Our Kansas City Chiefs represent the elite in the NFL, but they'll once again face an unproven team from an AFC marred in mediocrity. The 2-2 Indianapolis Colts claimed victory against the Titans and Falcons, but they also lost to shaky Chargers in Week 1 and the Raiders last week. Like many teams in KC's conference, I still can't decide if Indy's a playoff team this season or a top-ten draft pick recipient next season.
The Colts rank 19th league-wide in yards per game and 16th in yards allowed.The only objectively strong facet of this Luck-less Colts team is their rushing attack that averages the 7th-most yards per game this season. Unfortunately for them, and for Chiefs fans curious about KC's defense, Marlon Mack's availability is a game-time decision. Mack is practicing with his squad on the field this afternoon, so most are hopeful that he'll play adequately, but any kind of diminished production from him makes a big impact on tonight's game.
With or without a strong Marlon Mack on the field, Chiefs Kingdom will keep a sharp and critical eye on KC's defense tonight. The Chiefs' run-stopping abilities looked suspect throughout the first quarter of the schedule. A lack of big plays from Frank Clark and the rest of Steve Spagnuolo's defense allows fans' fears to endure in Kansas City. This flaw could be heart-breaking for fans when top-shelf teams play the Chiefs, but that's not the case tonight.
While the Colts seem to be great at nothing, KC excels in passing the ball at a nearly historic level. The second-best passing team in the NFL averages 55 fewer yards per game than our Chiefs. Only two AFC teams allow more points this season than the Colts. Without the field-stretching Tyreek Hill or #1 overall draft pick Eric Fisher, the Chiefs are tied with Baltimore entering this week for the highest points-per-game average in the league. It should take more than being maybe above-average to beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead.
I expect Chiefs Kingdom to celebrate long into the crisp Kansas City night after a prime-time victory, but I also know that KC cannot overlook any opponent on their schedule. Each team the Chiefs play this year will be excited to prove themselves against elite competition. Thankfully for Chiefs fans, Andy Reid and his crew won't get caught looking past the Colts, but no statistic available would indicate that Indianapolis has the advantage in tonight's game.
Doug LaCerte writes about Kansas City sports and makes great wine in suburban Kansas City, which usually leaves him too preoccupied to mess with his Facebook or Twitter.
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