The Patriots decided to stay in house as they re-signed QB Matt Gutierrez to the practice squad.  If something happened to Matt Cassel the Patriots would probably start Gutierrez over rookie Kevin O’Connell who’s still a little raw.  Gutierrez played in 3 games (0 starts) in the preseason for the Patriots this year and he completed 29 of 45 passes (64.4%) for 362 yards with 2 TD passes and 2 interceptions (85.6 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 6 times for 12 yards (2.0 ypc) in the preseason.  Gutierrez did get on the field for the Patriots last season as he played in 5 games (0 starts) and he completed his only pass attempt for 15 yards.  He also carried the ball 5 times for -13 yards (-2.6 ypc) but they were kneel downs at the end of victories.  This was a smart move for the Patriots as Gutierrez knows the offense.

The Patriots have lost possibly the best QB in NFL history for the rest of the season due to a torn left ACL.  He completed 7 of 11 passes (63.6%) for 76 yards with 0 TD passes and 0 interceptions (83.9 QB Rating) last Sunday and that’s what his season numbers will look like at the end of the year.  So the big question is…….are the Patriots also done for the season?  I’m taking the wait and see approach to figure that question out.  After all, Matt Cassel hasn’t starting a football game since 1999…..when he was in HIGH SCHOOL!  Cassell backed up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and he never started a game there but he was still drafted by the Patriots.  Did they know something that no one else did about Cassel?  Only time will tell but the Patriots’ offense is loaded at the skill positions so Cassel might surprise some people.  Cassel completed 13 of 18 passes (72.2%) for 152 yards with 1 TD pass and 0 interceptions (116.0 QB Rating) against the Chiefs last Sunday.  Cassel has appeared in 15 games (0 starts) in his NFL career now and he has completed 35 of 57 passes (61.4%) for 405 yards with 3 TD passes and 2 interceptions (85.8 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 16 times for 41 yards (2.6 ypc) with 1 TD run.  I think the Patriots might try to run the ball a little bit more than they have in the past to help protect Cassel and that would be a smart move.

The Patriots won the football game on Sunday against the Chiefs but they have likely lost the war as Tom Brady tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the 2008 season.  Brady completed 7 of 11 passes for 76 yards before being injured.  Matt Cassel came off of the bench and to the rescue as he completed 13 of 18 passes for 152 yards with 1 TD pass.  He also ran the ball 4 times for 13 yards (3.3 ypc) as he really stepped up with the Patriots needed him the most.  Sammy Morris was very effective in this game as he carried the ball 10 times for 53 yards (5.3 ypc) with a TD run.  He also added 5 receptions for 34 yards (6.8 avg) in this game.  Laurence Maroney was also effective running the ball with 10 carries for 51 yards (5.1 ypc).  Randy Moss led the way in the passing game for the Patriots with 116 yards receiving on 6 catches (19.3 avg) with a TD grab from Matt Cassel.  Wes Welker also pitched in with 6 grabs but only for 51 yards (8.5 avg).  The Patriots finished up with 126 yards rushing on 28 carries (4.5 ypc) and they also completed 20 of 29 passes for 212 yards. 

The Patriots’ Defense really stepped up in this football game.  Safety Rodney Harrison (14 tackles) and linebacker Tedy Bruschi (12 tackles) were both all over the football field in this game.  Linebacker Mike Vrabel was also outstanding with 6 tackles and 2 sacks.  CB Ellis Hobbs was making plays all over the field as he finished up with 4 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception.  The Chiefs finished up with 102 yards rushing on 27 carries (3.8 ypc) and they also completed 19 of 31 passes for 182 yards.  It showed a lot of character for the Patriots to win this game despite losing the best QB on the planet.

The Chiefs couldn’t have picked a worse team to play in the season opener.  The Patriots have a run stuffing defense and that is what you know Herman Edwards will want his team to do.  Larry Johnson will need the offensive line to control the line of scrimmage against the Patriots and I don’t see that happening.  NT Vince Wilfork will clog the middle of the defense and DE Ty Warren is one of the best run defenders at his position.  Rookie inside linebacker Jared Mayo and veteran insider Tedy Bruschi will likely help stuff Larry Johnson in this game.  The Chiefs would be smarter to come out throwing the football as the Patriots secondary is very vulnerable right now.  The Chiefs would have to keep OLBs Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas out of the backfield to allow Brodie Croyle time to throw the ball.  Dwyane Bowe and Tony Gonzalez could have big games against the Patriots if Herman Edwards allows them to.

The Patriots will likely be able to do whatever they want on offense in this game.  The Chiefs have a young, but talented secondary but the Patriots receivers know all of the tricks.  Look for Randy Moss to have a huge game but Wes Welker will catch more passes than him.  The Patriots might also run the ball more than usual in this game to protect Tom Brady’s health.  Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan would likely all be effective against the Chiefs’ defense.  That is unless rookie DT Glenn Dorsey is the real deal.

PREDICTION:  NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 38, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 10

The Patriots have signed 31-year old CB Deltha O’Neal.  O’Neal is a talented player who should help the Patriots out this season.  He played in all 16 games (8 starts) for the Bengals last season and he made 52 tackles, defensed 9 passes and he had 1 interception.  O’Neal will likely fit in on the nickel and dime packages for the Patriots this season.  O’Neal has now played in 116 games (75 starts) in his NFL career and he has made 354 tackles, has 15 sacks, has defensed 57 passes and he has 31 interceptions including 3 that he returned for TDs.  This was a good move for the Patriots.