What’s Wrong With the Chiefs Next Opponent?

Laddie Morse

You might consider the Kansas City Chiefs next Game in Indianapolis against the Colts a trap game, but it appears to be anything but that. So far, the hapless Colts have tied the Houston Texans — and that’s quite a de-feat in itself — and then yesterday, they lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 24-to-0. Yes, next Sunday will be their Home Opener, but with an offense averaging 10 points per game — against two of the worst defenses in the league — plus a defense that is allowing an average of 22 points per game, K.C. should have no trouble at all piecing together a victory. Period.

First, allow me to remind you that the Jags finished last season (the 2021 year), with a record of 3-and-14 and that was not not only the worst record in the league but that record got them the “privilege” of picking first in the 2022 draft (and they took DE Travon Walker) for the second year in a row (they selected QB Trevor Lawrence in 2021). In a piece written by Jaleel Grandberry (for FanSided’s flagship Colts website called horseshoeheroes.com), called, “3 Reason the Colts Were Once Again Embarrassed by the Jacksonville Jaguars” he writes that the three reasons are:

1. Frank Reich didn’t commit to the run

2. Gus Bradley and the defense was out-schemed

3. Colts’ offensive line remains a huge problem

Let’s take those one at a time:

Commitment to the Run

Colts’ HC Frank Reich wasted RB Jonathan Taylor’s efforts a week ago in when he ran for 161 yards on 31 carries in a tie to the Texans. So, what does Reich do this week? He runs his Pro Bowler RB (who was a rookie last year) only 9 times against the Jags for 51 total yards. If he does that against the Chiefs, he’s in for a loooong day.

The only way I can see the Colts giving Patrick Mahomes and company a game, and keep it a close contest, is to successfully run the ball and thereby hold onto the ball. They must win the time of possession (ToP) and the only way they can do that is by running the ball and possessing the ball consistently.

On the other hand, the Colts won the ToP over the Texans by a wide margin — 39:37-to-30:23 — but still tied. Then, vs the Jags yesterday, they somehow bungled the ToP and lost both, ToP and the game, dramatically: 21:45-to-38:15, and 24-to-0.

In other words, it doesn’t appear that it matters at all if Indianapolis wins the time of possession. Besides, the Chiefs appear to have a running game that can help them control the ball as well.

The Colts Defense Was Out-Schemed

Grandberry also pointed out that:

“If Indy was playing a conservative zone, Lawrence [Jags QB] would find a shallow receiver. If the Colts went man, Jacksonville always schemed the perfect match-up….”

If Andy Reid’s scheme’s can beat a superior Los Angeles Chargers defense, his schemes are going to be a real problem for the Colts D:

Colts’ Offensive Line Is a Huge Problem

The Colts are going to have oodles and oodles of difficulties with the Chiefs new and improved DL. LT Matt Pryor, LG Quenton Nelson, OC Ryan Kelly, RG Danny Pinter, and RT Braden Smith… none of them sound like they are going to give our DL a real challenge or test. Besides, we all know, it takes a unit, playing as a cohesive outfit.

Not only was the Defensive Line a dominant force over the Cardinals OL, but Nate Tice noticed what I also noticed during the game vs the Chargers:

Unless something changes drastically for the Indianapolis Colts in the next week, the Chiefs are going to run away with this game. Bank it.

AFC West Standings

Week Two Game Results:

W – Chiefs 27, L – Chargers 24

L – Texans 9, W – Broncos 16

W – Cardinals 29, L – Raiders 23

Week Three Games

Chiefs at Colts

Raiders at Titans

Jags at Chargers

49ers at Broncos