***TNF SEASON OPENER IN THE SWAMP - KC @ NE***

***KANSAS CITY CHIEFS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS***

Hello all and welcome back to another season of football in the Swamp baby! Tonight we open'r up with the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots hosting the dangerous Kansas City Chiefs. I won't waste any time getting into the ridiculousness of the Super Bowl and it's outcome, we all saw it. The SwampMan had the Pats picked and never doubted it for a second! Okay, maybe a little bit once ATL went up with another TD to open the second half, ha. What a show though as the Pats stormed back and the Brady/Belichick duo stole their record 5th Championship as a QB and Head Coach tandem. That being said, New England established themselves as truly dominant once again, and it looks like they aren't planning on going anywhere for a bit.

Tonight Foxborough will be insane as the Pats open up the season at home and unveiling their new banner, all the while with Public Enemy #1 in the house, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The Pats surely got their sweet revenge for the Deflategate saga by adding another Lombardi Trophy to their case but still seem to be holding onto that New England against the world persona, which is dangerous for a game like tonight. The energy that will be flowing inside that stadium will absolutely fuel a team that needs no further motivation to win at home tonight on National television to kickoff the 2017 NFL season.

The Pats have lossed their top WR weapon in Julian Edelman for the season. While this looms as a HUGE hit to that offense, the Pats do what the Pats do and see into the future better than anyone. This offseason they acquired WR speedster Brandin Cooks from the Saints and my God is he a perfect match for this offense and what they like to do. With TE Gronkowski back, and now also acquiring WR Phillip Dorsett from the Colts via trade recently, I would say that these guys will have no problem following their typical "next man up" policy. It is no secret that this offense is a finely tuned machine and only has players that fit that exact system, plug and play. So while the loss of Edelman is a gigantic one, the Pats will be fine. Now it may take some time to work out the kinks and get it to where it was last season, but I don't think they will have much trouble doing so here in this game tonight.

Kansas City is a solid team who had a very respectable run last season as they turned it on to win the AFC West and nabbed a first round bye, but then lost at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional round. The Chiefs have had quite the makeover themselves. They let the center piece of their defensive line DT Dontari Poe walk and head to Atlanta, the let WR Jeremy Maclin walk and sign with the Ravens and will also be without LB Tamba Hali and CB Steven Nelson tonight to name a few big changes. This is big time for me as I believe Brady and Belichick are the masters of figuring out your weakness and exploiting it. I watched CB Phillip Gaines get torched in many big spots towards the end of last season. He will most likely resume his position as a 3rd CB over the slot WR. CB Terrance Mitchell who played well at the end of last year will most likely start at the CB opposite stud star CB Marcus Peters. What I'm trying to say is, the Chiefs defense while very respectable, is already down a couple key pieces and without their anchor from last season. With an entire offseason for Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels to prepare, I anticipate the Pats to target those weaknesses and move the rock effectively. Yes the Pats let go of the thundering RB LeGarrette Blount, but they have a stable of many RBs (too many to name) who can all hurt you in both the running and passing game. Far too much mystery for this Chiefs defense to account for and handle in the opening night.

That being said, Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia is on his way to eventually becoming a Head Coach himself somewhere down the line with how effective he has been calling the shots during his tenure leading this defense. The Pats lost some key pieces as well on defense, but have also added CB Stephon Gilmore from the Bills to lineup opposite of Malcolm Butler. That my friends might be the best new CB duo in the league! The Chiefs will be without their starting RB Spencer Ware but have a promising new rookie RB in Kareem Hunt out of Toledo. The youngster has a great opporutnity in front of him and I think he will be a stud eventually. However his head may be spinning a bit tonight trying to pick up all the confusing blitzes that the Pats have come out and said they will be incorporating this season. We shall see. Long story short - I'm laying the chalk tonight in the Pats home opener as I just think that they will be too much on both sides of the ball for the Cheffies in week 1 to handle. It will take some points on Special Teams or turnovers I think for KC to get this cover, and I like my chances for the Pats to do their job and be on point here with taking care of the ball. Didn't have time to proofread any of this babbling so, forgive me please. PATRIOTS-8.5