Chiefs vs. Colts: What to expect from Indianapolis

What should we really think of the Indianapolis Colts at this stage? Can they turn things around? We asked a Colts expert to take us behind the scenes.

Coming into Week 3, the narrative around the Indianapolis Colts has changed completely through only two games. That should tell everyone that no one—including persons on either side—really knows what to make of this team just yet. From preseason prognostications of winning the AFC South to their present panic with talk of hot seats, it’s just still too early to write them off or believe they’ll bounce back.

Heading into Week 3, the Chiefs are coming in with the opposite sort of momentum but that doesn’t mean Kansas City will overlook their opponents. They’ve had 10 days to rest from their Thursday night showdown with the L.A. Chargers, and this Chiefs team is still so young that each week provides a new learning curve. And given that the Colts are very motivated to turn the corner, it should be a tough game despite Indy’s failures so far this season.

As the Chiefs prepare to visit the Colts in Week 3, we asked our friend Jaleel Grandberry, the site expert at Horseshoe Heroes, to tell us more about Indy’s early season woes, what to expect from injured players in Week 3, and whether or not Frank Reich is really on the hot seat.

Some preseason expectations had the Colts winning the AFC South. How much of these first two games are a reflection of the true talent level on this roster? Is it time to panic?

It’s not panic time yet but the first two games have exposed issues that everyone knew were there: wide receiver depth & pass blocking). The expectation though was that Indy’s strengths (run game & defense) would be able to help overcome the weaknesses, similar to how the Colts did in Weeks 6-16 last season.

That hasn’t been the case in the first two games. Jonathan Taylor was able to help Indy run back into the game in Week 1 but he only had 10 touches in Week 2. The defense is still struggling to gel under Gus Bradley’s new system and he talked about how guys are still thinking through plays instead of knowing their responsibilities and flying around.

Also, the absence of Shaq Leonard has been huge as far as LBs defending the pass and Indy taking the ball away, with just one forced turnover so far. If the defense and run game can get rolling as expected, the Colts will look like the promising preseason team.

Do you feel that either Frank Reich or Chris Ballard is on a hot seat?

I would say Reich is definitely on the hot seat. He has a history of slow starts but always turns it around so he’ll definitely make it to the end of the season regardless. But he’s entering his fifth season, still without a division title, and he currently has his best roster yet so it’s time to start producing. Missing the playoffs would definitely start serious conversations about moving on.

Ballard may have a little more leeway since he has done a great job at drafting and extending promising players.

It feels like the Colts are losing battles in the trenches where they should be stronger. How are you feeling about the lines at this stage?

The offensive line is the most concerning unit on the team, even more so than wide receiver. They’re pretty good at run blocking but pass protection has been a disaster. Left tackle has been a problem since Anthony Castonzo retired in 2020 and currently, Matt Pryor has been really bad to start the year. Braden Smith, the right tackle, has also been struggling pretty badly. That’s super concerning because he was signed to a four-year extension worth $70 million last season. If the pass protection doesn’t improve, the offense will struggle all year.

Defensively, the line hasn’t done much yet but it’s not all that concerning at this point. Jacksonville did a really good job of getting the ball out fast but Indy will need more out of Yannick Ngakoue and DeForest Buckner moving forward.

What are the chances the Colts get some injured players back for Week 3?

There’s a pretty good chance that both Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce are back for Week 3 and that’ll make a huge difference in the passing game. Shaquille Leonard has been having full practices but his return remains a mystery. The team has been making a decision at the end of every practice week.

What’s the biggest reason for Colts fans to hope for a win on Sunday?

The biggest reason is that things will get really dim at 0-2-1 and while fans have already been pessimistic, they’ll probably start to believe the Colts are too deep to climb themselves back into contention.

Although many are already penciling this in as a loss for Indy, the biggest reason fans should think a win is possible is because Indy tends to play much better against tougher opponents.