Patriots at Chiefs week 4 preview: Patriots posed with threat of mobile Alex Smith

The first three weeks of the 2014 Patriots regular season have been far too exciting for fans of the team to appreciate. In three clashes with teams defined more by their mediocrity in the past decade than anything else, the Patriots themselves have been mediocre. Though they have been trying since week one to sort out their laundry list of on the field problems, time may have run out for the Patriots who face a big test this week.

Julian Edelman is still catching more than a third of Tom Brady’s passes. The Pats secondary, though satisfyingly competent at tackling, is still one plagued by penalties and the offensive line has continued to struggle to protect Brady in the pocket.

In three games, played against the Dolphins, Vikings and Raiders respectively, the Patriots are middle of the pack in rush defense. Also in those games the offence has been largely skewed in the direction of its established targets who, however great have the Pats sitting at 27th in the NFL in passing yards.

"We can do just really pretty much everything better offensively," coach Bill Belichick said. "Everything. Blocking, throwing, catching, running, run reads, routes, distribution, you name it."

Looking over to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Patriots must recognize that they will get yet another chance to vary their passing attack against a woeful secondary. The 1-2 Cheifs have allowed 223 passing yards per game this season while falling apart in the run game. In that category they are well within the bottom 10 defenses in the NFL.

The Chiefs offensive line has been the unit largely responsible for the team’s defensive shortcomings. Coach, Andy Reid recognizes a discrepancy in play calling for them.

"Some of that, especially early, that was my responsibility," Reid said. "We're in long-yardage situations, taking seven-step drops. I have to be a little smarter with the play call. And then the other ones, we have to make sure we block the right guys and do the right things."

However, among the Chiefs successes this season has been the play of their QB, Alex Smith. He is what makes this a big test for the Patriots.

Though leading his team through fewer passing yards than 25 other teams, Smith has tossed four touchdown passes this season to go along with 642 yards. But perhaps his biggest, most dangerous tool in the attack is his mobility in the pocket. Smith has scrambled for 95 yards this season and has not fumbled once. Smith does not deny his skill with the ball tucked.

“A lot of times, it sneaks up on the stat sheet, and if you can run for some first downs and make up some ground, it can really help you,” Smith pointed out. “And that’s just a matter of being smart with it when you’re a quarterback and you get out of the pocket because certainly this is a physical group and a lot of defenses are, so when you do get out, it’s about being smart and protecting yourself.”

When the Patriots and Chiefs clash Monday night, Alex Smith will be a player worth some attention from the Patriots defense.  As they prepped in Foxborough, the offensive line, particularly its cornerstone – Vince Wilfork – spoke of their wariness of Smith.  

“He’s got that team rocking and rolling,” said Wilfork. “Everybody’s working around him, they keep things mixed up with run, shot plays, pass game, screen – they throw it at you to see if you can defend it all and we need to be ready for everything.”