The Indianapolis Colts returned to Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday for a home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Colts held a 17-10 all-time matchup record coming into the game. The Colts carried an 0-1-1 record into the week, while the Chiefs were 2-0. The Chiefs were also five-point favorites for this tilt.

Indianapolis scored 10 unanswered points for a 20-17 victory. After a quick three-and-out, the Colts punted the ball away, but a Skyy Moore muff set the Colts up immediately at the Chiefs’ four-yard line, where tight end Jelani Woods got his first career catch and touchdown. The teams swapped punts until Indianapolis turned the ball over on downs and set the Chiefs up with great field position. Travis Kelce punched it in following a big reception, but the point after was missed, giving the Colts a 7-6 lead. The Colts kicked a field goal then forced a punt, but a Matt Ryan fumble allowed Kansas City to get the ball back and score to take the lead. They got the two-point conversion on a pretty controversial goal line call, but took a 14-10 lead into the halftime break.

The Chiefs opened the second half with a 7-minute drive ending in a field goal, but the Colts ended up matching it. Kansas City drove into the red zone, but on what looked like a field goal attempt, decided to attempt a fake, which was snuffed out. With the score 17-13, the Colts drove into enemy territory before Jonathan Taylor got stuffed on a fourth-and-inches rushing attempt. The Chiefs took the ball, missed a field goal, and allowed the Colts a 16-play, 8-minute drive capped by Jelani Woods’ second touchdown with 24 seconds left. Kansas City showed signs of life on their final drive, but a tipped pass was picked off by Rodney McLeod to give the Colts the win.

Matt Ryan had a solid game in his Lucas Oil Stadium debut, throwing 27-37 for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was sacked five times. Taylor rushed 21 times for 71 yards, and his inefficient numbers were mostly the result of shoddy offensive line play. Michael Pittman, Jr. tallied eight catches for 72 yards, and the rookie Alec Pierce had a couple of great catches, going three-for-61. Woods, of course, had his first two career touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Patrick Mahomes put up an average stat line, completing 20 of his 35 passes for 262 yards, a touchdown, and the game-sealing interception. He was also the Chiefs’ leading rusher with 26 yards. 

Final: IND 20-17 KC

Analysis

Coming after a humiliating 24-0 defeat to the Jaguars, today’s game was an absolute must-win for the Colts. The game wasn’t pretty at times, but a win against the Chiefs is a great win regardless of appearance. The Colts definitely had some help in this one. On their final drive with under five minutes to go, a Chris Jones unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave them a much-needed fresh set of downs. Additionally, special teams issues piled up for the Chiefs. A muffed punt to open the game, a failed fake punt, and a missed chip-shot field goal headlined a string of errors. Nevertheless, the Colts got a much-needed win against one of the best teams in the NFL, and it should be a huge confidence boost. 

Around the Division

The Titans looked strong this week and got their first win of the year against the Los Vegas Raiders. Jacksonville continued their strong start with a shocking 38-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Houston Texans lost a heart breaker on a game-winning field goal by the Bears. The Jaguars’ win kept them in sole possession of first place in the division, and the Colts are still clinging to second, half a game ahead of the Titans. 

Looking Ahead

The Colts will look to keep their momentum going as they stay home again this week, hosting the Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis opens as three-point favorites, but it seems Derrick Henry and the Titans might be hitting their stride, so it may prove to be a tough matchup Sunday. Regular-season games against the Titans, especially recently, have been crucial to the outlook of the season, so the Colts are faced with another early must-win game. 

Image: USA TODAY