Tom Brady took the field before a match-up with the Chiefs earlier this season. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) — The Patriots blew out the Chargers 41-28 in the divisional round to wrap up a 9-0 season at home—but, to reach their fourth Super Bowl in five years, the Pats will have to win in Kansas City. WBZ NewsRadio's Adam Kaufman spoke to Boston Globe Patriots beat reporter Ben Volin to preview the chilly AFC Championship match-up.
Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, Sony Michel, and James White were all tremendous. Who does Volin think is most likely to replicate their performance in KC?
"Probably James White," Volin said. "I think it's going to be a heavy dose of him in the passing game. Frankly, that's the Patriots offense right now, heavily revolving around the running backs, and then Julian Edelman. He's really their only receiver that's contributing regularly."
It'll be insanely cold at Arrowhead Stadium, with possible below-zero temperatures. Tom Brady's 24-4 in his career when it's sub-30 degrees (that includes last weekend). Does one team benefit more from this climate than the other?
"I do think the weather plays into the Patriots' favor," Volin said. "I think if this were in a warm-weather climate or in a dome, and it turns into a track meet? Then forget it, I think the Chiefs would go up and down on them. But the cold, there may be some snow or ice on the field, it might not be the best conditions. They've had to replace some of the turf, so we'll see how that goes and if that holds or if there's some slick spots. But I think it'll slow down the game and make it tougher on Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs passing offense."
Kaufman and Volin also discussed takeaways from the throttling of the Chargers, how the Patriots can exploit the Chiefs' weak defense, which Chiefs offensive weapon is most important to neutralize, the Pats' embracing of the "us against the world" mentality once again, final predictions, and more.
WBZ NewsRadio's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports