuilding Chiefs might hang close for a half, but it won’t be the second half.”
Yahoo! sports staff: Patriots across the board.
Nancy Gay, San Francisco Chronicle: Patriots. “This looks like one of those early-season matchups between a No. 1-ranked college program and a visiting doormat. We think New England QB Tom Brady will be just fine.”
Our pick: Patriots 38, Chiefs 13. Ho-hum. Bring on the Jets.
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