The Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs have been running in different NFL social circles over the last seven or so years. The Chiefs have made many deep playoff runs and hoisted three Lombardi trophies over that time. Meanwhile, the Colts have been treading water and searching for an identity. Just like all pendulums, this one appears to be swinging back in the other direction as these teams are nearing each other again. The Chiefs are extremely formidable still, and FanDuel Sportsbook sees it that way as well. The Colts are solid underdogs in this one with a +3.5-point spread.
The money line comes in at +168 while the over/under is 49.5.
The Colts are coming off a huge win in Berlin. Having lost to Pittsburgh the week before, staring down the barrel of a loss to the less than stellar Falcons would have been devastating. Luckily, the Colts rode the horse they came in on with Jonathan Taylor putting up a career highlight performance. Nearly 300-yards, three touchdowns, and a franchise leading rushing title were enough to put the Colts over the top in overtime. The bye week came at a great time. The hope is that it allows Charvarius Ward to get healthy, provides more time for Sauce Gardner to get acclimated, and gets fresh bodies on that defensive front.
The Chiefs faced a tough outing against the Broncos on the road. It was a slugfest as neither team could pull away and both struggled to find the endzone early on. Tied 6-6 at the half, both offenses picked things up and the score was knotted once again late in the fourth. Bo Nix got his team into field goal position and the 35-yard make from Wil Lutz moved the Broncos to 9-2. The Chiefs now find themselves in uncharted territory at 5-5. The AFC West is slipping from their grasp as this gives the Broncos a stranglehold on the division. To maintain any pace in the West and AFC overall, the Chiefs have to find a way to win on Sunday against the Colts.
If the playoffs started today, the Chiefs would be on the outside looking in as they sit in ninth. A win could vault them to or near the seventh seed, but it would still be a long road. With a loss on Sunday their playoff chances could be done. For the Colts, they are trying to maintain their control over the top spot in the conference. With wins from the Patriots and Broncos, they have now technically fallen behind and need the win to retake first place. It would also send a strong signal to the league that the Colts can beat good teams on the road. A lot is at stake for both teams. Expect it to be a good one.
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