Tom Brady – No need to dig deeper than the G.O.A.T., coming off his best game of the season. The Patriots need TB12 to keep things rolling Sunday evening in Kansas City. Brady may need to continue to lean on the running game and short passing success, but he'll also probably have to make some more plays down the field in this one to keep pace with the high-scoring Chiefs.

Stephon Gilmore – How exactly Gilmore will be deployed is an interesting matchup question heading into the AFC title game. What isn't a question, though, is the need for the All-Pro to be a productive part of the Patriots pass defense against Patrick Mahomes & Co. Whether it's man or zone, matched up with Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins or even Travis Kelce, Gilmore must make more plays than he gives up.

Sony Michel – The first-round rookie's playoff debut included three touchdowns and 100-plus yards…in the first half. Michel helped balance out the blowout of the Chargers and will be counted on again to help out the passing attack in a much bigger challenge on the road in Kansas City.

Dont'a Hightower – Hightower is back in the postseason and back making plays for the Patriots defense. A week after arguably his best game of the season the leader of the front may be asked to play a key role in the run game, as a pass rusher and maybe even in coverage.

Trent Brown – New England's left tackle represents the entire offensive line here, which may be the key to the Patriots putting themselves in place for an upset in Kansas City. Brown and the rest of the front must win the line of scrimmage on the road and on grass against a front that includes a trio of troublesome pass rushers in Chris Jones, Dee Ford and Justin Houston.

Patrick Mahomes – Making just his second postseason start, Mahomes is still looking for his first playoff touchdown pass. Still, the presumed MVP is arguably the most important player in this game and the man with the legs, arm and athletic ability to most influence whether Kansas City rides the No. 1 seed to the Super Bowl or comes up short.

Chris Jones – Despite 15.5 sacks during a pretty dominant regular season, Jones isn't exactly a household name. The former second-round pick has become a dominant force on the Chiefs defensive front, one that's played much better at home this season.

Tyreek Hill – Hill may be the fastest, most dangerous weapon in football. He moves all around the field and can make plays anywhere on it. New England must find a way to at least slow down the speedster who's tallied a combined 14 catches for 275 yards and four scores in his last two meetings with the Patriots, including a 75-yard touchdown in each game.

Dee Ford – The former first-round pick notched 13 sacks during the regular season and added a strip sack of Andrew Luck in last week's win over the Colts. Ford is a major factor in the Chiefs three-headed monster pass rush that helped the team tie for the NFL lead in sacks during the regular season with 52.

Damien Williams – Most thought the Chiefs would lose a major part of their offense when they cut ties with star running back Kareem Hunt, but the former Dolphin Williams has picked up the slack. Williams has run the ball well over the last month-plus, including 129 yards and a touchdown in the win over Indy to open the postseason, unexpectedly adding to the depth of K.C.'s weapons this January.