Chiefs vs. Colts: Six frustrating takeaways from Week 3

Growing pains are real

The Chiefs sport one of the league’s youngest rosters as they carried 9 of their 10 draft picks into the regular season. Many of those players are earning real playing time, which bodes well for the future, but it can also mean some real trouble spots in the present.

Early in the game, Skyy Moore ended up gifting the Indianapolis Colts with a first-and-goal situation from just a few yards out after he completely whiffed on a punt return shortly after the Chiefs defense had halted the Colts on a beautiful three-and-out. From there, Matt Ryan completed a short pass to rookie tight end Jelani Woods and the Colts took an early 7-0 lead.

Rookie mistakes would not end there. Isiah Pacheco brought out a kickoff from far too deep on an ensuing drive and almost lost the football on another. Moore himself would lose another punt and allow the Colts to pin the Chiefs at the 1-yard line. Colts receivers got the best of rookie cornerback Jaylen Watson a couple of times. Even a new kicker in Matt Ammendola missed an early extra point.

A young team with new faces is just going to need time to come together. When it comes to rookies, it’s going to mean growing pains. It can be tough to watch but there’s no way around it at times.