Keeping Tom Brady Upright Will Be Key for Patriots in Divisional Round vs Chiefs

The names have changed, but the New England Patriots' struggles on the offensive line have stayed the same. 

It was all downhill when left tackle Nate Solder was lost for the season with an elbow injury in Week 5, but the Patriots have also dealt with injuries to right tackle Sebastian Vollmer, backup tackle Marcus Cannon, center Bryan Stork and rookie guard Tre' Jackson this season. They will be as close to full strength as they can be in the divisional round against the Kansas City Chiefs, but will that be enough? 

This season, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been under pressure on 35.1 percent of his dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. That's right around the middle of the pack in the league. If we look at the Patriots during their 2-4 stretch in the final six games, though, their pass protection allowed pressure on 39.7 percent of Brady's dropbacks. 

A lot of things have changed since the Patriots and Chiefs met last year, but one thing that's stayed the same is Kansas City's talent in the front seven. The Chiefs' best pass-rushers are on the edge of the defense; outside linebacker Justin Houston ranked second among all 3-4 outside linebackers in pass-rushing productivity, and his teammate Tamba Hali ranked 11th. 

"

The good news about this is the #Chiefs go to Foxboro and they have the pass rush to take out Brady and the #Patriots.

— Derek Togerson (@DerekNBCSD) January 10, 2016"

Houston and Hali combined for three sacks and five total pressures in the 2014 Week 4 meeting between the two teams. 

Defensive tackles Dontari Poe and Jaye Howard might be an even bigger concern, though. Those two had a big impact on the Chiefs advancing over the Houston Texans. They combined for four pressures (two hurries, one hit, one sack), and one of Poe's pressures forced Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer to throw an interception on the goal line.

So, clearly, the pass rush could be a problem for the Patriots. Thankfully, there are two guys returning to action who can do something about it: Vollmer and Julian Edelman. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, both are on track to return in time for the divisional round.

The Patriots will need both if they want to get past the Chiefs. 

The return of Edelman could help the offensive line in pass protection by giving Brady another option to throw to underneath, but the Patriots are going to have to give Brady time in the pocket at some point unless they plan for every single throw to be four yards downfield.

Make no mistake: Brady will take advantage of his quicker receivers against the Chiefs' bigger cornerbacks. Almost every one of their cornerbacks is 6'0" or taller and 200 pounds or heavier. It will be essential for the Patriots to get Edelman and Danny Amendola involved in the short passing game, both to exploit those favorable one-on-one battles and to help keep the pressure off Brady.

If the Patriots want to win, those are the matchups they'll go after the most. However, if the Chiefs can find a way to slow down Edelman and Amendola, Brady is going to have to go elsewhere with the football, which means the offensive line is going to have to give him time to not only go through his progressions, but also to let the route develop.

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

That short element of the Patriots offense relies on rhythm, precision and timing, and with both Edelman and Vollmer coming back at the same time, the Patriots are going to have to get everyone on the same page quickly. That's going to be tough against a physical, speedy defense like the Chiefs, but Brady and Edelman are taking extra reps at practice, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

The Chiefs defense is a puzzle, to be sure, but it's one the Patriots will have to solve if they want to advance in the playoffs, and solving that puzzle all starts with better protection for Brady—whether that's a result of quicker passes or improved blocking.