Dec 1, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; General view of the Arrowhead Stadium before the NFL game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
All the waiting is over. The OTAs, the preseason, regular season. Everything has led to this point. The Kansas City Chiefs have qualified for the post season tournament for the first time since 2010 and for the eighth time since winning their last playoff game in January of 1994. They are on a seven game losing streak and look to end that run with a victory against the AFC South Division Champion Indianapolis Colts.
Here are the specifics for today’s game:
Time: 3:35PM CT
Where: Indianapolis, IN. Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: KSHB-41/NBC
Radio: FM 101.1 The Fox. You can listen to it live here.
Point Spread: Kansas City +2.5 (Bovada.lv)
Chiefs Player To Keep an Eye On: Justin Houston, LB
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Houston returns to the line up for the first time since sublexing his elbow in the Chiefs Week 12 match up against the San Diego Chargers. Since Houston has been on the sidelines with the injury, the Chiefs defense hasn’t looked the same. The pass rush has suffered which in turn has exposed the Chiefs secondary. With Houston back in the lineup, this could really turn up the heat against Luck and the offense.
Chiefs Player Who Needs to Step Up: Alex Smith, QB
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Smith committed nearly a third of his total turnovers on the 2013 season during the Chiefs last meeting with the Colts on December 22 at Arrowhead. Though he only threw one interception, he did fumble the ball twice and was largely responsible for the Chiefs loss. Inversely, Smith has been largely responsible for the Chiefs turnaround this season, so to say he won’t bounce back and lead this team to a playoff victory is a little silly. However, with the Colts defense likely to key on Jamaal Charles, Smith will have to make a little magic to bring home the victory.
Chiefs X-Factor: Dexter McCluster, WR
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
McCluster has been selected to his first pro-bowl and the selection is well deserved. While the diminutive receiver has shown flashes in the passing game, he’s made his money as a punt returner. That’s where he’s really going to need to step up today. This season, the shorter the Chiefs field, the better they’ve been. If the defense can create some stops that puts the ball in McCluster’s hands and that’s where some magic could happen. A return for a TD in a playoff game would be huge!
Prediction:
I really think these teams match up well, but I think the Chiefs finally break the 20 year curse.
Chiefs – 30
Colts – 27
There it is, Addicts. The Chiefs are ready for some post season football and so are we.