INDIANAPOLIS – The hottest team in the NFL over the course of the last season comes to Indianapolis this weekend.
Kansas City is 14-2 in their last 16 regular season games.
They will put that on the line this Sunday in Indianapolis, where the Colts are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
The Chiefs are 4-2 this year (3-0 at home) and have clearly built off last season's 10-win run to clinch a Wild Card berth.
Quarterback Alex Smith continues to protect the ball very well. Coming into 2016, Smith's 1.39 interception percentage the last three years was the second lowest in the NFL. Smith has just two interceptions in 214 attempts this year.
Smith is working with a different lead back, as Jamal Charles (just 12 carries this year) is still limited in his ACL recovery.
Starting running back Spencer Ware is doing his best Charles impression in averaging 5.2 yards per carry and 19.0 yards per reception.
Just like last week, the Colts will see a passing game that focuses on the tight end.
TE-Travis Kelce has 27 catches (tied for the team lead) for 276 yards on the season.
Kansas City is relying on a very opportune defense in helping the Chiefs into the early AFC playoff picture.
The Chiefs' 14 takeaways are the second most in the NFL. Their 10 interceptions lead the league.
Safety Eric Berry and cornerback Marcus Peters are two of the league's best defensive backs.
Sack master Justin Houston remains out due to an ACL injury from last year's postseason. Houston is not expected to be back this weekend.
Sunday's game for the Colts is their only home contest in a 41-day stretch.
*2016 Record: *4-2, 2nd place in the AFC West.
*Head Coach: *Andy Reid, head coach (18th season as an NFL head coach, 4th season as Chiefs head coach, 165-112-1 overall regular season, 11-11 overall playoffs).
*2016 NFL Rankings: *Offense – Overall, 19th (347.7); Rushing, 18th (109.3); Passing, 21st (238.3). Defense – Overall, 23rd (371.3); Rushing, 21st (114.3); Passing, 19th (257.0).
2016 Leading Passer: Alex Smith (145-of-214 comp., 1,511 yards, 67.8 pct., 7 TDs, 2 INTs, 95.0 rating).
*2016 Leading Rusher: *Spencer Ware (95 carries, 492 yards, 2 TDs).
2016 Leading Receiver: *Jeremy Maclin (27 receptions, 333 yards, 1 TD).2016 Leading Sacker:* Dee Ford (3.5).
2016 Turnover Breakdown: Plus 7 (4th in the NFL).
2016 NFL Draft Results: Without a first-round pick, the Chiefs found a contributor in the second round. Defensive tackle Chris Jones has been a productive player as a rookie. On the other side of the trenches, fourth-rounder OL-Parker Ehinger has started three games in 2016. In the fifth round, the Chiefs took WR-Tyreek Hill out of West Alabama. Hill has 14 catches on the season.
2015 Review:How quickly can things turn? That's the story of the Chiefs' 2015 season. A 1-5 start last season seems like years ago. The Chiefs won 10 in a row to finish 2015 and even challenged the Broncos for the division title and a potential bye. Kansas City beat the Texans 30-0 in the Wild Card, before losing to New England the following week. The Chiefs had six Pro Bowlers last season.
Last time in Playoffs: 2015 season. Lost to the New England Patriots, 27-20, in the AFC Divisional Round of the Playoffs.
*Last time in Super Bowl: *1969 season. Beat the Minnesota Vikings, 23-7, in Super Bowl IV.
*Super Bowl Championships: *One. 1969 season (Super Bowl IV).
2016 Pro Bowl Selections: TE-Travis Kelce, ILB-Derrick Johnson, OLB-Justin Houston, OLB-Tamba Hali, S-Eric Berry, CB-Marcus Peters.
