Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots (-15, 46)

Offense

Imagine how crazy the Patriots’ offense would be if they even had an average running game. The Pats are putting up 28.8 points per game with a rushing attack that managed just 105.9 yards per game on 4.2 yards per carry – and that’s with teams stacking the secondary to defend the pass.

Tom Brady is averaging a career-best 8.4 yards per passing attempt, but does have 10 interceptions to go along with his 23 TDs. Tight end Ron Gronkowski has 214 receiving yards and three touchdowns over the last two weeks.

Kansas City’s offense is a major question mark as Tyler Palko takes over for Matt Cassel at quarterback. Palko has only 13 career passing attempts and is making his first NFL start. The Chiefs sat 27th in the league in passing offense (182 yards per game) and points per game (15.7) with Cassel in, so Palko has his work cut out for him.

The Chiefs have used Jackie Battle, Dexter McCluster and Thomas Jones in the backfield in an attempt to make up for the loss of Jamaal Charles but are managing just 4.1 yards per run.

Edge: Patriots

Defense

New England’s defense sits dead last in the league allowing 412 yards per game – 308.9 through the air and 103.1 on the ground. Starting cornerback Devin McCourty is expected to be out with a shoulder injury, which means Kyle Arrington could be busier than usual. Arrington is tied for the NFL lead with five interceptions.

The Pats defensive line has shown some promise lately and Andre Carter picked up 4 ½ sacks in last week’s win over the Jets. However, the Pats are getting stops on third down just 43.1 percent of the time

Kansas City allows 24.2 points per game, two more per contest than the Pats, but the Chiefs allow only 364 yards an outing and sit 19th against the pass. The big problem is a pass rush that has notched a league-low nine quarterback sacks all season. The Chiefs do sit tied for third in the AFC with 13 interceptions and will need to be sharp.

We’ll give a slight edge to the Chiefs.

Edge: Chiefs

Special teams

The Pats are coming off one of their better special teams efforts in a long time, but has a long way to go yet. New England averages just 20.8 yards per kick return and 9.6 yards per punt, while Kansas City checks in at 22.5 yards per punt and 13.7 yards per punt.

New England’s Stephen Gostkowski has hit 16 of his 19 field goals with a long of 50 yards. Ryan Succop has missed only three of his 15 kicks with a long of 54 yards.

We like the way New England’s special teams unit is rounding into form.

Edge: Patriots

Word on the street

“If we can try to get him off the spot, so that he has to move, that might throw off the timing a little bit, and then if we’re lucky, we might be able to make a play.” – Kansas City defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel on what he wants to do to stop Tom Brady.

”Anyone that is 300 pounds and has to run play after play and doesn’t get a break is going to get tired,” Patriots left guard Logan Mankins about New England’s no-huddle offense.

The New England Patriots talked to Waters last week and by Monday, one week before the season opener at Miami, Waters was in the locker room preparing for his first practice.

“I had numerous phone calls. It was just about finding a situation that was best for me,” said Waters, a five-time Pro Bowl guard. “It’s a great organization, so why not? The record speaks for itself. It’s a football team that’s a contender year in and year out.”

Waters said he got the call Friday, visited New England on Saturday and reached a deal Sunday.

The Patriots could use the experience on the line, where right guard Dan Connolly has been out since injuring his ankle in the third preseason game. The Patriots also placed center Rich Ohrnberger on injured reserve.

Although he has played mostly at left guard, the Patriots are set there with Logan Mankins, who went to his third Pro Bowl last season.

“I’ve been a fan of Brian’s for quite a while now,” said Mankins, whose locker is next to Waters’ cubicle. “He’s a good player and a good guy so we’re happy to have him.”

Waters said he could move over to the right side if that’s where the Patriots need him.

He is a welcome addition to the Patriots, who need to do everything they can to protect quarterback Tom Brady by keeping the offensive line well stocked. Once the lockout ended, the Patriots re-signed free agent left tackle Matt Light, who will continue to protect Brady’ blind side.

Mankins, a holdout for seven games last season in a contract dispute, has a new six-year deal, and the Patriots drafted Colorado tackle Nate Solder in the first round. By grabbing Waters, New England adds 320 pounds of very experienced bulk to the front line.

“I’m glad he’s on this side,” nose tackle Vince Wilfork said. “I’ll tell you that.”

Waters spent 11 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before he was released at the end of July. Waters says it was a mutual parting. Waters also is a member of the NFL Players Association’s executive committee, which kept him busy during the lockout.

He expected to play again, even as teams completed training camp and the preseason with Waters still at home.

“Being home with the family, there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s not a bad thing at all. I was enjoying that time,” he said. “This is what I do. I wanted to play this year and it just so happened that a great opportunity presented itself to me.”

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More: Logan Mankins (G – NEP), New England Patriots

Logan Mankins is now a very rich man (well, he was very rich compared to most of us before, but now just by NFL standards). Mankins’ six-year contract extension with the New England Patriots is worth $51 million.

Mankins will earn base salaries of $1.5 million in 2011; $3 million in 2012; $6 million in 2013; $6.5 million in 2014; $7 million in 2015 and $7 million in 2016, according to the source. (via Mike Reiss, ESPN Boston)

The deal makes Mankins the highest paid guard in the NFL. So far, Mankins has lived up to the hype, providing exceptional protection for Tom Brady ever since he was drafted No. 32 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Mankins was barred from participating in Patriots’ practice until August 4 due to the new CBA, and his status for Thursday night’s preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars is currently unknown.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.

Read More: Logan Mankins (G – NEP), New England Patriots

Logan Mankins isn’t going anywhere for a long time. Mankins has reportedly signed a six-year deal to remain with the New England Patriots on Wednesday afternoon, according to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN.

 

Earlier in the day, Patriots owner Robert Kraft had hinted that the team was close to resigning Mankins and that he hoped to have Mankins retire as a Patriot. This extension is not a foregone conclusion, as Mankins held out for half of the season last year, and at was ultimately not expected to resign with the team.

Mankins has played with the Patriots since he was drafted No. 32 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.

Read More: Logan Mankins (G – NEP), New England Patriots

It’s been a weird couple years for G Logan Mankins and the New England Patriots. Mankins, a 2005 first round pick, has yet to reach free agency. He was one of those fifth year players who, in a normal year would be a free agent, was restricted because of the uncapped 2010 season.

He sat out for half the season in protest of his deal and, after the season ended, they restricted him again through the franchise tag. Mankins was obviously frustrated.

After all that, and the situation last year, it sounds like Mankins could actually stay in New England long-term. He has already signed his franchise tender guaranteeing him over $10 million in 2011 but Patriots owner recently told reporters that he hopes Mankins will soon be a “Patriot for life.”

Mankins said last week that it’s possible he could remain in New England on a long-term deal. Kraft’s words strongly suggest that something like that is in the works.

One wrinkle in the new rules: because Mankins is a franchised player, the two sides can’ strike a long-term deal only until Sept. 20. After that, they can’t sign him until after the season.

Check out Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston for reactions and updates.