Despite putting up a heroic effort in a game few thought they could win, the Indianapolis Colts dropped their second game of the season, and ninth consecutive, dating back to 2025 in an overtime thriller against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.
There were so many close calls and “what ifs,” but in the end, the results were the same for Shane Steichen. Whether this is a sign of better things to come or merely another frustrating failure for a snakebit team, time will have to tell.
Tonight, we can safely say several things. Some good, some bad. It was gratifying to see several players who did not look very good in Week 1 play better on Sunday. Contending with multiple key injuries, some little-known backups were thrust into high-pressure situations, and though they were not perfect, they mostly acquitted themselves well.
Seven takeaways from the Indianapolis Colts' Week 2 loss in Kansas City
We might say the same thing about the coaches. After an opening day in which the team barely looked as if it had prepared, things were better in Week 2. Playing in Kansas City is never easy, and the Colts did not seem to let the noise and the atmosphere get to them.
They were called for five penalties (accepted penalties, that is – there were a couple others that were declined) totaling thirty yards. In a very hostile environment, that’s the sign of a team that is prepared. But a team that still lost the game.
The defense was better than in Week 1
Sure, it would have been hard for Lou Anarumo’s men to have been worse than they were against the Ravens last week. But there were marked improvements in several areas. The team did not look as disorganized in the back end. Perhaps shifting play-calling responsibilities to linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and away from safety Cam Bynum helped with logistics.
And the pass rush was better. Again, they did not have a high bar to clear, but the Colts often got decent pressure on Patrick Mahomes, rushing four linemen. They gave up 27 points in regulation, and one of Kansas City’s scores came after a turnover set the Chiefs up in the red zone. That could have been enough to win.
But the defense still isn’t actually good
But of course, they didn’t win, and some numbers remained ugly. Anarumo’s charges surrendered over 500 yards on the night. True, some of that came in extra time, but still, for the game, Indianapolis allowed 6.7 yards per play. The worst defenses in the NFL last season only gave up 6.2 yards per play.
They had trouble tackling Kenneth Walker. The edges lost containment at crucial moments. Both Arden Key and JT Tuimoloau ran themselves out of vitally important plays. And their linebacking play, though somewhat better than last week, remained a major problem.
They missed too many tackles, or else made those tackles too far downfield, and the Colts' linebackers still have not shown they can cover anyone in the middle of the field.
The team showed real character
Steichen had his team fighting throughout. They came out strong. The offense bounced back after an early interception put them in a hole with three straight scoring drives. They battled through injuries to key personnel throughout.
When Alec Pierce went out, Josh Downs stepped up. When Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner both missed time, Cam Taylor-Britt and Kapena Gushiken made good plays in relief.
Play calling let them down at key moments
For the most part, Shane Steichen had a very good plan of attack. He opened in 12 and 13 personnel and stuck with it for much of the game. He stuck to the run, but took his shots downfield.
Still, the coach and offensive play caller made a couple of decisions late that did the team no favors. In overtime, three straight runs against a stacked box yielded just two yards and stonewalled whatever momentum they had gained from Daniel Jones’ deep shot to Laquon Treadwell.
The announcers on television were practically begging for a play-action try against a defense that was selling out to stop Jonathan Taylor. It’s hard to fault Steichen too much for giving the ball to his best player. But the decision to kick the tying field goal late in overtime was a disaster. I doubt there were many people watching who could not predict exactly what would happen next.
And what was expected – Patrick Mahomes setting up a game-winning field goal – is exactly what did come to pass. Trying to convert a fourth-and-eight in overtime would have been a low-percentage play, but you simply cannot give the ball back to Mahomes at that point. Or has Steichen not been watching the Chiefs play over the last nine years?
Keenan Allen is not the answer
Allen made one catch for five yards. It was a very good catch, and those were important yards. Still, on the whole, the veteran was more of a liability than an asset. He was beaten to the ball on KC’s early interception.
And he could not hold onto several other throws. Five targets… one catch. That simply is not good enough. And with Alec Pierce potentially out for a while, it does not bode well for the future. Perhaps we will see more of Deion Burks going forward.
12 and 13 personnel need to become a bigger part of the offense
If Pierce does miss significant time, Steichen needs to reimagine his offense. Aside from Josh Down, Indy has no healthy wideout who can put fear into a defense. That means leaning on the run and getting more blockers in front of Jonathan Taylor.
The Colts were in either 12 or 13 personnel for almost all of their opening touchdown drive. With Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, and Andrew Ogletree, Indy has good blockers who can also catch passes. Steichen needs to lean into this alignment more and more. It will bolster the run and provide plenty of opportunity for play-action shots downfield.
The Colts had several heroes on the night
Indy’s best players stepped up in a big way. Danel Jones stood in the pocket in the face of the blitz and delivered quality throws despite taking hits. Josh Downs made a lot of big catches with Pierce out and Allen mostly invisible. And of course, Jonathan Taylor and the entire offensive line led the charge. On defense, veteran DeForest Buckner reminded us he still has plenty of football in him.
But it would be nice if the list of heroes included a few newcomers.
In Week 3, Indy opens AFC South competition when they host the Houston Texans. Both teams are 0-2, so someone should walk out with their first win of the season.
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