Solid Victories: NE over KC

Let's look at the some of the matchups that constituted what could be called a solid victory for the winning side.





NE … 903.095
KC … 155.36








Kansas City held up surprising well for most of the first 2 or 3 quarters given that the team is undergoing a total rebuilding job. New England returns this season with most of its offensive and defensive front intact:


++++++++++New England Patriots++++++++++

No one hardly noticed when starting OG Stephen Neal was lost in the 2nd Quarter of the Super Bowl to a serious knee injury. But it didn't help the Patriots any in battling the Giants defensive pressure without him. Tom Brady's usual prolific point production during the 2007 season was hindered in the Patriot's only loss in the big game. Neal was placed on the PUP list in August, but the Patriots Offensive Lineup has been around long enough under Head Coach Bill Belichick to offer some quality depth. LB Roosevelt Colvin is now a Houston Texan, but the familiar old faces of Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel anchor a defense that has been playing together for awhile.

Here's how the Patriots matched up with the Chiefs on the fronts with changes from 2007 highlighted in Bold:


Defensive Front:

Mike Vrabel....Jerod Mayo(R)....Tedy Bruschi....Adalius Thomas

Ty Warren......Vince Wolfork......Richard Seymour


Offensive Line:

Matt Light...Logan Mankins...Dan Koppen...Billy Yates...Nick Kaczur





++++++++++Kansas City++++++++++

Herman Edwards has been in place as the KC Head Coach long enough to start putting in the pieces that he wants on his team---and he's doing just that. Gone are a whole slew of last year's starters--almost too many to mention. But gone from the active roster are offensive lineman Kyle Turley, Chris Terry, John Welboourn, and Casey Wiegmann--now a Denver Bronco. With DE Jared Allen now in Minnesota, most of the players on the 2007 defensive line are either gone or no longer starting.
So just who took the field Sunday and battled the Patriots?



Here are the starting lineups up-front with changes from 2007 highlighted in Bold:


Defensive Front:

Pat Thomas......Derrick Johnson......Donnie Edwards

Turk McBride...Tank Tyler...Glenn Dorsey(R)...Tamba Hali


Offensive Line:

Brandon...........................Rudy..............................Damion
Albert(R)--Brian Waters--Niswanger-Adrian Jones-McIntosh

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