By The Associated Press
The Kansas City Chiefs are hoping to snap a rare two-game losing streak when they visit New England on Sunday. Kansas City is holding onto a one-game lead in the AFC West. The Chiefs have won seven straight division titles and haven't played an AFC playoff game on the road in the Patrick Mahomes era. The Patriots snapped a five-game losing streak with a win at Pittsburgh last week and are hoping to escape the AFC cellar. Bill Belichick and Andy Reid are both in the top five for all-time coaching victories.
KANSAS CITY (8-5) at NEW ENGLAND (3-10)
Sunday, 1 p.m., EST, FOX
OPENING LINE: Chiefs by 8 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Kansas City 7-6; New England 3-10.
SERIES RECORD: Kansas City leads 20-16-3.
LAST MEETING: Chiefs won 26-10 in 2020.
LAST WEEK: Chiefs lost to Bills 20-17; Patriots beat Steelers 21-18.
TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Chiefs minus-7; Patriots minus-9.
CHIEFS PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Jerick McKinnon. Isiah Pacheco missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a disappointing 2020 first-round pick, was largely ineffective as his replacement. That means there could be more work for McKinnon, who specializes as a third down back catching passes out of the backfield. He averaged nearly 5 yards on four carries with a TD last week against Buffalo; Edwards-Helaire carried 11 times for just 39 yards.
PATRIOTS PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Ezekiel Elliott. With Rhamondre Stevenson out, the Patriots have turned to the back who earned three Pro Bowl selections with the Cowboys. Elliott carried a season-high 22 times against Pittsburgh and caught seven passes for a combined 140 yards from scrimmage.
KEY MATCHUP: The Patriots defense has been the lone bright spot this season, allowing only four touchdowns in the past four games — and two of them on short fields following turnovers. In four previous games against the Patriots, including a playoff matchup in the 2018 season, Patrick Mahomes averages 21 completions on 34 attempts for 291 yards; he has thrown for 10 touchdowns against them with three interceptions and been sacked six times.
KEY INJURIES: Pacheco missed last week’s game against the Bills along with Chiefs left tackle Donovan Smith (neck), linebacker Drue Tranquill (concussion) and safety Bryan Cook (ankle). Patriots: Stevenson (ankle) is expected to miss his second straight game. WR Demario Douglas (concussion protocol) has missed the previous two games.
SERIES NOTES: The teams are 5-5 in their past 10 games, with the Chiefs winning the past two. … The most recent New England win was a 37-31 victory in the AFC championship game in the 2018 season. … The Patriots are 5-2 (including one playoff win) against Kansas City in Gillette Stadium.