Colts vs Chiefs - Rushing

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by rm1369

They certainly need touchdowns and not field goals. I absolutely agree with that. But I think you may be under selling how important limiting the number of possessions likely is. I’d gladly take 27 points and a few less KC offensive possessions. If the Colts get in a track meet with KC I’m not sure 31 points is enough. As potent as the Colts offense is I don’t see “scoring points” as the best way to beat the Chiefs. Making that KC offense press and be overly aggressive against the Colts zone D provides the best opportunity for a win IMO. Especially considering Andy Reid’s history, this being Mahomes first ever playoff game, and the injury to TY. Add in the effects on the crowd and that the KC D’s best attribute is their ability to rush the passer and this should be a game plan that leans very heavily on Mack and the OL pounding defenders into the grass.

I completely agree with the bold. What I fail to understand is how "limiting # of KC possessions" --> "Maholmes becomes a non-factor."

If the Colts successfully limit KC to something like 7 possessions and they score 5 TDs, KC still wins the game. What you mean to say is that the Colts need to limit possessions and be more efficient than KC in those limited possessions. Simply limiting possessions doesn't make Maholmes a non-factor.

[Oldcolt]

When healthy (like they are now) this offensive line has been completely dominating. Kravitz pointed out that when all 5 starter are in they average 150 yard a game and 5 yards per carry. They have also given up zero, yes zero, sacks in the last 6 games they have played together as a unit.The other team knows that the Colts plan to totally disrespect them and there is apparently nothing they can do about it. It's amazing and wonderful to watch. We don't just have a punchers chance (sorry Sherck) we are the better team. Until someone scorches this defense I am officially on their bandwagon. How many times do they have to dominate games before we stop not believing how good this defense really is? If Parcels was right and you are what the record says you are this is as good a football team as anyone over the last 11 games. The front 7 is incredibly athletic and disruptive and even though I keep thinking that the names on the back of our defensive backs suck, their play says otherwise. We may not take it all, but there is no team that the Colts need to fear. They are the ones to be feared this time around and they know it. All this and I didn't even mention the coaching staff. I'm pumped and set up for a huge fall but I don't give a shit. I'm all in with this team.

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

I completely agree with the bold. What I fail to understand is how "limiting # of KC possessions" --> "Maholmes becomes a non-factor."

If the Colts successfully limit KC to something like 7 possessions and they score 5 TDs, KC still wins the game. What you mean to say is that the Colts need to limit possessions and be more efficient than KC in those limited possessions. Simply limiting possessions doesn't make Maholmes a non-factor.

Ok, my bad - I miss understood. And to be clear the quote about making Mahomes a non factor wasn’t from me. I agree with your point. It makes Mahomes an even bigger factor IMO by putting additional (self imposed) pressure on him and forcing him to be efficient and mistake free. It’s a question of whether or not he can handle that pressure in his first playoff game.

[FatDT]

I may be overconfident but KC doesn't really scare me.

They beat 2 playoff teams this year. They have 3, maybe 3.5 quality wins if you want to give them a half point for beating the Browns the week after Hue got fired.

Mahomes last 4 games were good, but not superstar-level like earlier. And it wasn't that KC had nothing to play for, the Chargers were right there with them for the division.

This will be Mahomes first ever playoff game. 1st time QBs don't usually do well in those circumstances.

Everyone in KC knows the history of the Colts ruining their playoff hopes. The Arrowhead crowd will be nervous as shit.

KC has some stars on defense but they had a soft schedule and still didn't play well.

Andy Reid's postseason flops are legendary.

The Colts dominated the Texans without playing their best football for half the game. I don't think we should realistically be favored, but I don't think the KC offense is as potent now as they seemed earlier in the season. Especially without Hunt.

[southside asshole]

We will not find a way to make Mahomes a non-factor. He is a superhero QB like Luck, Manning, Brady, etc. He may be unproven in the playoffs, but he's going to affect the game more than anyone else in a red jersey.

People shit on KC's defense, but they are 1st in sacks and forced fumbles. Their secondary is weak, so getting the ball out of Luck's hands quickly to skill players in space is probably our path to sustained drives, which I completely agree is the best possible gameplan from where I sit.

I want to see Mack and Hines involved early and often.

With Hilton playing hurt and Ebron still not being a reliable possession target between the 20s, Hines's utility as a slot receiver is going to be critical to moving the chains. He was invisible against Houston because we didn't need him in that gameplan, and I have to wonder if that wasn't by design. I think Reich is cooking up something good for him this weekend.

As far as our defense, I admit I haven't watched much KC football this year. I'm not sure what Mahomes's tendencies are when facing the rush. What I've observed does show he has an uncanny ability to make accurate throws to multiple targets while evading rushers. I worry that even a very disciplined zone scheme, with deep safeties and short-throw concessions, is not going to be enough to get him off the field. We will need to get to him and hit him. Squeezing the pocket and forcing him to throw isn't going to get it done. We'll probably have to rely on some pass rush wrinkles with safety and LB blitzes so someone can get a free path and actually make a sack.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by southside asshole

We will not find a way to make Mahomes a non-factor. He is a superhero QB like Luck, Manning, Brady, etc. He may be unproven in the playoffs, but he's going to affect the game more than anyone else in a red jersey.

People shit on KC's defense, but they are 1st in sacks and forced fumbles. Their secondary is weak, so getting the ball out of Luck's hands quickly to skill players in space is probably our path to sustained drives, which I completely agree are the best possible gameplan from where I sit.

I want to see Mack and Hines involved early and often.

With Hilton playing hurt and Ebron still not being a reliable possession target between the 20s, Hines's utility as a slot receiver is going to be critical to moving the chains. He was invisible against Houston because we didn't need him in that gameplan, and I have to wonder if that wasn't by design. I think Reich is cooking up something good for him this weekend.

Chris Jones is a stud and just a tick behind Aaron Donald. Hopefully the line can keep him in check.

[sherck]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

Chris Jones is a stud and just a tick behind Aaron Donald. Hopefully the line can keep him in check.

Honestly, I prefer an inside threat to an outside threat.

Nelson / Kelly / Glowinski are working magic in the middle. Luck knows how to climb the pocket to escape. It is the outside stud rusher whom Luck seems to have the most problems with.

We will see. Is it Saturday yet?

Walk Worthy,

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by FatDT

I may be overconfident but KC doesn't really scare me.

They beat 2 playoff teams this year. They have 3, maybe 3.5 quality wins if you want to give them a half point for beating the Browns the week after Hue got fired.

Mahomes last 4 games were good, but not superstar-level like earlier. And it wasn't that KC had nothing to play for, the Chargers were right there with them for the division.

This will be Mahomes first ever playoff game. 1st time QBs don't usually do well in those circumstances.

Everyone in KC knows the history of the Colts ruining their playoff hopes. The Arrowhead crowd will be nervous as shit.

KC has some stars on defense but they had a soft schedule and still didn't play well.

Andy Reid's postseason flops are legendary.

The Colts dominated the Texans without playing their best football for half the game. I don't think we should realistically be favored, but I don't think the KC offense is as potent now as they seemed earlier in the season. Especially without Hunt.

We'll find out on Saturday one way or another, but I strongly disagree with this take. KC is really damn good and they pose a major test for this defense with Kelce, misdirection, and playaction. As much as we make out of Maholmes being a first year starter, KC is going to target the Colts first year starters at LB. Their lack of familiarity with KC could be the deciding factor.

Unless Maholmes makes a few mistakes, I don't see how the Colts keep KC below 30 points. At that point, it comes down to whether or not the Colts offense can keep up.

[1965southpaw]

Agree that effective running game and limiting KC offensive time of possession is key.....also I'd add to stat that not only did they only beat 2 playoff teams, they lost to 4 so they are vulnerable against better teams. Too lazy to look this up and since I haven't seen KC play, not sure but I think I've heard that he has a large number of interceptions to go along with his star wars passing/TD stats????

If true, another key for this game is our D's ability to get one or two turnovers....I'd love to see our D get 7 to 14 points to go along with 21+ points on offense. Go Colts!!!!

[Pez]

Originally Posted by 1965southpaw

Agree that effective running game and limiting KC offensive time of possession is key.....also I'd add to stat that not only did they only beat 2 playoff teams, they lost to 4 so they are vulnerable against better teams. Too lazy to look this up and since I haven't seen KC play, not sure but I think I've heard that he has a large number of interceptions to go along with his star wars passing/TD stats????

If true, another key for this game is our D's ability to get one or two turnovers....I'd love to see our D get 7 to 14 points to go along with 21+ points on offense. Go Colts!!!!

Not really...

Mahomes has 50 TDs, 12 INTs and 66% comp %

Luck has 39 TDs, 15 INTs, 67.3% comp %