Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 3 Critical matchups in Divisional Round

If Andy Reid’s electrifying Kansas City Chiefs were not already anticipating their toughest matchup of the season in the Divisional Round, they most certainly are now.

The Indianapolis Colts delivered further warning signs of imminent NFL dominance as they purred to a 21-7 Wild Card victory over the Houston Texans. Needless to suggest a Colts team capable of reviving a 1-5 start to the campaign to finish 10-6 present a fierce challenge this weekend.

Frank Reich’s team heads to the Divisional Round where they will face the AFC’s top seed, the Kansas City Chiefs, and their high-powered offense. The Colts will be looking to pull off another upset.

Here’s a look at three potentially defining matchups at Arrowhead.

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Colts secondary vs. Travis Kelce

Doubts continue to linger over this youthful and fearless Colts defense, despite its impressive emergence under the guidance of Matt Eberflus and the proven playmaking ability of the league’s leading tackle Darius Leonard.

Saturday’s victory over the Texans became an intriguing insight into their heavy use of zone defense as a means of thwarting the deep pass and forcing Deshaun Watson to read the coverage. It proved both effective in disrupting Houston’s already stuttering rhythm, as well as knocking seconds off the clock late on.

Tight end Travis Kelce undoubtedly warrants a mention in every team meeting prior to a clash with the Chiefs. Perhaps more so than ever on this occasion. While it may be designed to help the Colts contain Tyreek Hill, zone coverage runs the risk of affording Kelce the space to excel underneath as he has done so often this season. The sooner Kelce’s presence demands defensive adjustments, the greater the threat Hill begins to pose.

Kelce enters the game with 103 regular season receptions for 1,136 yards and 10 touchdowns, whilst Hill boasts 87 catches for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns. To sum up the Chiefs’ depth and flexibility on offense, they are the only team to occupy two spots among the top 10 players for receiving yards.

Marlon Mack vs. Chiefs D

Chris Ballard and the Colts need not concern themselves with the availability of Le’Veon Bell on the market. They already have a gem at running back in Marlon Mack. The South Florida product was exceptional in the win over the Texans, rushing for 148 yards and one touchdown off 24 carries.

Mack’s production gives head coach Frank Reich a valuable option in his bid to keep quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the sidelines. The beauty to successfully running the ball regularly is not only combatting Mahomes’ quick-scoring ability, but also the range of options Andrew Luck is capable of exploiting when the time is right to go play-action.

The Chiefs themselves face questions on defense having allowed a sixth-highest 2,114 rushing yards in the regular season. Utilizing Mack, of course, calls upon the Colts’ offensive line to maintain the same aggression and intensity that has allowed just four sacks in the last five games.

Denico Autry vs. Chiefs offensive line

The Colts offensive line can produce another clinic in the trenches, Luck can enjoy another monster day slinging to his receiving corps, Mack can run for over 100 yards. None of that will matter, though, unless Indianapolis find a way to stop Mahomes.

Eberflus has managed to inspire vast improvement to this defense without really having an elite pass rusher at his disposal. Indianapolis are ranked a respectable 13th in receiving yards conceded with 4,033, but face a Chiefs team with a league-high 50 receiving touchdowns to their name.

Defensive lineman Denico Autry will be a key figure in denying Mahomes the freedom to manoeuvre in the pocket. The former Oakland Raider led the team with nine sacks during the regular season after signing a $17.8 million during free agency back in March. His versatility to compete with power on the interior as well as use his agility to burst from the edge makes him vital in addressing Mahomes’ threat on the move.