Allgemein » The Chiefs looked set to become a dynasty

http://www.coltsfanshop.com/Bobby-Okereke-Jersey , but a nasty offseason left plenty of doubts in Missouri." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteStampede Bluean Indianapolis Colts communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsColtsShopAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Colts StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Colts NewsYahoo Colts Team PageYahoo Colts ReportYahoo Colts Depth ChartYahoo Colts TransactionsYahoo Colts PhotosShop About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Analyzing Colts biggest threats in the AFC: Kansas City ChiefsNew,88commentsThe Chiefs looked set to become a dynasty, but a nasty offseason left plenty of doubts in Missouri.EDTShareTweetShareShareAnalyzing Colts biggest threats in the AFC: Kansas City ChiefsPhoto by Peter Aiken/Getty ImagesWhen the season ended, the Chiefs were feeling pretty good about their chances of winning a Lombardi trophy (or more than one), in the next decade. Fast forward a couple of months, and Kansas City is entering training camp with more doubts than answers. After a rocky offseason, the Chiefs lost plenty of talent and starters, but with MVP quarterback Pat Mahomes on a rookie deal, they are still a dangerous threat on the AFC.StrengthsPhoto by Peter Aiken/Getty ImagesThe Chiefs biggest strength is by far Patrick Mahomes. The gunslinger out of Texas Tech emerged as an elite NFL quarterback in just his first full season in the NFL, earning MVP honors and posting one of the best seasons by a QB in recent memory. He threw for 50 touchdowns, with just 12 picks, and 5097 yards. The Chiefs offense was built perfectly around him, with vertical threats Travis Kelce and speedster Tyreek Hill, and with Kareem Hunt at running back. Kansas City boasted a top 2 offense in the NFL, consisting mostly of players entering the prime of their careers. Now, only Mahomes and Kelce remain (with Tyreek Hill’s status on doubt, more on that later). The Chiefs offense is still explosive and can go toe-to-toe with any defense. Mahomes is an astounding talent, Kelce is one of the best tight ends in the NFL and they drafted speedy WR Mecole Hardman out of Georgia.Andy Reid is a fine coach, even though he has a reputation for crumbling in the playoffs (Colts’ fans still remember that 28 point comeback). Reid has to be given credit for shaping Mahomes into the player he is today, however, and Reid-led offenses are consistently among the best in the league. It might not be as important or flashy as the fireworks the offense produces, but the Chiefs special teams unit is probably the best in the NFL. Kicker Harrison Butker is automatic on field goals below 50 yards (22/23), punter Dustin Colquitt, even though the Chiefs offense is so effective they rarely punt, is solid, and Tyreek Hill, if he returns, is the most dangerous return man in the NFL.If Hill misses time (or is released), Mecole Hardman should handle return duties as capably as Hill.Overall, this team will go as far as Mahomes carries them. Defensive coordinators will now have a full year of film to study on him, so a regression could be coming. If this happens, Kansas City’s Super Bowl dreams could come crashing down.WeaknessesPhoto by David Eulitt/Getty ImagesWhat an offseason it was for Kansas City. The Chiefs lost star running back Kareem Hunt, due to domestic violence issues (even though this was midseason, Mahomes played considerably worse after his departure). They lost starting center Mitch Morse Parris Campbell Jersey , along with receiver Chris Conley on offense, and on defense the Chiefs suffered a number of casualties. Even though they racked up 52 sacks last season, leading the NFL, the Chiefs lost 22 of those in the form of Dee Ford (13) and Justin Houston (9). Adding Frank Clark certainly helps, but the price they paid for him was much too steep, and he comes with certain baggage of his own. KC also lost longtime franchise player Eric Berry, who was the leader of the Chiefs’ defense for the past decade, and #1 corner Steven Nelson, who enjoyed a breakout season. To top it all off, star receiver Tyreek Hill was suspended from team activities indefinitely after a horrible audio recording was released, in which Hill’s fiance can be heard suggesting he not only broke his 3-year-old’s arm, but also also threatened her. Now, the offense does not have the supporting cast around Mahomes it had last season, the offensive line lost its center, and the defense was dismantled. Some players were added, but not enough to cover the holes. The Chiefs’ defense was among the worst in the NFL in nearly all categories except for sacks, and losing 4 starters does not help make things better. While the rest of their division got considerably better in the offseason, the Chiefs got worse. Mahomes will be required to put up 40 points per game somehow in order to keep Kansas City in games, and without the star power he had next to him last season, there has to be some uncertainty on whether he can replicate his historic season.How they match up with the ColtsPhoto by David Eulitt/Getty ImagesThe Chiefs met with the Colts in the Divisional Round last season, with Kansas City dominating Indy in the snow en route to a 31-13 win. The game was extremely frustrating to the Colts, as they fell behind early and inexplicably abandoned the run, which was working just fine. Both teams have changed a lot since that game.In fact, Justin Houston, who had 2 sacks and a fumble recovery for the Chiefs in that game, is now on the Colts, and Indy did a wonderful job at adding athletes on defense that can keep up with the explosive offenses that are being built in the AFC. It will be interesting to see what sort of team KC grows into with all these new faces, but so far, it looks like once again their offense will have to carry them, and without the elite weapons Mahomes had last season, it will not be an easy task. The Colts defense will hopefully be vastly improved, and able to at least slow down KC’s offense. If the Colts’ running game gets going early, which would allow their defense enough rest, then the Colts would be in a nice position to win the game. I’m not as high on the Chiefs as others http://www.coltsfanshop.com/Ben-Banogu-Jersey , considering their horrible offseason, but they are still a threat to be considered in the AFC. With two minutes remaining, the Houston Texans down 24-21 to the Indianapolis Colts and needing a critical stop at midfield on third-and-1, Andrew Luck tried and tried to draw the Texans offside.With the play clock dwindling and the Colts facing having to burn a timeout, Luck gave it one last try.Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney took the bait.The 5-yard penalty gave the Colts a first down and, ultimately, the win. The Colts (7-6) snapped a nine-game winning streak by the Texans (9-4), trimming Houston’s lead over the AFC South to two games with three remaining.Clowney later refused to comment when approached by reporters.“He jumped offsides,” Texans defensive end J.J. Watt said. “I mean, I think we all saw the same thing. I don’t know what you want me to tell you.”Houston’s longtime struggles against the Colts returned Sunday. Their Texans’ winning streak started with a 37-34 overtime win in Indianapolis on Sept. 30, but they returned to prior misfortunes against the AFC South foe, falling to 8-26 all-time against the Colts, including 5-12 at NRG Stadium.“I think the Colts did a good job, but we didn’t play well as an offense,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “It’s always going to be the quarterback, the head coach. I totally understand that, but we just weren’t very good as an offense. We were never able to get into a rhythm.”Indianapolis’ defense gave Houston fits both in the passing and running game. The Colts sacked Watson five times for a loss of 41 yards and held Houston’s rushing offense to just 89 yards on 25 carries.Watson had 267 yards passing and 35 yards rushing. Tight end Ryan Griffin led Houston receivers with 80 yards on five catches, while DeAndre Hopkins was held to 36 yards on four catches, including a late 7-yard touchdown reception that cut the lead to three.“You learn more with a loss than a win,” Watson said. “The wins, you create the mistakes but you won, you celebrate and kind of put them behind. Losses kind of bring out the negative plays. We’ll correct what we need to correct, get back on the same page and move on from it. Maybe it’s a good thing that we ended up losing today, but you never want to lose, you always want to win.“We’ll push forward.”Luck threw for 399 yards and two touchdowns, and receiver T.Y. Hilton piled on 199 yards on nine catches. Hilton entered the game as the all-time leader in receiving yards per game at NRG Stadium with 122.3 yards and finished Sunday just shy of 200 yards with nine catches on 12 targets. In seven career games in Houston, Hilton has topped 100 yards four times, with three of those topping 175 yards.“We just came off a nine-winning streak, so it’s important to not cave your own walls in,” Texans safety Tyrann Mathieu said. “We did some great things this season, and obviously, still have a lot still to play for. We’re not packing our bags quite yet. I think you need to lose every now and then to really get a grip on what teams are trying to do to you.”