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(AP) -- For three years, Matt Cassel studied at
the side of the master while waiting to play. Now, Tom Brady's
lessons are paying off.

Cassel has had an outstanding season and his Kansas City Chiefs
(10-6) are in the playoffs for the first time in five years. They
play at home Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens (12-4).

Cassel joined the Patriots as a seventh-round draft choice in
2005 and said Brady has been a mentor to him since then. They even
spoke on Tuesday when Cassel asked about the Ravens, who the
Patriots had beaten in their fifth game.

Brady gave some advice but said he kept some secrets to himself.
The Patriots and Chiefs could meet in the second round of the
playoffs. New England (14-2) has a bye this week.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)