Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) at Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

4:25 PM EST

NBC

Line: Colts (-2.5)

Kansas City Chiefs Regular Season Review:

The Kansas City Chiefs have had quite the turnaround season this year.  After finishing in last place of the AFC West with a 2-14 record just a year ago, they now find themselves back in the playoffs with an 11-5 record.  The Chiefs battled the Denver Broncos all season for the division title, and in the end came up a bit short, but are playing in the playoffs nonetheless.  

This year, Smith and head coach Andy Reid have made all the difference in KC.  Quarterback Alex Smith, threw for 3,313 yards for 23 touchdowns this season.  Runningback Jamaal Charles also had quite the year for the Chiefs with his 259 carries for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns.  

The Chiefs started the season 9-0, but lost five of their last seven.  Their defense seemed to tire out towards the end of the year as they gave up 15.4 more points per game within those last seven games.  

Indianapolis Colts Regular Season Review:

The Colts are in the playoffs for the second year in a row, but this time they are the AFC South Division Champs.  Only two years ago, the Colts had the worst record in the league, but were able to quickly get back to their winning ways with the help of quarterback Andrew Luck and head coach Chuck Pagano.

Luck has now had two very impressive seasons in the NFL.  This year Luck threw for 3,822 yards with 23 touchdown passes.  The 24-year-old quarterback continues to prove he is one of  the best young players in the league.  The offense has clicked and the Colts committed a league-low 14 turnovers this year.

Last year the Colts also had 11 wins, but they were a wildcard team, and lost to the Baltimore Ravens 24-9.  

Statistical Breakdown:

                                            Chiefs                     Colts

Passing Offense               208.8 (24th)                232.8 (17th)

Rushing Offense              128.5 (10th)                108.9 (20th)

Scoring Offense               430 (6th)                     391 (14th)

Passing Defense              247.6 (25th)                231.9 (13th)

Rushing Defense             120.2 (22nd)                125.1 (26th)

Scoring Defense              305 (27th)                    336 (24th)

Turnover Margin               18                               13

Point Differential              125 (6th)                      55 (10th)

Key Matchups:

Jamaal Charles vs Colts run defense: The Colts don’t have the best run defense as they allowed an average of 125.1 rushing yards per game.  Charles is one of the best running backs in the league and is more than capable of making explosive plays.

Andrew Luck vs Chiefs Passing Defense: Luck has been known to throw the deep passes, which could be an issue for the Chiefs secondary.

Biggest Mismatch:

Alex Smith vs Colts Passing Defense The Colts have a good pass defense and Alex Smith isn’t the type of quarterback to throw for many yards in a game, but he may have to this Saturday.

Prediction

Chiefs: 24

Colts: 27

This should be a close game between two closely matched teams.  The Colts will have home field advantage which is always preferred in the playoffs.  Indianapolis beat all the top teams during the regular season such as the Broncos, Niners, Seahawks, and these Chiefs.  The Colts are an improved team from last year and have a real good chance to take this game and move on to the next round.  It may even come down to a field goal, and who better to have in that situation than Adam Vinatieri?