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NFL Playoffs: Predicting the AFC Divisional Round Sans Broncos

By Graham Tiedtke

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos and quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs shake hands after a 27-23 Chiefs win at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos and quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs shake hands after a 27-23 Chiefs win at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 11: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to the sidelines after a play during the second half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 11: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to the sidelines after a play during the second half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Colts @ Chiefs

Graham Tiedtke 

Both the Indianapolis Colts and the Kansas City Chiefs have strong offenses. The Chiefs boast the quarterback with the most touchdown passes in the NFL for 2018 with 50.

It is clear that the Chiefs are fine without Kareem Hunt.

They are definitely going to need safety Eric Berry to help the secondary against Andrew Luck, who has 39 touchdown passes on the season.

I don’t know if there is any stopping Patrick Mahomes. The Colts can stop the Chiefs, but it likely will come down to a last-minute attempt.

The Colts also have a stud running back in Marlon Mack who they should take advantage of.

What I’m trying to say is, I think that this game is going to be a shootout. I think this game has “shootout” written all over it. However, the Colts will sneak by.

Colts 41, Chiefs 38

Baylor Bradac

With so much going on in Broncos Country, given the hiring of Vic Fangio, it’s almost hard to remember that we are actually in the middle of the NFL Playoffs. But if you try to listen past all the noise, you’ll find out this weekend we have some great football to watch, and it kicks off with the Colts visiting the Chiefs at Arrowhead.

The Colts beat the Texans last week in the Wild Card round. 21-7 was the final score and now the Colts have a real challenge on their hands. Despite that this game seems to have a clear favorite, I think this game is going to come down to the wire, and here is why.

The Colts have been on an absolute tear down the stretch this year, and last week they went into Houston, and put up 21 points on JJ Watt and the Texans’ defense, all while managing to contain arguably the best receiver in the league.

Offensively, the Colts ended the season ranked 7th overall in the category, and 6th in passing. The Chiefs ended the year with the 31st ranked defense in the league. So long as they protect the ball, the Colts should have no problem moving down the field on the Chiefs.

Now let’s look at the other side of the ball. The Colts were ranked just outside of the top 10 in overall defense, coming in at 11th, while the Chiefs managed to finish the year with the top-rated overall offense. The Indy defense has allowed under 350 yards per game, and only 21 points a game. Based on how they started the season, these number are incredible.

Everyone in the league at this point has learned, you can’t STOP Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but a solid defense and a smart game plan can absolutely slow them down. If Indy can keep DeAndre Hopkins in check, I can’t think of anyone the Chiefs could throw at them that the defense wouldn’t be able to handle. I believe the Colts will keep the score close enough to make things interesting.

Keep in mind, the Broncos gave the Chiefs fits this season, and almost pulled out a win, and the Colts are a much better team than Denver, in my opinion.

If you asked me to pick between Andrew Luck and a quarterback that is making his first playoff start, I would pick Luck in a heartbeat. Despite everything in me saying to take the safe pick and say Chiefs, I just can’t shake the feeling that the Chiefs will be the Chiefs, and lose in their first postseason game again, especially because of the opposition.

I like the Colts in this one.

Colts 34, Chiefs 27

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