Tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN from Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) will host the New England Patriots (2-1) in the latest installment of Monday Night Football. Live stream the game free by clicking this link; Patriots fans can hear the radio broadcast on 98.5 The Sports Hub, while Chiefs fans may do likewise by turning their dials to KCFX 101.1.
The Patriots enter this game as road favorites, but that has less to do with their dominance this season and more with the perception of the Chiefs. New England's offense has been quiet this year despite the presence of tight end Rob Gronkowski, and head coach Bill Belichick sees too many areas of improvement to point out one as key.
"We can do just really pretty much everything better offensively," Belichick said. "Everything. Blocking, throwing, catching, running, run reads, routes, distribution, you name it."
Gronkowski's been a good red zone threat through New England's first three games, but he hasn't been the force of destruction from years past. Despite 23 targets in 2014 Gronkowski's only been able to rack up 116 yards and two touchdowns.
Aside from Gronkowski, the wide receiving corps is limited and that's been evident in Tom Brady's statistics. Brady has yet to throw for 250 yards this year, and hasn't registered more than one touchdown in any of the three contests. That could change tonight though, as the Chiefs rank near the bottom of the NFL in both passing and rushing defense.
They are particularly poor at defending tight ends, per FootballOutsiders.com, which could mean a breakout game from Gronkowski.
The Chiefs should have running back Jamaal Charles back for this game, and quarterback Alex Smith said they have momentum on their side after blowing out the Miami Dolphins last week.
"Momentum's a funny thing," Smith said. "It's hard to put your finger on it, but certainly, this helps. This is what you're looking for, a win on the road, a tough win, I thought."
Patriots Injury Report
Sealver Siliga
DT
--
Did Not Participate In Practice
--
Michael Buchanan
DE
Ankle
Limited Participation in Practice
Probable
Jamie Collins
LB
Thigh
Limited Participation in Practice
Probable
Daniel Connolly
G
Foot
Limited Participation in Practice
Probable
Alfonzo Dennard
CB
Shoulder
Limited Participation in Practice
Probable
Robert Gronkowski
TE
Knee
Limited Participation in Practice
Probable
Don Jones
S
Hamstring
Limited Participation in Practice
Probable
Chiefs Injury Report
| James Berry | S | Ankle | Did Not Participate In Practice | Out |
| Joe McKnight | RB | Achilles | Out (Definitely Will Not Play) | Out |
| Vance Walker | DE | Shoulder | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Jamaal Charles | RB | Ankle | Limited Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Tamba Hali | LB | Ankle | Limited Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Sean Smith | CB | Groin | Limited Participation in Practice | Probable |
| De'Anthony Thomas | RB | Hamstring | Limited Participation in Practice | Questionable |
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