Patriots vs Chiefs MNF: 5 questions with the enemy

1. Who is one player on the Patriots offense we don't know but should?

Pats Pulpit: Let's go with rookie center Bryan Stork. Drafted in the fourth round out of Florida State, Stork was seen by most as the future for the Patriots at center. However, after the trade of Logan Mankins and the poor play of Jordan Devey at right guard, the future could be now.

Stork saw some action in each of the last two weeks, and replaced Dan Connolly at center late against the Raiders (Connolly shifted to right guard for Devey) and had some positive results. However, if he does indeed make his first career start against Dontari Poe and the Chiefs, it could be a match-up that Kansas City could take advantage of.

2. Who is one player on the Patriots defense we don't know but should?

Pats Pulpit: Second year cornerback Logan Ryan is one to know. Drafted in the third round out of Rutgers a year ago, Ryan shined in a limited role as a rookie, coming up with five interceptions. He's continued his excellent play into 2014, where he's become the top cornerback opposite Darrelle Revis while Brandon Browner serves his suspension. He's not the type of player who is on the national radar quite yet, but he's coming along nicely for the Patriots as part of the league's statistically top-ranked pass defense.

3. Does the Patriots offense still run through Rob Gronkowski?

Pats Pulpit: I wouldn't say that at this point, but it would be nice if it did after the success he had as the focal point of the offense last year. Gronkowski has looked a bit slow out of the gates, and he has yet to have a full workload in a game.

Perhaps you could say this offense is running through receiver Julian Edelman. However, it's hard to say it's really running though anyone because the unit as a whole is completely lacking an identity. The reason? The horrid offensive line play. It all starts up front, and the Patriots haven't been able to establish much of anything through the ground or through the air because of the lack of consistent play and personnel up front.

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4. If you're the Chiefs offensive coordinator, where are you attacking the Patriots?

Pats Pulpit: Right up the middle of the defense, without a doubt. The Patriots have played the run well the last two weeks, but if defensive tackle Sealver Siliga misses the game and the Patriots fall back into the 3-4, the Chiefs could still victimize the Patriots in that area. This is especially true if Joe Vellano is in the game (although to his credit, he did play good football a week ago). Also, I'm making sure to run a lot of crossing routes and running back screens. For some reason, the Patriots still can't defend those plays effectively.

5. What's your prediction for the game?

Pats Pulpit: I've gone back and forth on this one. The Patriots almost always seem to bring their best in primetime football. But this is at Arrowhead, where the Chiefs always seem to bring their best in primetime football. The Patriots offense is going to have a chip on their shoulder heading into the game after their poor performance against the Raiders.

That being said, I have the Patriots winning 17-16 on a late field goal from Stephen Gostkowski.