The NFL has not only been all the way back over the past couple of weeks, but is indeed at full speed. The Kansas City Chiefs made sure to start the season off hot, crushing division rival Denver Broncos 31-10 in a game that saw Kenneth Walker III's instant impact from the backfield and a young defense filled with impressive performances.
And while the Chiefs hold a nice grip on the AFC West with wins and losses by both the Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, it would mean nothing if the Chiefs can't carry that momentum into Week 2. KC is set to host the Indianapolis Colts in a Sunday night thriller at Arrowhead.
A Colts team that is no doubt hungry to bounce back from a 41-23 drubbing at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens. Indy gave up over 500 yards of offense, something defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was certainly not pleased with, and should have a much better game plan heading into this battle against KC.
Can the Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated in Sunday night clash versus the hungry Indianapolis Colts?
Last season, these two teams faced off, and it almost ended in disaster for Kansas City. The Chiefs won, but barely, coming back from a 20-9 deficit in the fourth quarter to win by three on a 27-yard Harrison Butker field goal with 1:57 to spare in overtime.
Chiefs Offense vs. Colts Defense
There were sides to the Chiefs 'offense in the Denver game. On the one hand, the rushing attack was unstoppable, in large part due to Walker's excellence and the interior Chiefs linemen creating running lanes. On the other hand, the passing attack, especially early on in the first half, was basically nonexistent.
The Broncos have a great secondary, and that could explain a bit of it. Also, the Chiefs' tackles Kahlil Benson and Jaylon Moore both had rough nights in pass protection, forcing Patrick Mahomes to get the ball out earlier than when routes could really develop downfield.
Either way you slice it, the Colts defense is not the Broncos. While Anarumo is a very good defensive mind and has given Mahomes problems over the years, what matters more than anything is the players on the field. And the Colts don't exactly have a lot of difference-makers on that side of the ball.
I would expect the Chiefs' game plan to be somewhat similar to Week 1. Establish the run early and often with Walker, rookie Emmett Johnson, and perhaps even a sprinkle of Brashard Smith, who did not record a touch last week. And then build the passing game off of that while, at the same time, keeping Mahomes as clean as possible in the pocket.
I would like to see the Chiefs be a bit more aggressive downfield with Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, especially. The two combined for just 37 yards on five catches and should have an easier time getting open versus the likes of Sauce Gardner, who so far has not exactly lived up to the billing since being traded to Indy, and former Chiefs Charvarius Ward, who, now at age 30, is starting to look like it on the field.
In terms of pass rushers, the Colts do not pose the same threat as the Broncos. DeForest Buckner is one of the better d-tackles in the league, but not the same player he once was where he could take over a game. Arden Key remains a solid veteran piece off the edge, but 25-year-old Laiatu Latu should be the main focus of the Chiefs' offense on who to look out for.
I would expect Travis Kelce to have another solid showing against a poor linebacking unit of the Colts. Perhaps not break off a massive 59-yard catch-and-run on a broken play, but certainly much more volume than his three receptions. I expect another relatively clean and efficient performance from the Chiefs offense in this one.
Colts Offense vs. Chiefs Defense
The biggest news that came out of KC this week was that rookie sixth-overall pick Mansoor Delane was a full-go in practice and should be ready to roll in game two. After a reaggravation of his shoulder injury that forced him to miss most of the offseason, Delane is set to return in full force and hopefully make another game-changing play or two, as he did on the third play in Week 1, picking off Bo Nix.
The Colts possess a solid offensive system and scheme from head coach and playcaller Shane Steichen. They have a quarterback in Daniel Jones who is not as mobile as he once was coming off a torn Achilles, but can still fire the ball downfield and has years of experience in the same system.
Jonathan Taylor needs to be the Chiefs' first, second, and third focus in this game. His beating them up and down the field would wash away so much of the confidence this young defensive group instilled in us with last week's performance.
The good thing is that the Chiefs, with worse personnel on the field, most notably in their D-line, last season, bottled Taylor up for 58 yards on 16 carries. Free agent addition Khyiris Tonga was excellent in his first Chiefs stint as the team's starting nose tackle. And while the Colts have a really good left guard in Quenton Nelson, the rest of the offensive line is very suspect.
If the Chiefs can get home again consistently with a four-man pass rush in this game, I'm not sure the receivers would be able to get open against KC's trio of corners in Nohl Williams, Delane, and L'Jarius Sneed. Michael Pittman is no longer on the team, and Alec Pierce is known to be a vertical threat, not a route runner.
Lastly, Indy does have a not-so-secret weapon in tight end Tyler Warren, who scored a touchdown last week and is one of the better young tight ends in the game right now. The Chiefs have been up 40-plus yards against Evan Engram last week, along with a score. They have always had trouble covering tight ends. Hopefully Warren isn't the guy who is able to capitalize big on this weakness.
The Verdict
Maybe it's me feeling overconfident from one game, but this is a contest that I expect the Chiefs to win, and by all rights they should. They are the better team at home, with the superior quarterback and stronger defense. I think Mahomes feels more comfortable in his second game back and returns to looking more like his old self; Walker continues to impress, and this defense looks fast and forceful once again.
Week 2 Score Prediction: Chiefs 27, Colts 17
Chiefs Keys to Success
- Attack the Colts second level of the defense on the ground and through the air
- Continue to get pressure with four, forcing Daniel Jones to hold the ball
- Special teams cannot be a net-negative once again. No ST penalties
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