Chiefs Offense Vs Colts Defense Preview: Week 3 2022

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Going into the season, there were many games that immediately stood out on the 2022 schedule for the Kansas City Chiefs. One of the sneaky good matchups was the one in Week 3, where Kansas City travels to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. It will pit two contrasting styles against one another this Sunday.

On one hand, you have the speed and explosiveness of the Chiefs. On the other, the Colts are known more for being physical and tenacious in everything they do. Indianapolis is looking to make things gritty, forcing teams to grind it out. Meanwhile, Kansas City is still largely known for their ability to strike quickly. How will each team’s starts change things in key matchups? The Chiefs are 2-0 and feeling confident. Yet, the Colts have fell flat out of the gate, beginning 0-1-1 after having two division road games.

Today, we will be looking into the matchup of the Chiefs offense and the Colts defense. What are the top position battles that could determine Sunday’s outcome? Let’s kick it off.

Chiefs Offensive Line Vs Colts Pass Rush

Despite the contrasting styles overall, this is one matchup where the temperament is arguably equal. Kansas City’s blocking unit is probably known more for being technically refined. However, the Chiefs have done well to add some relentlessness to their offensive line in the last couple of years. Guards Trey Smith and Joe Thuney are the two that stand out in that regard. Elsewhere, center Creed Humphrey has the strength and power that is not evident in all other centers around the league. The movement that he creates will be necessary on Sunday.

On the flip side, Indianapolis has stocked their defensive line with ample size and brute force. The defensive tackle duo of DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart can both eat up space and clog gaps. While their power at the point of attack wins them many reps, each of their short area quickness should not go unnoticed. The rest of the defensive line depth mainly relies on reducing rush angles with linear quickness. Names like Kwity Paye, Yannick Ngakoue, Dayo Odeyingbo and Ifeadi Odenigbo can collapse the pocket swiftly with their get off at the snap and heavy hands.

Chiefs Running Backs Vs Colts Linebackers

It has been a tremendous start to the season for Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Through two games, he has totaled 116 rushing yards on 15 carries, good enough for 7.7 yards per carry. More importantly, CEH has started to show some of that versatility that helped make him a first round pick back in 2020. As a receiver, Edwards-Helaire has not just come through when needed, but he has been able to run a full route tree. That is something that has been mostly absent for him during the first two seasons. Specifically last week, Edwards-Helaire gave the Chiefs a jolt when he took an angle route over the middle of the field, made the catch and trucked Derwin James for a first down.

Will he get more touches this week? That is hard to say. Either way, the depth running backs have been solid when needed. Jerick McKinnon has given the Chiefs increased pace inside opponent’s territory, due to his speed. Isiah Pacheco had more volume in Week 1. But, this matchup against Indianapolis could be perfect for the rookie. Pacheco may serve as a chess piece who can match the physicality of the Colts linebackers.

As for Indy, it is unknown if Shaquille Leonard will make his season debut. He missed the first two games with a back injury. In his place, Bobby Okereke can win so many reps due to his high football IQ. Depth pieces like Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed provide the Colts with adequate speed and range in the open field. Can that provide some stabilization against a Chiefs running back room that has started out well?

Smith-Schuster And Valdes-Scantling Vs Colts Cornerbacks

Out of all of the Chiefs wide receivers, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are worth monitoring the most in Indy. Each receiver had a strong first showing in Arizona. Nevertheless, the two newcomers were largely nonexistent last week. We know that Patrick Mahomes said that the Chiefs would be spreading the ball around each and every week. It was not the exact matchup where you look to see a light night of production from Smith-Schuster and MVS.

Mahomes and the duo seemed off at times. Whereas on other reps, both receivers were failing to gain separation and complete their route stems. When they did make a catch, it was usually for a minimal gain. Will Kansas City scheme up some quicker outlets into the open field against the Colts?

Simply put, the Colts cornerbacks are not too dissimilar to that of the Chargers. The ceiling may be higher for the Los Angeles secondary. Though, Indianapolis boasts a great deal of length, ball skills and tenacity at the catch point. Stephon Gilmore is still smooth when it comes to jumping routes. Others like Kenny Moore II and Isaiah Rodgers are challenging to separate from one-on-one. Even Brandon Facyson has continued to become more well-rounded throughout his career.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.