Patriots

“Cam being in a role there that he’s fully accepted, I think he’s enjoying it,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said during the week, “and we anticipate them being able to run the ball, but don’t be fooled, because Camcan throw the ball very

well, too.”

That may be true, but it’s not as if 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 recordsetting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the dynamic Chiefs offense 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. Tay

lor 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.

CAM AND GET IT 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.