The Indianapolis Colts are coming off possibly their biggest win of the season. The Kansas City Chiefs have won two games in a row. This is a huge game for both teams considering the positions that they’re in right now. Even though the Chiefs are 4-2, they currently sit in third place in the AFC West. The Colts are at 3-4, but are only one game behind the division leading Houston Texans. Now let’s look at the Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs Week Eight preview.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs Week Eight Preview
Why the Colts Could Win
Last week, the Colts needed a win to stay in the thick of the race for the AFC South. After beating the Tennessee Titans, the Colts are tied for second place in the division. The entire team might have woken up and realized how poorly they had been playing. There were multiple things that the Colts looked improved in last week. The offensive line played much better. Quarterback Andrew Luck was only sacked two times, after being brought down 23 times in the previous six games. Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton has been on fire the past few weeks. He has 689 receiving yards on the season with four touchdowns.
Luck gives the Colts one of the biggest advantages over the Chiefs in this game. He has more than twice the amount of passing touchdowns and over 500 more yards passing than his counterpart, Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith. Furthermore, the Colts average more total yards (395.1) and points per game (27.7) than the Chiefs (361.2 yards per game, and 22.7 points per game). If the Colts win this game, it will be on the shoulders of their offense. The Colts defense has been one of the worst in the NFL in 2016. They’re giving up 28.6 points per game and 409.6 total yards.
Why the Chiefs Could Win
The Chiefs are currently on an impressive two game winning streak. Two weeks ago, they defeated a good Oakland Raiders team on the road by 16 points. Last week, they dispatched a New Orleans Saints team by the score of 27-21. However, the Chiefs have struggled on the road this season. They are 1-2 away from home this season. A big boost could come in the way of running back Jamaal Charles. He has struggled with injuries this season, but is expected to play on Sunday.
Another big advantage the Chiefs should exploit is the struggling Colts offensive line. Luck has been sacked a league-leading 25 times. The Chiefs’ leader in sacks, linebacker Dee Ford, has the opportunity to add to his total. Furthermore, cornerback Marcus Peters is one of the best young defensive backs in the league. He might be able to minimize the effect of Hilton, and take away the Colts’ biggest weapon at receiver. Opposite of the Colts, if the Chiefs win it will most likely be on the shoulders of their defense.
Prediction
The Chiefs and Colts kick-off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts have the advantage with a 2-1 home record, compared to the Chiefs who are 1-2 on the road. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Colts have a 52.5 percent chance to win this game. However, the Chiefs are currently 2.5 point favorites over the Colts, according to Odds Shark. The Chiefs have been a better team this season, and will fight hard for this game. Yet, it’s hard to believe that Luck and the Colts will not put up a good effort. Every game the Colts have played in this year has come down to the final two minutes to decide a winner.
