Patriots vs. Chiefs: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Week 4 is just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Kansas City Chiefs—a prime-time matchup on Monday Night Football against an AFC powerhouse in front of a raucous Arrowhead Stadium crowd as the Chiefs host the New England Patriots.

Andy Reid's Chiefs have sputtered to an uninspiring 1-2 to start the season, but enter Week 4 coming off a 34-15 win over the Miami Dolphins—a team that defeated their Monday night opponent by two scores opening weekend. But Kansas City won't be overlooking the Patriots, who have won two straight since then.

New England is no stranger to being visitors in a packed house for a game with big early-season implications. Despite a 2-1 record, the Patriots haven't played their best football and will be looking to hit their stride after struggling to a win over the Raiders last week.

Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know for Monday night's matchup.

When: Monday, September 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Watch: ESPN

Betting Info: New England (-3), Over/Under 46 (via Odds Shark)

Team Injury Reports

Player (Injury)	Position	Status
Joe McKnight (Achilles)	RB	Questionable
Jamaal Charles (Ankle)	RB	Questionable
De'Anthony Thomas	RB	Questionable
Eric Berry	S	Questionable

Player (Injury)	Position	Status
Rob Gronkowski (Knee)	TE	Questionable

Injury updates will be at ESPN.com when available.

Can New England Turn Things Around Up Front?

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The Patriots are 2-1 largely due to their defensive dominance through the opening stretch of the season. It's certainly not because of their offensive line.

Quarterback Tom Brady has been sacked seven times through the first three games, and there's been no real push up front to energize a run game that has fallen into the bottom 10 of the league. It's had a negative impact on the passing game as well, which is a lowly 27th in the NFL.

The preseason trade of Logan Mankins didn't help, but it's been a ghastly performance overall from the bigs and if the Patriots are truly contenders for a return to the Super Bowl, it will have to improve greatly.

The linemen seemingly know this, per Mike Reiss of ESPN:

While there has been a little improvement from Week 1 when they gave up four sacks, the line has typically failed to impress this season and the rest of the league has taken notice.

That includes Reid and the Chiefs, who decided if there's nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. Per Erik Frenz of Boston.com:

The Chiefs have taken their bumps and bruises up front on the defensive side already this season, losing two starters in Week 1. That has resulted in a 23rd-ranked run defense, but Kansas City recently wreaked havoc on Ryan Tannehill in Week 3, sacking him four times.

It's not a Chiefs front four at full strength, but still one that can cause problems against a weak offensive line. They showed this against the Dolphins, and it will likely show itself against another AFC East opponent unless New England can make serious strides in the course of a week.

Can Kansas City Continue Success Against Elite Patriots D?

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While they didn't get off to the start that they wanted to, the Chiefs offense has turned things around entering Week 4.

Alex Smith threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Dolphins, and the run game was stout without Jamaal Charles in the fold. Knile Davis scampered for 132 yards and a score on 32 carries, and running back Joe McKnight caught six balls for 64 yards and two touchdowns.

But it will be easier said than done keeping that up against the defensive unit coming to town.

The Patriots boast the league's best passing defense through three games, giving up just 168.7 yards per game through the air. They aren't much worse on the ground, giving up just 104 yards per game there.

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Of course, the potential return of Charles could help out the Chiefs' cause. Per Frenz's report, Reid is hopeful his star running back will return for Monday's game. But don't expect the Patriots to worry too much about a single player—they're focused on the entire offense.

"They're going to give the ball to whoever," Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower said, per Frenz. "Whether [Charles] plays or not, if he's not playing, they have so many other playmakers to get the ball to. Definitely, watching film on him is a must and a key, but also for the whole offense, [Chiefs head coach] Andy Reid does a great job of giving all those guys the ball in different ways, in multiple ways. It's more on the concepts, not necessarily the players."

From the looks of this year's New England defense, it's not surprising to hear such confidence. Along with their favorable rankings, more stats back up their case as one of the league's best units, per ProFootballFocus.com's Pete Damilatis:

If there's one place where the Pats' D can be exposed, it's in the deep passing game against gunslinging quarterbacks and elite wideouts. The Chiefs boast neither, having their most success with a run-heavy attack that features a short passing game.

Kansas City's defense might keep them in it regardless, but there won't be much to cheer about for Arrowhead fans if Smith, Charles and Davis aren't able to set the tone by running the ball and establishing their offense.

Prediction

The Patriots can continue to win despite showing little signs of formidability on the offensive line, and that's a testament to just how dominant this defense is.

New England has shut things down on the perimeter, allowing for their front seven to wreak havoc in the run game. With Smith struggling to find consistent downfield targets, the Patriots won't be shy throwing eight men in the box and forcing Smith's hand to make plays down the field. That's a recipe for disaster against a Patriots defense that has been forcing turnovers like crazy to start out 2014.

A healthy Chiefs defensive line might be able to negate that disadvantage, but without Mike DeVito and Derrick Johnson, their front seven is a shell of what they could be. They will still get some pressure on Brady and make things difficult, but the Kansas City offense won't be able to execute late.

Prediction: Patriots 24, Chiefs 20