I don't have the numbers to prove it. But at quick glance it looks like the Colts are very slow starters. Chiefs are not great closers. We need to get off to a hot start.
We've seen a few games where mahomes gets too amped up early in big spotlight games. The bye week can also be tricky to get going quickly. We need to walk into the 4th quarter with a commanding lead. [Reply]
Originally Posted by dannybcaitlyn:
Andy Reid’s first 15 scripted plays better be money. We need a quick start!
Agreed. We've also seen mahomes too juiced up early in big games. Tends to make throws a little hot early. He's been outstanding in the second halves of those games. That will probably be fixed with experience. But hopefully Reid can calm him down early. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Coach:
He's not wrong though. Facts are facts. Since Watkins went out, the offense kind of stalled.
And we all know how bad our defense is. If they can't force the Colts to punt and a turnover, then all bets are off.
But the big thing they have to do, and it's an absolute must. Tackle. Cannot afford missed tackles. Houston had a bunch of that today. That bit them in the ass when Indianapolis went up 21-0.
You do realize that they scored 50 points in a game without Watkins, right? 40 in another?
Ah, but they didn’t drop 40 on the Ravens, so they’ve stalled. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RaidersOftheCellar:
What about the refs? Are they of no concern now?
One upside of this is that the refs usually don't call as many penalties in the playoffs so the highly penalized grabby secondary probably gets away with more. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RaidersOftheCellar:
You do realize that they scored 50 points in a game without Watkins, right? 40 in another?
Ah, but they didn’t drop 40 on the Ravens, so they’ve stalled.
They're better with Watkins, let's not act like they aren't. Defenses respect him far more than our other guys and that alone opens up Kelce and Hill more. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
They're better with Watkins, let's not act like they aren't. Defenses respect him far more than our other guys and that alone opens up Kelce and Hill more.
Yup. We're still damn good without Watkins. But we really need him. Defenses have been playing us two deep and doubling up on those two. And our other receivers just aren't good enough to take advantage of one on one. Mahomes has had to hold on to the ball for way longer than I'd like. [Reply]
This game reminds me a lot of when we would play Pittsburgh under Alex, specially in the playoff game.
They’ve got a a really strong OL, good run game, really good QB and WR. Defense plays predominantly cover 2 and they rely on a good ILB. Pittsburgh’s defense was better, though.
But the main difference of course.... Mahomes. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
If they sit in cover 2 against this team, Watkins back, we should just pick them apart.
They’re going to. It’s what they’ve done all year, it’s their scheme. They don’t have the defensive talent to play riskier coverages (man to man, C3, etc). [Reply]
Fisher and Schwartz better show up. They were each having a couple of shaky games down the stretch. If the Colts have to blitz to generate any pressure like last night, we'll be alright. [Reply]