So far be it for them to write off the underdog Kansas City Chiefs in Thursday night's NFL season opener at Gillette Stadium.

(And even if the Patriots were supremely confident heading into the game — which would be understandable in light of their history on this high-profile stage — they wouldn't dream of saying so.)

"Opening day's always a time where you have a lot of questions [and] butterflies," New England coach Bill Belichick told reporters this week in comments far more colorful than his typical drab gray. "Lots of unknowns on our team. Lots of unknowns on their team.

"Lots of unknowns when the two collide."