Brady has history with another Drew
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
FOXBORO — Tom Brady delivered the opening salvo in his parallel NFL passing career with Drew Brees.
The rivalry between the two Hall of Fame-bound quarterbacks dates back to the Big Ten when Brady was at Michigan and Brees was setting NCAA records at Purdue.
“We played against each other in college and we beat them my senior year which is good,” said Brady.
Brady’s focus is on tomorrow night’s prime-time clash with the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs, but he took a few minutes yesterday to acknowledge Brees’ historic accomplishment in the Saints’ 49-13 victory over the Redskins on Monday night.
Brees broke Peyton Manning’s career passing yards mark of 71,940 on a 62- yard touchdown pass to Tre’Quan Smith in the second quarter. Brees career total stands at 72,103 while Brady sits fourth at 67,418 behind Manning and Brett Favre (71,838).
“We are mildly competitive guys,” said Brady. “He’s had a great career and I think so highly of him and everything he’s accomplished.”
Brees also owns the NFL completions record (6,370) while Brady is fourth (5,750). Brady (571) is second to Manning (579) in touchdown passes (regular season and playoffs).
Sunday night rivals
While confronting the Chiefs at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots will simultaneously be engaged in a TV ratings war with the Red Sox.
The “Sunday Night Football” game kicks off at 8:20 p.m., while the Red Sox will be playing Game 2 of the American League Championship Series with a 7:09 p.m. start at Fenway Park against the Houston Astros.
“They are in the ALCS and they are playing very well and best of luck to them,” said Patriots tailback James White. “It’s their choice whatever sport they prefer and if they are here they can follow the Red Sox on their phones and if they are at the baseball game they call follow us on their phones.”
In a show of solidarity, Julian Edelman wore a Mookie Betts jersey in the locker room.
Mahomes manifesto
The athleticism, arm strength and passing accuracy of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dominated the discourse during Bill Belichick’s press briefing at Gillette Stadium.
Mahomes’ capacity to read his progressions from the pocket combined with his ability to scramble and make plays on the run will put a major strain on the Patriots pass rush and secondary.
“If he gets out of there, and again in the Denver game it happened a couple of times, he got out on the throw and got out on the run,” said Belichick.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Mahomes, the 10th overall pick out of Texas Tech in the 2017 draft, has passing numbers worthy of MVP consideration this season. Mahomes has completed 112-of-176 passes for 1,513 yards with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions in the first five weeks.
His primary targets have been tight end Travis Kelce and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, who have amassed 75 receptions, 1,086 yards and seven touchdowns.
Injury update
The Patriots had nine players who were limited participants in practice and are questionable for the game: Malcolm Brown (knee), Josh Gordon (hamstring), Geneo Grissom (ankle), Rob Gronkowski (ankle), Chris Hogan (thigh), Sony Michel (knee), Eric Rowe (groin), Danny Shelton (elbow) and John Simon (shoulder) . . . .
Chiefs wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas broke a leg during practice and could miss the rest of the season, the latest in a string of injuries to befall the unbeaten team.
The Chiefs also listed linebacker Justin Houston as doubtful for tomorrow night with a hamstring injury. Free safety Eric Murray has been ruled out with an ankle injury and offensive lineman Laurent DuvernayTardif is out with a broken bone in his leg.