The Patriots are long gone from the playoff contention. With 3 wins and 10 defeats in 14 games this season, they aren’t even crossing the 6-win mark as predicted earlier. But there’s one legendary figure still standing at their sidelines. And their upcoming opponent, Chiefs’, head coach, Andy Reid, knows that pretty well.

The two will face off upcoming Sunday, in game week 15. The Chiefs are coming off a fresh defeat against the Bills whereas the Patriots managed a consolation against the playoff contender Steelers. None of those, however, concerns Reid as much as this particular reason before traveling to Gillette Stadium.

Chiefs’ HC Andy Reid tributes “the best” ahead of the Patriots clash

If no one had guessed it already, Reid refused to underestimate the 6x Super Bowl champions for their legendary head coach. “Listen, he’s the best,” Reid tipped his hat to Bill Belichick. “I mean, he’s a phenomenal coach, you know his guys are going to be ready. They’re well-coached and they play hard, you know that. That’s a tribute to him for how he goes about his business”, Reid had nothing but respect for the 71-year-old.

Even star QB Patrick Mahomes was aware of the threat possessed by the Belichick-led side. He knows tendencies. “He’s going to really break it down, what you do well and try to take that away,” Mahomes insisted that the Patriots’ defense will try to shut him down. “It will be a great challenge obviously for the offense, but for me especially”, the reigning NFL MVP hinted at his individual battle against the side.

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The match is going to be a star-studded one on both sides. But for one, it is a challenge to recover their conference in an attempt to defend the title. While for another, it’s a final dance before the curtain falls down on their greatest-ever era.

Andy Reid vs Bill Belichick: a battle of Gridiron Gargantuans

The Patriots head coach has a career record of 301 regular season wins, which is the third highest ever and highest among active coaches. Chiefs’ Reid is at 255 wins, which ranks as fourth highest ever and second-highest among active coaches. For the first time since 1990, two top-five winningest NFL coaches will be coming face-to-face in the regular season.

Reid is on a mission to revive the Chiefs’ season, which has taken consecutive hits in recent weeks. They have fallen far down from the AFC lead. To recover that, not only do they need to win their next two games but also the current leader Ravens need to lose both of those. Belichick, on the other side, is clear about his future as owner Robert Kraft has reportedly made up his mind for the upcoming season.

The fans can blame the head coach all they want, but Belichick’s departure might push the Patriots down further as they still try to reach for a shore in the post-Tom Brady era.

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