I’m most likely going to be disappointed with the outcome of this game, but I’m still holding onto the chance that our defense is going to explode and not give Brady a fair chance to throw the ball.
I’ve been a big fan of Hali since he joined the team, so I’m really hoping he makes a huge impact on this game, especially with Allen’s absence.
So my dream for this game is a 13-9 win.

But I’m the same guy who wore his jersey to work every Friday deep into the losing streak last year.

I know we’re going to lose. Badly.

But that’s the best thing about this time of year, and about football. We can imagine winning, and it’s not that hard. An uncharacteristic bad day by Brady, an emotional lift from the rookies, DJ taking charge, and LJ running like he’d like to educate those that have written him about a thing or two.

I want to see the young safeties smack somebody. You want to score 40 on us? You can probably do that. But you’re going to feel every single inch of it tomorrow.

I’m as big of a Vermeil defendant as anyone, but man, it feels good to at least have a team that will smack someone again. We may go 2-14, but we’re going to hit someone.

If the Pats come out and put it on us then the young players could fold, but if we can escape the 1st quarter within 7 points, then it may give these guys more confidence to think they can keep it up. My prediction as of July 14 2008: FLowers runs a pick back for a TD on the 3rd play of the game, Brady throws 2 more, and Croyle throws none, Chiefs still lose 20-16.

Belichick is such a focused, you-guys-are-never-good enough coach, that I can’t imagine the Patriots coming into the game with the Chiefs taking a win for granted. Especially since their last game was a stinging loss that cost them a perfect season and a ring. Plus, unlike Herm, they don’t come into a game trying to win by 3 points, but rather plan and expect to win by 30. But since I imagine the spread on the game will be Grand Canyonesque, could a Flowers hit and Page INT for a TD fire up the Chiefs to do the unimaginable?

Ahh…hope, and the beauty of upsets every week in the NFL. I’ll have a lot more hope if we win a couple pre-season games this year. Say what you want about vanilla plays and player evaluation… The four pre-season losses were more of a precursor than we wanted to believe.

Good idea, Chris, to watch the D-line. Our O-line will be the other area that will really interest me. Can the 5 (...or 6 …or 7) guys we put up front create any holes and at least stop the tackles for a loss on our running plays?

Once we accept that we’ll be able to actually enjoy the season no matter where we end up.

And of course there’s always fantasy football to keep me sane if the season gets abominally ugly. Of course I doubt that this year’s team will be less watchable than last year’s so I think I’ll enjoy the Chiefs’ real-life season just fine.

our quarterback position plays decent. Teams with poor quarterback play do not make the playoffs. Croyle is the pivotal part of us talking playoffs. I believe that we will have enough of “Herm’s Guys” at the other positions to be competiive by ‘09. I really like how we have tried to build the defense first, and then we will get what we can out of the offense. I think the Patriots were built with a similiar strategy. They have had a dominant defense for years, but the offense keeps adapting to what they have in personnel and coaches. Give Chan 2 years and these guys should be comfortable enough, Brodie willing, to score some points! I agree that ‘08 is the steepest learning year for this team. If we can keep it together and play hard all year we will have an idea of what we can become.

is that sometimes they don’t know when they’re overmatched. I always think of the movie “For the Love of the Game” where Kevin Costner is an aging pitcher and towards the end, is pitching a Perfect Game. For the opponents last at bat, does the manager send out the gnarled veteran who’s seen everything? No, that guy is in awe of the history he might be watching. Instead, the manager sends out the cocky young guy and tells him to “wreck it”. The young guy has no respect, he’s hungry and wants to prove that he can take out the best of the best.

I’m hoping all these young guys we’ve got on the team will be like that guy. Rather than standing back in awe of the team that went 16-0 last season, I’m hoping they will be hungry to prove they belong in the NFL against the best.

In the end, it probably won’t matter. Talent and experience wise, the Chiefs are clearly overmatched against the Pats. But if they can keep it close and make a game out of it, that will be something positive they can take against the teams the next several weeks that are more at our level: Raiders, Falcons, Broncos. All very winable games.

Chris, I understand the focus on games that count for something (Patriots). I’d also love to see you do something similar to this for the preseason game with the Bears as it approaches. With so many young players, I’d love a discussion that will help the focus on things to watch during the preseason test for our young guys. The combined analysis of all the people on this site is an awesome way to get information that makes the games more fun to watch. I’m sure you’ve already got it in the works, but wanted to endorse your approach.