Answering your last minute questions about the Colts-Chiefs game.
It’s game day Colts Nation as the Indianapolis Colts travel to Arrowhead to take on the one seeded Kansas City Chiefs. I know that you all still have plenty of questions regarding this game as you anxiously await for the opening kick-off so I decided to do a quick Twitter mailbag to get everyone ready for the big game.
Thank you to everyone who submitted questions last night on Twitter. There were plenty of good questions and some that I may answer at later dates. If anyone here would like to participate in future Twitter mailbags, follow me @Zachhicks2. Let’s jump into some of those questions!
Mailbag
Question:
Bigger mismatch: Andrew Luck vs Chiefs defense or Pat Mahomes vs Colts Defense
— Matt Valdovinos (@MVscouting) January 11, 2019
Answer:
That’s a tough question. I’m going to lean Andrew Luck mainly because the Colts’ defense has played very well over this win streak and the Chiefs’ defense— outside of their pass rush— is quite bad on all levels. The main mismatch should be in the secondary as the Chiefs have been particularly bad there and the Colts cornerback trio of Kenny Moore II, Pierre Desir, and Quincy Wilson have played really well in recent weeks. Should be tough sledding though for both these defenses though, as they face two quarterbacks who have combined for 89 regular season touchdown passes this season.
Question:
@ZachHicks2 How much will Eric Berry's absence affect the Colts' offensive production?
— Daniel Escobar (@DividedArtist) January 11, 2019
Answer:
As of writing this article, Eric Berry is questionable for today’s game. If he is officially ruled out, it is obviously a huge win for the Colts. Berry minimizes a lot of the Chiefs’ deficiencies on the backend with his elite range and playmaking skills. If he is in fact out, the Colts will likely be more willing to take more downfield shots throughout the game and really look to expose the weaker corners of the Chiefs.
Question:
What is the Colts’ blueprint for (attempting) to stop the Chiefs in the redzone?
— Ryan Marshall (@ryanabc114) January 11, 2019
Answer:
It certainly won’t be easy. The Chiefs are dominant in the redzone behind their MVP candidate quarterback and All-Pro tight end and outside receiver. They run a ton of motion and trickery in order to open up zones and throwing lanes for Mahomes to make tight window passes in the redzone. I think though that the best course of action is for the defense to just maintain strong zone discipline— don’t get caught out of position— while mixing in some disguised zone blitzes. That formula should yield the best results.
Question:
With TY still injured, is Mack going to be their primary offensive option or with how atrocious KC's pass defense is will the recievers be the primary threat?
— RedskinsAreMismanaged (@AreRedskins) January 11, 2019
Answer:
I wouldn’t put anybody over Hilton as the Colts’ primary weapon, even with the strong play of Marlon Mack lately. Hilton has been an absolute warrior this past month or so as he has barely practiced due to an ankle injury. In spite of that, he still managed to lead the NFL in receiving since the start of December. Really remarkable stuff from Hilton of late. After Hilton, I’d say that Mack and Ebron are the primary options for the offense.
Question:
What role will Dontrelle Inman play and how does he matchup against Kansas City’s cornerbacks?
— Andrew Fisher (@ColtsFisher) January 11, 2019
Answer:
Likely as big a role as he’s played since the Colts signed him. Inman has been the perfect free agent signing for the Colts as he’s brought a consistently reliable target to the offense who excels as a third down option with his length and route running. Today, I see Inman still being used in his number two receiver role with the main focus again being on him on third down. He needs to win today with his excellent length, size, and hands over this poor Kansas City secondary.
Question:
Who has more catches tomorrow Inman or Rogers?
— Evan Taylor (@EGTaylor78) January 11, 2019
Answer:
Tough question. The typical answer would probably be Inman due to playing time and his role on third downs. In my opinion though, Rogers will have a bigger role today against the Chiefs. Rogers has improved a lot in recent weeks especially when used in the WR screen game. The Chiefs have a deadly pass rush and a really poor tackling linebacker group and secondary so they may exploit that weakness by getting the ball out quick to Rogers on screens and checkdowns. A stat line of 7 catches for 60 yards or so from him would not shock me today.
Question:
Pass pro- Would you say Colts line is weaker against speed rushers? or power rushers? K.C. has very good speed rushers, and especially Ford against Smith makes me a bit nervous.
— ColtsLaw (@kimberly_v78) January 12, 2019
Answer:
I think it is fair to say the line struggles more with speed rather than power. Smith’s toughest matchup all year was Cameron Wake despite facing J.J. Watt twice. Castonzo had his fair share of struggles with guys like Harold Landry as well. Ford and Houston are great speed rushers and I could definitely see them giving the tackles some trouble today. The confidence though that Smith and Castonzo are playing with gives me some confidence though heading into today’s matchup.
Question:
Why doesn’t anybody talk about Braden Smith?
— Ryan (@Ryan_Espinosa12) January 12, 2019
Answer:
I talk about him! I promise! In all seriousness though, it is likely due to the highlight worthy play of Quenton Nelson, the All-Pro play of Ryan Kelly, and the sheer surprise of Mark Glowinski that overshadows Smith a bit. Smith’s journey to this point has been quite incredible though. Working as a right tackle at Auburn heading into his final season, the team decided to move him back to guard because of his struggles. Flash to now and he appears to be the future of the Colts’ right tackle position. Smith will be a staple of this team for a long time.
Question:
This isn’t regarding the game but I’d like to know who’s allowed more sacks smith or castanzo?
— Ryan (@Ryan_Espinosa12) January 12, 2019
Answer:
I believe it has been Smith actually depending on where you look. Pro Football Focus has Smith allowing three sacks on the season while Castonzo has only allowed two. Regardless, when your bookend tackles have only allowed five sacks combined since they entered the lineup in week 5, you are doing something right.
Question:
I was out in Kansas City last night and that’s all they could say!
— An Unhealthy Obsession (@rickmiddlebrook) January 12, 2019
Asked one question: has Mahoney ever played in snow? Ever?
Conversation over.
Answer:
I honesty don’t know the answer here without tons of research but I’m going to say no. Mahomes played high school football in Texas and the furthest north he traveled in college for a game was to West Virginia in November. So, I’m assuming he has never played in the snow.
Thanks again to everyone who submitted questions. Go Colts!
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