Virus causes Patriots-Chiefs showdown to be postponed
KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The Patriots-Chiefs game has been postponed until Monday or Tuesday due to positive coronavirus tests. Patriots quarterback Cam Newton reportedly is one of the players who tested positive, and the NFL said a player with Kansas City also did so.
Kansas City has struggled over the years to stop the run, regardless of who was directing the defence, but showed in last week’s win over the Ravens that it could rise to the challenge.
The Patriots come to Arrowhead Stadium behind a new quarterback, himself a threat to run, and a backfield that went roughshod over the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend. Sony Michel needed just nine carries to pile up 117 yards, Rex Burkhead reached the end zone three times and the Patriots totalled 250 yards rushing in the win.
But the Chiefs (3-0) are preparing for Tom Brady in his heyday. The first order of business any week may be to stop the run — something the Chiefs did quite well against the Ravens on Monday night — but the challenge is even more important when the Patriots (2-1) have shown such a propensity for grinding out yards on the ground. They lead the league in rushing through the first three weeks. The Chiefs are 27th at defending the run.
The Patriots also hope their running game allows them to control the clock, shortening the game and thereby keeping record-setting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the dynamic Chiefs offence off the field.
“Ball control and points. You know that,” Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears said. “Let’s get the points and let’s control the ball; I don’t care how we do it. Dink-and-dunk, quarterback sneak, I don’t give a darn. Just get it done.”
They have a lot of guys who can get it done, too. Michel,
Burkhead and Newton are a considerable three-headed monster, but undrafted rookie J.J. Taylor also has gotten into the mix. James White was back at practice this week after the death of his father in an auto accident, as was Damien Harris, who has been on injured reserve with a finger problem.
“We’re a bunch of competitors,” Taylor said, “but we also want to see each other succeed.”
The Patriots will need them to against the Chiefs.
Newton would have been the fourth straight quarterback the Chiefs have prepared for that can run. They faced the Texans’ Deshaun Watson in the opener, then prepared for the Chargers’ Tyrod Taylor in Week 2, though he was ruled out shortly before kickoff because of a medical mishap. Then came the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson last week.
But if Newton can’t play, either veteran backup Brian Hoyer or untested second-year QB Jarrett Stidham will go.