The Indianapolis Colts beat the Kansas City Chiefs by lining up and ramming the ball down their collective throats at Arrowhead Stadium.
Indianapolis didn’t win the turnover battle. It got hosed on a pair of comically-bad calls. Half the defense was injured.
Want to know how the Colts beat the previously-unbeaten Chiefs anyway? They lined up and dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Patrick Mahomes spent most of the night dealing with pressure or hoping his injured left ankle would loosen up. The former was relentless and the latter never had a chance to happen. The Chiefs were without left tackle Eric Fisher and it showed, as Cam Erving did his best impression of a turnstile all night.
However, give the Colts credit where it’s due. Coming into the game, Kansas City had allowed a measly three sacks all season. On Sunday night, Indianapolis dragged Mahomes down on four occasions.
Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett barely had a grass stain, not being sacked at all. The Indy line headlined by the left side of Anthony Castonzo and Quenton Nelson was obscene, paving the way for 180 rushing yards. Oh yeah, the Colts enjoyed a time of possession of 37:15while notching 25 first downs.
Indianapolis now gets a bye week and time to heal. Hopefully, upon return to practice, linebacker Darius Leonard, safeties Malik Hooker and Clayton Geathers, and receiver Parris Campbell can all be back on the field.
If the Colts get healthy, they have the potential to be one of the most dangerous teams in the AFC, including New England and Kansas City. The quarterback is limited but effective, and the coaching staff takes a backseat to few if any.
Indianapolis earned respect on a national stage on Sunday.
Don’t expect it to be the last time.