After the Patriots were initially installed as 9.5-point underdogs, the point spread has shrunk by two points, a sign of the public's belief in the Pats. Coming off an extended rest, and road upset at Pittsburgh, their offense may have finally settled on a winning, run-heavy formula. Defensively, though, is how the Pats must beat the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs who have dropped three of their last four.
Quarterback play under pressure is not often consistent week to week, but in the face of a closing pass rush, Bailey Zappe has kept the Patriots afloat enough after Mac Jones often sank them under similar circumstances. Zappe also chucked two throwaways, a small number that matches Jones' output from his last three starts combined. For a defensive team, the quarterback opting for a throwaway instead of a sack or turnover can change a game.
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