Indianapolis Colts Lose Big Lead, Game to Kansas City Chiefs

The Indianapolis Colts built up leads of 17-0 and 24-7 before allowing the Kansas City Chiefs to storm back in Indy and take the October 9 game between the two teams by a final score of 28-24.   With injured quarterback Peyton Manning standing on the sidelines for the first time this season, the Colts came out of the locker room strong, and Curtis Painter turned in a strong first half before returning to his old form (3-for-10, 40 yards) in the second half.

Meanwhile, the Colts defense pretty much fell apart in the face of a two-pronged Kansas City attack that featured QB Matt Cassel’s comeback efforts and 119 rushing yards by Jackie Battle.   Cassel hit wide receiver Dwayne Bowe for 128 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, and WR Steve Breaston also grabbed to 2 TD passes.    Neither quarterback threw an interception, and Painter managed to stay on his feet all night.   The Colts sacked Cassel twice.

As bad as the Colts secondary has been this season, it could get even worse, as cornerback Jerraud Powers left the game with a hamstring injury.    Even Indy’s running game, which has been improved during the early parts of this season, stunk on ice this afternoon.   The combination of Joseph Addai, Delone Carter, and Donald Brown(!) carried the rock 26 times for 79 yards.  The really damning news about the rushing attack is that Brown was the star performer, picking up 38 yards on eight carries.  Carter DID score a touchdown, though.

As much as it hurts to think about, we could be looking at a team that has the potential to lose every game this season.  If the Colts can’t hold a 17 point lead at home against the 2011 Kansas City Chiefs, then we can’t consider to be any contest a likely win, no matter the opponent.   There are some winnable games left on the schedule, to be sure, and the Colts will probably get a few Ws before January blows in.

Just don’t be shocked if the Colts enter 2012 with a pristine .000 winning percentage.