In a game that will surely play a huge factor in the AFC Playoff picture, the 5-5 Kansas City Chiefs are looking for a bounce-back win as they take on the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts. KC is trying to snap a two-game skid, while the Colts are hoping to make a statement coming out of their bye week.

Last time out, the Chiefs fell to the Denver Broncos thanks to a game-winning field goal by Denver kicker Wil Lutz. With that loss on the books, Kansas City dropped to 1-2 in divisional games this season.

“Denver played a good game, and they got us today,” said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid during the Week 11 postgame press conference. “On our side, I've got to make sure that we don't go three-and-out with those last couple of offensive series. And then there were a variety of things that went on that we all contributed to throughout. Both sides of the ball and special teams… When you're playing a good football team, you’ve got to cut back on your penalties for sure.”

One thing that is different for the Chiefs this season is their performance in one-score games. They were 11-0 in those types of games last year, but are 0-5 this season.

“When you're playing good teams, whether it's myself making a call or the players playing, you've got to do the right things,” Reid explained. “You put the guys in the right position, and the guys have got to make plays when given an opportunity. Both sides of the ball [and] special teams. We're all in it together.”

Stopping Indy running back Jonathan Taylor will be a top priority for the Chiefs. That's something that nobody has been able to do yet, considering JT leads the league in rushing yards by a wide margin (1,139).

“Honestly, a lot of these guys in this league are dynamic guys in the backfield. He's a little bit thicker than the rest of them,” said KC linebacker Nick Bolton on Wednesday. "He's a lot similar to like Bijan (Robinson), Jahmyr (Gibbs) in terms of speed and athleticism, besides stats-wise, he’s a little bit thicker than those guys. So, I think it's going to be population at the ball. Attack is going to be a difficult thing for us. We're trying to get four or five guys to the ball when we can and just make tackles out in the space.”

The Indianapolis Colts earned a much-needed bye following an overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons on November 9th in Berlin, Germany. Players getting a week off will likely lead to a better performance this Sunday, explained Colts head coach Shane Steichen.

“I think the biggest thing for the players is just taking care of their bodies during the bye week,” Steichen said during a November 17th interview. “Guys have got nicks and bruises. Everyone's going through that. No one's going to be 100% when you go through an NFL season… But [they] do get some time, get some rest, hang out with your families, get some recovery time, [and] obviously watch some football… Get some rest and recovery, and then be locked in and ready to go for Kansas City.”

Preparing for Patrick Mahomes might be Indy's toughest task to date. Not only is he an all-time great quarterback, but he's also currently tied for seventh in passing touchdowns (18) and is fourth in passing yards this season (2,625).

“I think he's got an incredible feel for the game. Incredible feel,” explained Steichen. ”I think his instincts are some things that you probably can't coach. When you watch him on tape, the plays he makes outside of the pocket. Stepping up in the pocket. Getting out of the pocket. The throws, the crossbody throws, the down-the-field throws, the intermediate throws. I think he's got a great feel for space. And I think their receivers - as a whole - with Kelce and Worthy and Rice and Brown, I think they do a good job of finding those dead spots for him as well. I'm sure they practice it like crazy.”

Interestingly enough, the Colts have an MVP-caliber quarterback of their own in Daniel Jones. After a disastrous first six years in New York, he has had a career resurgence with Indy, ranking in the top five in the league in passing yards (third), yards per pass attempt (fifth), and completion percentage (fourth).

“We've tried to really get to know his strengths and get to know his areas of comfort, and the things he can operate, has operated before, things he's comfortable with. Maybe schemes that he likes or scheme adjustments that he likes,” said Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. “As we've gotten to work with Daniel, whether it's in the off-season, in training camp, and then, especially, early in the season, I think we got a better and better and better feel for him, some of his strengths, some ways we could take the offense that would really accentuate his strengths and ultimately give him the best chance to succeed… He's doing such a great job of working each week and preparing for his opponents and going through that process with us being open to discuss those things, which is really valuable.”

Prediction for Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs (-3)

This is a must-win game for the Kansas City Chiefs. Then again, last week was a must-win game, and KC lost to the Broncos 22-19. The Chiefs have a strong run defense, but they have not shown that they can stop the NFL's top rushing attacks, as evidenced by their 28-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, in which they allowed 141 yards on the ground. Though the Chiefs beat the Ravens, who are fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game, Baltimore had to abandon the rushing attack early after falling into a 20-7 hole. Indy's third-ranked run game will allow the Colts to control the clock and keep the ball out of Patrick Mahomes' hands. It'll also make it easier for Daniel Jones to find success in the passing game.

Prediction: Colts 29 - 27 Chiefs

How to watch Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs (-3)

Colts @ Chiefs starts at 1:00 p.m. EDT at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. You can watch it on CBS or stream it via the Paramount+ app or YouTube TV.

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