The Indianapolis Colts (2-2) have their toughest battle yet in the young 2019 season as they hit the road to visit the Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night.
The Colts are heavy underdogs on the road against the Chiefs but given all the surprises that happen each week, there is always a chance for an upset.
Here are the Colts’ keys to victory in Week 5 against the Chiefs:
Keep Patrick Mahomes in the pocket
It’s really a pick your poison with Mahomes. If he’s given too much time in the pocket, he will carve up a defense like the Colts—a unit that features heavy zone coverage. There’s also the problem with pressure.
Many times when Mahomes is flushed out of the pocket due to pressure, that’s when he can be at his most dangerous. It’s a fine line the Colts will have to walk. They must apply consistent pressure on Mahomes, but they can’t allow him to evade the pocket every time it collapses.
The hype surrounding Mahomes is real. He’s an incredible talent and the biggest challenge the Colts are facing this season. If a victory is in the cards, they will have to keep Mahomes in the pocket while still applying pressure.
Stick with the run game
The Colts have made it clear they want to feature the rushing attack behind the stout offensive line and electric Marlon Mack out of the backfield. Sticking with the run game will have many beneficial factors.
First, the Colts can control the line of scrimmage with a successful run game. The Chiefs are allowing 5.9 yards per carry to opposing offenses—the most in the NFL. Second, the Colts can keep Mahomes and the Chiefs offense off the field longer if the run game can chew up the clock.
It is likely the Colts will have to throw a bit more to keep up with the Chiefs offense, but they can slow them down some if the rushing attack is successful.
Receiving corps has to step up
The Colts are hoping that wide receiver T.Y. Hilton can play despite being listed as questionable with a quad injury. Regardless of whether he can play, the receiving corps for the Colts has to be better than it was in Week 4.
If Hilton plays, that’s a huge boost for the offense. But they will need players like Eric Ebron, Zach Pascal and Deon Cain to step up when they are targeted. Cain and Ebron were victims of drops in Week 4, which can’t happen again on Sunday night.
The Colts offense will have a tall task trying to keep up with the Chiefs offense and if they are to do so, the receiving corps has to bring its A-game.
