Krause: Pats have the power to make it through AFC playoffs, reach Super Bowl

Last September, while the Patriots were struggling to beat a (so we thought) historically bad New York Jets team, I concluded that the only way any of them could make the Super Bowl is if they bought a ticket.The offense couldn?t get out of its own way, and Tom Brady was yelling and pointing all over the field.That was then. The Jets, though bad, weren?t historically so. And it turns out the rest of the American Football Conference?s teams are as flawed in one area or another as the Patriots are.Bill Parcells used to say that you are what your record says you are. That might be an overly simplistic way of looking at things (for example, it would be a fair comment to say that the Patriots could easily be 8-8 or even 7-9 as opposed to 12-4), but at the same time, it?s the only verifiable barometer there is.The Patriots finished 12-4, one game behind a Denver Broncos team that people seemed willing to whoosh into New Jersey on Feb. 2 without even having to play any games. In fact, the teams at the end of 2013 are in the exact same positions — with the exact same records — as they were at the end of 2012.We all know what happened last year. Could it happen again?It most assuredly could … at least the part about Denver choking in the playoffs. The difference is that unlike last year, the Patriots could very well be playing at MetLife Stadium on the banks of the Hudson River a month from now.Why? Maybe it?s because the only team that seems to have their number (Baltimore Ravens) is out of the playoffs, and maybe it?s because all the rest of them — including Denver — don?t look all that invincible. In fact, they?re all beatable.When the playoffs begin this weekend, the Cincinnati Bengals should beat the San Diego Chargers and I think the Kansas City Chiefs will defeat the Indianapolis Colts.That would put the Bungles in Foxborough next Saturday and the Chiefs in Denver Sunday.The Bengals, like the Patriots, were undefeated at home. But Cincinnati has been a disaster on the road, with losses to the Bears, Browns, Ravens, Steelers and Lions. Three of those teams were so disappointing their coaches got fired. (Of course, the Patriots lost road games to the Dolphins and Jets, too, so … ).The point is, though, this game will be in Foxborough.Also, Marvin Lewis may be the answer to that old Sesame Street song, “Which of These Things is Not Like the Other?” I mean, Bill Belichick … Andy Reid … John Fox … Marvin Lewis? Marvin Lewis? best attribute is that he can outcoach himself better than anyone else in the NFL.Kansas City and Denver will meet for the third time this season, and this will be a fun game. Reid and John Fox tangled a lot in their NFC days (Fox?s Carolina Panthers beat Reid?s Philadelphia Eagles to make the 2004 Super Bowl that the Pats won).Seeing Reid succeed with Kansas City after being treated so shabbily by the Eagles has been one of the league?s nicest stories of the year, and perhaps it?s wishful thinking, but I think his players — who love him — will extend his season for at least another week.I also say it doesn?t matter. If it?s Kansas City here of Denver there, I think the Patriots will win it. They will find a way.Last year, I remember saying that I?d rather face Denver out there than Baltimore anywhere. I haven?t changed my tune. I honestly think the Patriots have a better chance out in Denver than they do at home against the Chiefs, because Kansas City has a pretty stout defensive front and a strong defensive backfield.The reason — if all other things are equal — the Patriots will have an easier time with Denver is that Peyton Manning tries to do too much in big games. He tries to force things, and he makes bad mistakes. The Patriots have just enough guys in their defensive backfield who can make some plays against him. The Broncos also don?t have Von Miller, which is like the Patriots losing Jerod Mayo or Vince Wilfork.After their loss to the Ravens last year, I just think that the closer the P