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Chiefs at Colts: 3 things we learned

By Russell S. Baxter

Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles (4) calls an audible at the the line against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles (4) calls an audible at the the line against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Andy Reid’s improving Kansas City Chiefs dominated the Indianapolis Colts. Here are three takeaways from that contest.

The Kansas City Chiefs stayed in the thick of the competitive AFC West race with an impressive road win at Indianapolis.

The team’s convincing 30-14 win over the Colts featured a tremendous defensive effort as well as a great relief job by the Chiefs’ bullpen. Meanwhile, Chuck Pagano’s team slumped to 3-5 and slipped to third place in the AFC South.

So what did we learn about both of these clubs on Sunday?

1. Chiefs defense has regained its confidence

Remember how Andy Reid’s team was embarrassed on a Sunday night in the Steel City? Pittsburgh jumped out to a huge first-quarter lead and laid a 43-14 thumping on the Chiefs. The Kansas City secondary repeatedly gave up big plays to speedy wide receivers Antonio Brown, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Sammie Coates.

Over the last three weeks, the Chiefs’ defense has managed to keep the passing attacks of the Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. Those teams combined for just 45 points. On Sunday, they forced Andrew Luck into a pair of turnovers and sacked the fifth-year signal-caller six times.

This is a unit that is once again on the upswing.

2. Turnovers still an issue for Andrew Luck

To date this season, the star signal-caller hasn’t put together back-to-back strong efforts. Luck has had his share of impressive outings this season but he still tries to do too much on occasion – although it’s really kind of hard to fault anyone for trying. In any case he managed to throw for 210 yards and a pair of scores against the Chiefs. But he also turned over the ball twice as he spent the day running for his life. Luck was not only sacked six times, he was the game’s leading rusher with 60 yards on nine attempts.

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3. Andy Reid with interchangeable quarterbacks?

It’s a nice luxury when you have two quarterbacks that you’re very familiar with. The longtime head coach is in his fourth season in Kansas City with Alex Smith. He was also in Philadelphia when he and the organization drafted Nick Foles. With the former in and out of the lineup with a concussion, Foles came in and finished the day with 16 completions on 22 attempts for 223 yards and a pair of scores. The fact that the Chiefs managed to win on the road without their offense intact all afternoon was a big plus.

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