In a crucial game, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 in overtime, keeping Chiefs Kingdom’s postseason hopes alive.
Let’s look at how Kansas City used its players.
Starters (offensive): WR Xavier Worthy, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, LT Josh Simmons, LG Kingsley Suamataia, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith, RT Jawaan Taylor, TE Travis Kelce, WR Rashee Rice, QB Patrick Mahomes and RB Kareem Hunt.
Starters (defensive): DE George Karlaftis, DT Derrick Nnadi, DT Chris Jones, DE Michael Danna, LB Drue Tranquill, LB Nick Bolton, DB Chamarri Conner, CB Christian Roland-Wallace, CB Trent McDuffie, CB Jaylen Watson and S Bryan Cook.
Did not play: QB Gardner Minshew
Inactive: CB Joshua Williams, RB Isiah Pacheco, WR Jalen Royals, TE Jared Wiley, RB Elijah Mitchell and OL Wanya Morris.
The big takeaway
The Chiefs recognized that this matchup with the Colts would be a slugfest likely won by the more physical team. On both sides of the ball, the running game was crucial for Kansas City to stay in the fight — despite trailing for the entirety of regulation.
On offense, the Chiefs were clearly committed to chipping away at the pass-minded Indianapolis defense with running back Kareem Hunt; he set a career high with 30 rushing attempts. As a unit, run plays were called at a higher rate (45%) than the previous two games against the Denver Broncos (23%) and the Buffalo Bills (34%) — despite similar game scripts.
The dedication to running was the right formula against Colts’ defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. His strategy to prioritize coverage softened his ability to stuff handoffs. It led to long drives that chewed up game clock and tired out Indianapolis defenders. That helped the passing windows open up in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Kansas City ran 92 plays total, 15 more than any other game this season. Overtime contributed to the margin — but even if the game ended in regulation, it still would have been a season high.
Offensive takeaways
The Chiefs’ commitment to the run game did not feature tight end Noah Gray; he was on the field for just 34% of the offensive snaps. It was a significantly lower rate than any other game this season, although it’s worth noting that Gray was playing hampered, then entered concussion protocol after a heroic reception in the fourth quarter.
In Gray’s place, the Chiefs relied on wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster like a second tight end in certain formations. He was on the field for 59% of the team’s run plays, the highest mark he has recorded since wide receiver Rashee Rice returned from suspension. His strengths as a blocker are allowing the team to run the ball without sacrificing receiving personnel.
The running mindset shifted the Chiefs’ depth chart at wide receiver for this game: Smith-Schuster had the third-most snaps of the position, while Hollywood Brown placed fourth with just 35% of the offensive snaps.
Defensive takeaways
Behind a stifling run defense, the Chiefs’ back end had one of its most impressive games in coverage. It featured a rotation of cornerbacks that was tighter than it has been all season: Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson were the only outside cornerbacks deployed. After nine snaps last week in his season debut, cornerback Kristian Fulton was reduced to just one defensive play.
Fulton’s return to the bench for the afternoon was not followed by playing time for rookie Nohl Williams, who has been restricted to special teams for two consecutive weeks. The first-year player has flashed at times in coverage, but Williams is clearly working to earn more trust from the coaching staff.
Data
Offense
| Offense | All | Pass | Run | |||
| Total | 92 | (100%) | 51 | (100%) | 41 | (100%) |
| Creed Humphrey | 92 | (100%) | 51 | (100%) | 41 | (100%) |
| Patrick Mahomes | 92 | (100%) | 51 | (100%) | 41 | (100%) |
| Josh Simmons | 92 | (100%) | 51 | (100%) | 41 | (100%) |
| Kingsley Suamataia | 92 | (100%) | 51 | (100%) | 41 | (100%) |
| Jawaan Taylor | 92 | (100%) | 51 | (100%) | 41 | (100%) |
| Travis Kelce | 80 | (87%) | 48 | (94%) | 32 | (78%) |
| Xavier Worthy | 71 | (77%) | 42 | (82%) | 29 | (71%) |
| Kareem Hunt | 66 | (72%) | 33 | (65%) | 33 | (80%) |
| Rashee Rice | 59 | (64%) | 37 | (73%) | 22 | (54%) |
| Mike Caliendo | 56 | (61%) | 30 | (59%) | 26 | (63%) |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 44 | (48%) | 20 | (39%) | 24 | (59%) |
| Trey Smith | 37 | (40%) | 21 | (41%) | 16 | (39%) |
| Marquise Brown | 32 | (35%) | 22 | (43%) | 10 | (24%) |
| Noah Gray | 29 | (32%) | 15 | (29%) | 14 | (34%) |
| Tyquan Thornton | 23 | (25%) | 15 | (29%) | 8 | (20%) |
| Brashard Smith | 18 | (20%) | 11 | (22%) | 7 | (17%) |
| Robert Tonyan | 15 | (16%) | 3 | (6%) | 12 | (29%) |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | 15 | (16%) | 8 | (16%) | 7 | (17%) |
| Jaylon Moore | 5 | (5%) | 0 | (0%) | 5 | (12%) |
| Hunter Nourzad | 2 | (2%) | 1 | (2%) | 1 | (2%) |
Defense
| Defense | All | Pass | Run | |||
| Total | 50 | (100%) | 31 | (100%) | 19 | (100%) |
| Nick Bolton | 50 | (100%) | 31 | (100%) | 19 | (100%) |
| Chamarri Conner | 50 | (100%) | 31 | (100%) | 19 | (100%) |
| Bryan Cook | 50 | (100%) | 31 | (100%) | 19 | (100%) |
| Trent McDuffie | 50 | (100%) | 31 | (100%) | 19 | (100%) |
| Jaylen Watson | 50 | (100%) | 31 | (100%) | 19 | (100%) |
| Drue Tranquill | 48 | (96%) | 30 | (97%) | 18 | (95%) |
| Chris Jones | 44 | (88%) | 29 | (94%) | 15 | (79%) |
| George Karlaftis | 42 | (84%) | 26 | (84%) | 16 | (84%) |
| Leo Chenal | 27 | (54%) | 17 | (55%) | 10 | (53%) |
| Charles Omenihu | 27 | (54%) | 18 | (58%) | 9 | (47%) |
| Ashton Gillotte | 21 | (42%) | 13 | (42%) | 8 | (42%) |
| Christian Roland-Wallace | 21 | (42%) | 14 | (45%) | 7 | (37%) |
| Michael Danna | 17 | (34%) | 9 | (29%) | 8 | (42%) |
| Mike Pennel | 15 | (30%) | 9 | (29%) | 6 | (32%) |
| Jaden Hicks | 14 | (28%) | 8 | (26%) | 6 | (32%) |
| Derrick Nnadi | 14 | (28%) | 7 | (23%) | 7 | (37%) |
| Jerry Tillery | 9 | (18%) | 5 | (16%) | 4 | (21%) |
| Kristian Fulton | 1 | (2%) | 1 | (3%) | 0 | (0%) |
Special Teams
| Special Teams | Snaps | |
| Total | 29 | (100%) |
| Leo Chenal | 24 | (83%) |
| Nohl Williams | 22 | (76%) |
| Jack Cochrane | 21 | (72%) |
| Jaden Hicks | 21 | (72%) |
| Kevin Knowles II | 21 | (72%) |
| Jeff Bassa | 17 | (59%) |
| Cooper McDonald | 17 | (59%) |
| Christian Roland-Wallace | 13 | (45%) |
| Harrison Butker | 11 | (38%) |
| Bryan Cook | 9 | (31%) |
| Noah Gray | 9 | (31%) |
| Nikko Remigio | 9 | (31%) |
| Matt Araiza | 8 | (28%) |
| James Winchester | 8 | (28%) |
| Nick Bolton | 7 | (24%) |
| Michael Danna | 7 | (24%) |
| Ashton Gillotte | 7 | (24%) |
| George Karlaftis | 7 | (24%) |
| Derrick Nnadi | 7 | (24%) |
| Jerry Tillery | 7 | (24%) |
| Robert Tonyan | 7 | (24%) |
| Drue Tranquill | 7 | (24%) |
| Chamarri Conner | 6 | (21%) |
| Kristian Fulton | 6 | (21%) |
| Mike Caliendo | 5 | (17%) |
| Creed Humphrey | 5 | (17%) |
| Jaylon Moore | 5 | (17%) |
| Hunter Nourzad | 5 | (17%) |
| Josh Simmons | 5 | (17%) |
| Kingsley Suamataia | 5 | (17%) |
| Tyquan Thornton | 4 | (14%) |
| Jawaan Taylor | 3 | (10%) |
| Trey Smith | 2 | (7%) |
| Trent McDuffie | 1 | (3%) |
| Jaylen Watson | 1 | (3%) |
All Snaps
| All Snaps | Off | Def | ST | Total | ||||
| Total | 92 | (100%) | 50 | (100%) | 29 | (100%) | 171 | (100%) |
| Matt Araiza | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 8 | (28%) | 8 | (5%) |
| Jeff Bassa | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 17 | (59%) | 17 | (10%) |
| Nick Bolton | 0 | (0%) | 50 | (100%) | 7 | (24%) | 57 | (33%) |
| Marquise Brown | 32 | (35%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 32 | (19%) |
| Harrison Butker | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 11 | (38%) | 11 | (6%) |
| Mike Caliendo | 56 | (61%) | 0 | (0%) | 5 | (17%) | 61 | (36%) |
| Leo Chenal | 0 | (0%) | 27 | (54%) | 24 | (83%) | 51 | (30%) |
| Jack Cochrane | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 21 | (72%) | 21 | (12%) |
| Chamarri Conner | 0 | (0%) | 50 | (100%) | 6 | (21%) | 56 | (33%) |
| Bryan Cook | 0 | (0%) | 50 | (100%) | 9 | (31%) | 59 | (35%) |
| Michael Danna | 0 | (0%) | 17 | (34%) | 7 | (24%) | 24 | (14%) |
| Kristian Fulton | 0 | (0%) | 1 | (2%) | 6 | (21%) | 7 | (4%) |
| Ashton Gillotte | 0 | (0%) | 21 | (42%) | 7 | (24%) | 28 | (16%) |
| Noah Gray | 29 | (32%) | 0 | (0%) | 9 | (31%) | 38 | (22%) |
| Jaden Hicks | 0 | (0%) | 14 | (28%) | 21 | (72%) | 35 | (20%) |
| Creed Humphrey | 92 | (100%) | 0 | (0%) | 5 | (17%) | 97 | (57%) |
| Kareem Hunt | 66 | (72%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 66 | (39%) |
| Chris Jones | 0 | (0%) | 44 | (88%) | 0 | (0%) | 44 | (26%) |
| George Karlaftis | 0 | (0%) | 42 | (84%) | 7 | (24%) | 49 | (29%) |
| Travis Kelce | 80 | (87%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 80 | (47%) |
| Kevin Knowles II | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 21 | (72%) | 21 | (12%) |
| Patrick Mahomes | 92 | (100%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 92 | (54%) |
| Cooper McDonald | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 17 | (59%) | 17 | (10%) |
| Trent McDuffie | 0 | (0%) | 50 | (100%) | 1 | (3%) | 51 | (30%) |
| Jaylon Moore | 5 | (5%) | 0 | (0%) | 5 | (17%) | 10 | (6%) |
| Derrick Nnadi | 0 | (0%) | 14 | (28%) | 7 | (24%) | 21 | (12%) |
| Hunter Nourzad | 2 | (2%) | 0 | (0%) | 5 | (17%) | 7 | (4%) |
| Charles Omenihu | 0 | (0%) | 27 | (54%) | 0 | (0%) | 27 | (16%) |
| Mike Pennel | 0 | (0%) | 15 | (30%) | 0 | (0%) | 15 | (9%) |
| Nikko Remigio | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 9 | (31%) | 9 | (5%) |
| Rashee Rice | 59 | (64%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 59 | (35%) |
| Christian Roland-Wallace | 0 | (0%) | 21 | (42%) | 13 | (45%) | 34 | (20%) |
| Josh Simmons | 92 | (100%) | 0 | (0%) | 5 | (17%) | 97 | (57%) |
| Brashard Smith | 18 | (20%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 18 | (11%) |
| Trey Smith | 37 | (40%) | 0 | (0%) | 2 | (7%) | 39 | (23%) |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 44 | (48%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 44 | (26%) |
| Kingsley Suamataia | 92 | (100%) | 0 | (0%) | 5 | (17%) | 97 | (57%) |
| Jawaan Taylor | 92 | (100%) | 0 | (0%) | 3 | (10%) | 95 | (56%) |
| Tyquan Thornton | 23 | (25%) | 0 | (0%) | 4 | (14%) | 27 | (16%) |
| Jerry Tillery | 0 | (0%) | 9 | (18%) | 7 | (24%) | 16 | (9%) |
| Robert Tonyan | 15 | (16%) | 0 | (0%) | 7 | (24%) | 22 | (13%) |
| Drue Tranquill | 0 | (0%) | 48 | (96%) | 7 | (24%) | 55 | (32%) |
| Jaylen Watson | 0 | (0%) | 50 | (100%) | 1 | (3%) | 51 | (30%) |
| Nohl Williams | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 22 | (76%) | 22 | (13%) |
| James Winchester | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 8 | (28%) | 8 | (5%) |
| Xavier Worthy | 71 | (77%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 71 | (42%) |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | 15 | (16%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 15 | (9%) |
Editor’s Note: Arrowhead Pride obtains snap count data from the NFL’s game stats and information system, which allows us to break out snap counts by run or pass on offensive and defensive plays. Because GSIS data ignores plays that were nullified by penalties, total offensive and defensive snap counts will vary from other sources, which get their data from NFL Gamebooks
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