In the words of former NFL head coach Herm Edwards, “you play to win the game!” Even when you’re coming off of a tough home loss, have extensive injuries and are going on the road to face a Super Bowl contender, there has to be this willingness to prepare like never before in order to meet the next challenge ahead.
The Indianapolis Colts (3-2) certainly weren’t feeling bad for themselves, when entering Sunday’s night contest against the Kansas City Chiefs (4-1). And it showed as the Colts defeated the previously undefeated AFC West competitor, 19-13, thus shocking the football world. In almost every way possible, the Colts did what was necessary and then some, to secure this massive win.
Here are five takeaways from the Colts’ massive upset win in Week 5.
Marlon Mack was truly something special
Whether it was in my latest “Matchups to Watch” piece or others that previewed this matchup, we all knew the Colts’ best chances on offense was coming down to one man. Running back Marlon Mack. Sunday’s contest between the Colts and Chiefs was pitting the league’s fifth-highest rusher against the worst rushing defense and it was important for various ways.
For a team that was going to play against their toughest opponent to date, in a very tough environment, the Colts had to find ways to control this game. Luckily for them, that actually happened. Mack would rush, juke and power his way towards 132 rushing yards on 29 carries. But the USF product also did more than gain yards and put his team in favorite down and distances.
After five weeks of action, the Colts finally won the time of possession battle in impressive fashion with a difference of 37:15 to 22:45.
Frank Reich never folds and never breaks
Let’s all be honest, people. Basically, everybody thought the Colts were losing this game on Sunday night. This is literally a fact that can be proven by a multitude of tweets, articles and pregame talk shows. Yet in moments like that, it’s why the Colts were more than fortunate to have Frank Reich as their head coach.
Ranging between his decisions to go for it on two fourth downs to calling plays which challenged and then exposed Kansas City’s defense in unfamiliar ways; Reich and his staff never wavered from the kind of decision-making and attitude we expected from them.
It’s incredibly easy to look at head coaches and their speeches as “cheap” but nothing has ever been cheap about Frank Reich. The Colts’ head coach is truly a man of his belief, words and ability to translate that to the football field.
Bravo, defense, bravo
As what is usually said about any great offensive player or team offense, you can never “stop” them. All you can do is try to contain or slow them down enough to give yourself the best chance to win. On Sunday night, the Colts faced a monumental task of defending facing this Chiefs offense, filled with great talent, speed and play-calling.
Yet, even with reigning MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes getting off to a hot start and their own injuries occurring, the Colts quickly changed the script. First of all, the Chiefs’ streak of 26 consecutive games with at least 25 points ended because they were held to 13 on Sunday. Secondly, the AFC West competitor was held to 324 total yards on offense, which is certainly low for them.
Lastly, it came down to something that can’t be defined by numbers. Their effort. All night, the Colts’ front seven greatly pressured Mahomes (four sacks), eliminated their running game (36 yards) and didn’t allow any big passing plays (longest play was 31 yards).
Houston’s main purpose was shown
Nights like Sunday are exactly why Justin Houston is an Indianapolis Colt. Following his free-agency signing with the Colts, because the Chiefs released him, Houston was immediately expected to become a game-changer for a team in desperate need of those on their defensive line.
Although Houston’s impact at the start of this season could be seen at times, it had never been bigger than what he did against his former team in Week 5. The former All-Pro produced four tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack and was downright dominant in his matchup with Chiefs offensive tackle Cam Erving.
To watch a great pass rusher at their best is easily a treat. Houston’s variety of moves and counters against opposing lineman and how they make everyone, including teammates, readjust to their dominance was incredible. Throughout Sunday’s game, Houston’s success eventually created opportunities for the likes of Denico Autry, Kuemko Turay, and Grover Stewart, as they also got to Mahomes on multiple occasions.
Vinatieri can still be Mr. Reliable
After kicker Adam Vinatieri made two of his final field goals in Sunday’s game, I thought of a question. When was the last time, Vinatieri had to make a stretch of important kicks in similar circumstances? Although there are plenty of times where the future Hall of Famer made three, four, or five kicks in a game, it’s different in these big-time games.
But then the answer hit me: It was the 2006 AFC Divisionial game against the Baltimore Ravens on the road. With some similarities between how the game went and who won, the biggest one was Vinatieri coming through in the clutch with his timely field goals. We watched him make all five of his attempts, which served as the Colts’ only source of points and it basically happened on Sunday as well.
Minus quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s touchdown run, the Colts’ final 12 points were scored by no other than Vinatieri, who went 4/4 on field goals and easily quieted a very loud Chiefs fanbase. In the last two weeks, the man we call “Vinny” has made five out of his six total attempts.
