Kansas City Chiefs: 10 Likes and 10 Dislikes from Week 5 vs Indianapolis

On Sunday Night Football, the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Indianapolis Colts, and were outplayed, losing by the score of 19-13.

Here are my 10 likes and 10 dislikes from the Kansas City Chiefs’ first loss of the season.

10 Likes

1. The Lone Touchdown

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1181012798471467009

Yet again, the Kansas City Chiefs scored a touchdown in the second quarter. This time, it came on a 3rd-and-18 from the Colts’ 27 as quarterback Patrick Mahomes was rushed and forced to scramble backward to nearly the 50 before reversing course and firing a dart into the end zone, finding wide receiver Byron Pringle for the touchdown.

This put the Chiefs up 10-7, their only lead of the game..

2. Tyrann Mathieu’s Big Plays

First, Mathieu picked off quarterback Jacoby Brissett‘s pass intended for tight end Eric Ebron that, had it been completed, would’ve been a touchdown. Later, in the fourth quarter with the Colts in the red zone and running it down the Chiefs’ throats, Matheiu burst into the backfield, avoided a block, and made a tackle for loss, helping thwart the drive and forcing the Colts into kicking a field goal.

3. Mahomes’ Grit

Hobbled early, but he stayed in. Clearly, it took a toll on him, as after the hit, he was less mobile. Later, his own blindside tackle stepped on his ankle, and he looked even worse. Yet, he stayed in, and, according to the NBC broadcast, refused medical treatment.

That grit is great to see in a team’s leader and the face of the franchise, especially given that it came in the face of defeat.

4. Accountability, No. 1

Tight end Travis Kelce had a rough first half that included an offensive pass interference penalty as well as two dropped passes. One of those drops was initially ruled a fumble recovered by the Colts, but after the review, was overturned. Regardless, he had two drops on that drive.

During the official review of the fumble, cameras caught Kelce jawing with, and even shoving, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who had lit into Kelce on the sideline. Moments later, the two embraced. Then Kelce went out there and played much better.

5. Zero Blitz

I believe it was in the third quarter, and the Chiefs defense had finally pushed the Colts into a 3rd-and-long situation. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuaolo called for a Zero Blits, meaning there would be no free safety.

The blitz worked, and while the Chiefs did not sack Brissett, they did force him on the right to this right, and he basically threw the ball away. And while the Colts converted on their two 4th-down attempts, this wasn’t one of them. They punted it back to Kansas City.