Kansas City Chiefs that must step up vs Colts in AFC Divisional Round
By John McCarty
CHIEFS WHO MUST STEP UP – XAVIER WILLIAMS AND DERRICK NNADI
The running game has not been a huge component of what the Colts do, instead using the rushing game once they get ahead to shorten games. Former first round pick Ryan Kelly appears to be back at center for the Colts after missing some games from injury and the Colts are coming off a game that saw starting second year back Marlon Mack go over 148 yards and a touchdown.
To avoid a repeat, Chiefs nose tackles Xavier Williams and rookie Derrick Nnadi will need to stand strong along the interior of the line.
While this somewhat goes without saying, the Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to stop the run. That’s no secret.
The Chiefs will have to be able to at least slow down the Colts running game early to keep them passing in hopes that pass rushers Justin Houston and Dee Ford are able to create loss plays and turnovers.
Important to that goal is the middle of the Chiefs defensive line, which will need to avoid being pushed backwards and allowing the Colts interior lineman to move up on linebackers which results in chunk rush plays. The Chiefs can’t have that if they want to win.
Williams and Nnadi will have their hands full with the Colts offensive line, but will need to stand strong to help the entire defense be good enough to win the game and advance to the conference championship game.