NFL Playoffs: Predicting the AFC Divisional Round Sans Broncos

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 – OCTOBER 28: Jeff Heuerman #82 of the Denver Broncos reaches out trying to make a catch in from of Ron Parker #38 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 28: Jeff Heuerman #82 of the Denver Broncos reaches out trying to make a catch in from of Ron Parker #38 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

Kyla Antoinette

Will Kansas City’s curse finally be snapped? Are they going to make it past the first game in the playoffs?

They have home field advantage, but that’s never meant anything in the recent past, if you call the Joe Montana days recent.

KC doesn’t have a good playoff record against the Colts at 0-4, but Kansas City has never had the quarterback they do now. Mahomes made history joining the likes of Peyton Manning by making the list of QBs to have 50 touchdowns, and 5000 yards in the same season.

But Andrew Luck has seen quite the improvement in his offensive line. He’s suddenly protected and able to calculate his plays better instead of running for his life. (Sounds familiar, Broncos). He threw only about 300 yards less than Mahomes.

What else comes with better offensive line? Better run game. This has been the weakest point of the Kansas City defense. They rank 27th against rushing, and Marlon Mack is going to make them pay.

It’s said that defense wins championships. This will be a test to that. KC’s defense is much worse than Indy, but is Mahomes the magic answer? Is he good enough to end the heartbreak Kansas City fans have endured for over 10 seasons now?

Sure, there’s more to KC than Mahomes, but really… he’s going to be the deciding factor if Kansas City can pull this off.

This is a tough one. I say, just a little feeling inside is telling me, it’s going to be Kansas City.

Chiefs 28, Colts 21

Ty Walden

As much as I would enjoy watching the Kansas City Chiefs find someway to continue their struggles in the playoffs, I do not think it will happen on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts. Do not get me wrong, the Colts have a really good chance at winning this game. But with so many weapons on offense for the Chiefs, it is going to be difficult to stop them.

The Chiefs are going to do what they can to force Andrew Luck to win the game by attempting to shut down the Colts running game. Crazier things have happened, but I just do not see the Chiefs losing this game.

Chiefs 31 Colts 24

Schedule