8-3 after a lackluster performance by an offense that despite putting up record numbers on the first half of the season has been sputtering as of late. This one hurts because the Colts were close to beating a potential playoff rival away from home, but they just could not finish, and in the end it seemed like they just ran out of gas which is weird for a team coming off a bye-week. We are entering the deciding stages of the year, and it is not nice doing so with a loss, but the team will once again have to bounce back quickly as a key divisional game against the Texans looms in the horizon.
MVP of the Game: Lou Anarumo
The defense was understandably gassed near the end of the game, as the offense could just not sustain any sort of drive, but holding the Chiefs to 20 points in regulation playing at Kansas City is not an easy task. The defense certainly gave the team a chance to win, and had the offense managed to get that final nail in the coffin they would have. I love what Lou is bringing to the defense, especially after so many years of Gus Bradley’s vanilla rushing schemes. Laiatu Latu got yet another interception dropping into coverage, the two cornerbacks had really good games (Ward struggled a bit coming back from his second concussion of the season which is understandable), and Mahomes was consistently pressured. They did this while missing perhaps the defense most important player in DeForest Buckner.
Dud of the Game (The Grigsy): Shane Steichen
Coming off a bye-week, there is no excuse for the offensive failure in the second half of the game. This Chiefs’ defense is not as scary as it used to be, and they managed to shut down Jonathan Taylor by loading the box. Steichen had no answer to that and resorted to putting the game in Daniel Jones’ hands, which ended up as expected. Now this is not a knock on Jones, because he played well, but this is not a passing team, and the passing game has been terrible over the past three games, absolutely terrible. Steichen had two weeks to prepare his offense, and it was obvious that opposing defenses where going to try and stop JT. The final four drives of the game were critical, and the offense choked away what would have been a massive win for the team.
Best play of the Game: Latu’s third interception of the season
What a breakout year this has been for the Colts’ edge-rusher, against the Chiefs he got his third interception of the season (!!!), and got himself another sack. After an average rookie year where he showed some flashes, Latu is putting it all together his second season and is clearly enjoying playing under Anarumo, who deploys him in much more creative ways.
Worst play of the Game: Colts’ final four drives of offense
Including the only overtime drive the Colts had, it was four consecutive three and outs. The Chiefs defense had the Colts’ offense figured out by then, and it was bad not only because a score would have essentially sealed the game, but also because no first downs meant that the defense was out of energy by the end of the game and just could not keep up with the Chiefs’ offense.
Best position group: Defensive line
What Anarumo is doing with this group is nothing short of magical. For the first time in quite some time I enjoy watching the Colts play defense. I am giving myself the luxury of considering linebacker Zaire Franklin an honorary defensive linemen, with the way Lou is deploying him. They got consistent pressure on Mahomes, and held the Chiefs’ running backs under 4 yards per carry. The rotation is also a big part of this group with players like Adetomiwa Adebawore and Neville Gallimore getting in on the action.
Unsung hero: Ashton Dulin
Dulin had a single catch, but he took it for 48-yards on a third down conversion to set up a Colts’ touchdown. He is the perfect #4 receiver. He puts in a ton of effort in run blocking, he is a special teams’ contributor, and even makes the occasional big play here and there. He is the sort of player that winning teams just love to have on their teams, and hopefully a Colt for the rest of his career.
Rookie of the Week: Tyler Warren
Sort of the average 5 catch, 45-yard performance for Warren, but that is more than enough to earn the ROTW award. I expected to see more from JTT, but that has not been the case over the past few weeks, so almost by default this award goes to Warren.
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