Run Defense
 

Admitting up front that past performance is not an indicator of future results...

Houston's run defense was #3 in the league this year. They gave up an average of 3.4 yards/att and 82.7 yards/game.

Kansas City's run defense was #27 this year. They gave up 5.0 yards/att, and 132.1 yards/game. They also gave up 19 rushing TDs, which tied for 3rd worst in the league.

We all know about Kansas City's explosive offense. Given the emergence and growing dominance of Indy's O-line, I'm hoping we see Reich use the tactic that was so often employed against Peyton...namely a clock bleeding, ball-controlling running attack that limits Mahome's possessions.

Of course, if I can do 30 seconds of research online to find this info, Kansas City is well aware of it, and it has certainly been attempted against them by other teams. They'll be expecting it, and Reich has shown himself to be a masterful play-caller and may just go with 4-wide deep-balling to catch them off guard.

At any rate, I've enjoyed this season more than any other since the heyday of 18 to 88, 87, and 83. Especially the way the O-line is mauling.

I am already pumped for next weekend!

Would be a real shame if a blizzard were to hit KC this week and reduce this game to the best OL/ground game. Real shame, guys.

Isn't bizarre as a longtime Colt's fan to think that might give us the advantage. We are living in strange times my friends.

I think all the pressure is on KC for this game. KC is a quick strike offense I think they need to come in expecting to score and score a lot. Mahomes is a lot more accurate than Watson and won’t have a problem hitting the gaps in the zone that Watson was missing yesterday. I would say long drives would be just as important to keeping our defense fresh and hopefully able to mount a 4th quarter stand.

Strange and beautiful

Pretty much my thought as well. It’s possible for the Colts to beat KC in a track meet, but I don’t think it’s probable. Especially will a limited TY. Running the ball and shortening the game with some long sustained drives has all kinds of benefits for the Colts. Keeps the D fresh, helps keep the crowd in check, keeps their pass rush off balance and may make their offense impatient. Huge game for Mack if he wants to prove he should be the Colts RB1 going forward. He’s certainly shown the ability at times but is maddingly inconsistent. Most games he has the luxury of being the gravy. This is a game where he needs to be the main course. I’m cautiously optimistic he’s up for the challenge.

I'd like to see a breakdown of Colts per game rushing with Kelly in v Kelly out since week seven, when this O-line really came together. Or maybe just a per game average when they have all five of the current starters in there. I tried to find a list of which games he has missed. Granted, I didn't try very hard.

Seems to me that having Castonzo come back helped, and they had a nice 'run' going until #78 went out.

And yesterday, well we all saw that.

Holder shared it a few weeks back. It was something silly like +1.5 ypc with Kelly.

Like Houston, KC thrives on the big play while the Colts D limits the big play. Big concern for me is Kelce. Colts LBs and Geathers better come to play because he could be the difference.

If the Colts LBs will be the difference, I'm sure Leonard is up to that challenge.