3 reasons why the Chiefs game will be unbearable for Colts fans
The Indianapolis Colts, after starting 0-1-1, hold their first home game of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Prepare for the worst.
Disappointing doesn’t begin to describe the kind of start the Indianapolis Colts have gotten off to this season. What should have been two cakewalk games have turned into an 0-1-1 record. The team got off to a slow start in Houston but was able to come back and tie the Texans. Although, they missed opportunities to win that game.
Week 2 featured a matchup on the road against Jacksonville, a place where the Colts haven’t won in a long time. They extended their streak of losing road games to the Jaguars to eight last Sunday. Eight straight games in which we have lost on the road to one of the worst teams in the league.
Now, in Week 3, Indy gets their first home game of the season. Will they have supportive fans in the audience is the question. After getting off to this miserable start many Colts fans have been questioning the leadership and direction of this team. “All chips in” is starting to sound like the lost ideals of an ambitious owner.
The road doesn’t get any easier for Indianapolis as they face the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. The Chiefs are a perfect 2-0 on the year having played both on the road, against the Arizona Cardinals, and at home, against the Los Angeles Chargers. Their two wins are against strong opponents in the NFL including a division rival. This is shaping up to be a long day for Colts fans. Here are 3 reasons why this game will be unbearable for the horseshoe faithful.
3. Kansas City is battle tested
As I mentioned above, the Chiefs have already taken on two very good teams in the NFL and got wins over both. Despite their depleted receiving core, they were able to secure a win both on the road and at home.
In their season-opener, they led the Cardinals 14-0 heading into the second quarter and jumped out to a 23-7 lead at halftime. Despite having to incorporate several new pieces on both sides of the ball, they defeated the Cardinals (who are 1-1 and first in the NFC West) 44-14. In this game, they persevered after losing their kicker Harrison Butker. While the Colts couldn’t get Rodrigo Blankenship to perform at all in Week 1 the Chiefs had Justin Reid, a safety, step up and handle two extra point attempts (making one) and kickoff duties.
The Chiefs’ next game was even more impressive. The Chargers are a force to be reckoned with and a strong division rival of Kansas City. After falling behind early the team rallied back in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 points to edge past Los Angeles 27-24. Patrick Mahomes stood tall in the pocket withstanding pressure from a strong defensive front including Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. While the Colts couldn’t get pressure on Trevor Lawrence, the Chargers did get pressure on Mahomes but he was able to excel, only being sacked once, and scored two touchdowns.
Kansas City has made do with what they have in the receiving core, and with Mahomes at the helm, everyone plays better. After trading away Tyreek Hill, many thought the offense would suffer. Instead, Travis Kelce has stepped up to be the lead receiver. They also now have three capable wide receivers that Mahomes can spread the ball out to. All three are around the same stats leading defenses to question who they should focus on outside of Kelce.
If for some miraculous reason the Colts were able to get out to an early lead don’t expect it to last. Mahomes is a magician in the pocket and has a knack for picking apart defenses. The rest of the team is ready to step up and match the elevated play of Mahomes. Their defense has been stellar as well, containing two top quarterbacks. While Indy had hopes for a title run, Kansas City looks ready to do it again.