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Anatomy of an upset: How Colts knocked off Chiefs

Ten-point underdogs stun previously unbeaten KC with staunch defense, smashmouth rushing in Sunday night stunner.

If waking up Monday morning still in a state of disbelief about the Indianapolis Colts’ 19-13 upset of the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium, you’re not alone.

Few outside of the Colts locker room thought this was possible.

The script for a 10-point underdog missing several key defenders including its leader going into one of the NFL’s most hostile environments and shutting down the league’s best offense and reigning MVP is far-fetched, to say the least.

But the Colts somehow did it.

“It says how special we are and how special we can be,” Colts pass rusher Justin Houston said after a triumphant homecoming against his former team.

Rather than waste space wondering where this kind of effort was a week ago in a bad home loss to the Oakland Raiders, we’re too often reminded that the NFL is all about the here and now. Right here, right now, the Colts proved themselves worthy as a playoff contender with an inspired effort.

At 3-2 entering a bye week, the Colts are tied with the Houston Texans atop the AFC South Division. They have a week to rest too many injuries and then begin a stretch of four out of five at home at Lucas Oil Stadium, starting with the Texans.

While optimism abounds after such a memorable outcome, there are still plenty of tough games ahead. Someone tweeted that the Colts are now Super Bowl contenders. Let’s hold off on scheduling a parade just yet.

But the win over the Chiefs is a blueprint for how the Colts can succeed. As shaky as the Colts defense has been this season, especially without linebacker Darius Leonard, the NFL’s 2018 tackle leader who has missed the past three games with a concussion, the unit stepped up big time with four sacks and eight hits on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Any upset starts with defense and the Colts were able to minimize Mahomes with constant pocket pressure. That’s saying something when considering the Colts didn’t have a sack in the previous two games and Mahomes had taken just three in the previous four games.

The other side of the equation was a Colts offense that relied on pounding a shakier Chiefs defense for 180 yards rushing. Running back Marlon Mack, who was seemingly in doubt because of an ankle injury, amassed 132 yards on a career-high 29 carries.

Most importantly, the Colts monopolized time of possession, holding the ball for 37 minutes, 15 seconds to the Chiefs’ 22:45. That’s how you stop the Chiefs’ record streak of 25 consecutive games with 25 points scored and limit Mahomes to his lowest scoring output in 22 career starts.

“The mentality was we are going to do whatever it takes,” Colts head coach Frank Reich said, “but it sure helps when you can run the ball like that.”

Yes, it sure does. That smashmouth success enabled the Colts to overcome their own share of shortcomings.

Who could have thought that a defense missing both of its starting safeties and reduced for a spell to playing an undrafted rookie cornerback just promoted from the practice squad could get away with checking the Chiefs in man-to-man coverage? That’s not been the Colts’ strong suit leading up to this game.

But defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus knew his scheme couldn’t rely on the usual soft zone looks. Mahomes would have picked the Colts apart. So you tell your defenders to man up and hope for the best.

What helped was a couple of key plays. Safety George Odum stripped the ball from LeSean McCoy at the Colts’ 14 after the Chiefs running back had gained 21 yards on a screen pass with the game tied at 10 in the second quarter. Colts rookie linebacker Bobby Okereke recovered for a key turnover.

The other defensive play that stands out came from Houston, who sped in around the edge to drop Damien Williams for a 1-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 rush at the Chiefs’ 34 with 5:16 remaining. The Chiefs trailed 16-10 at the time, so a touchdown drive could have been the difference.

But Houston’s stop set up kicker Adam Vinatieri’s fourth field goal to provide a two-score cushion.

This was the kind of effort that Houston needed, too. He had one sack in the previous four games. Much is expected when a pass rusher is signed to a two-year, $24.4 million contract. The Houston that returned to Arrowhead Stadium this night was the guy who earned four Pro Bowl honors while playing for the Chiefs.

“Obviously, I am happy for all of us,” Reich said, “but I am especially happy for him.”

So enjoy the bye week, Colts Nation. Your team has provided plenty to smile about.