Colts Can Give Patrick Mahomes Unsightly Career Mark

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is an all-star, but the Indianapolis Colts are a team that knows how to beat him.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles out of the pocket while being pressured by Indianapolis Colts defenders Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Patrick Mahomes has been a revelation for the Kansas City Chiefs since he began his run as the starter for Andy Reid in 2018.

Since then, Mahomes has decimated nearly every opponent he's come across while securing six Pro Bowls, two MVPs, and three Super Bowl championships. However, one team has bested Mahomes in the regular season.

The Indianapolis Colts.

Mahomes is 0-2 against Indy (2019 and 2022), and struggled against the Colts in each of those bouts. Now, this Sunday, Indy has a chance to give Mahomes an ugly 0-3 blemish on his decorated record.

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

When Mahomes dropped games to Indianapolis in 2019 and 2022, they were considered the pinnacle, the zenith, the bosses of the NFL. However, this year is different.

Kansas City is an incredibly uncharacteristic 5-5 heading into their home defense against the Colts at Arrowhead - and if they lose this game, they're essentially bounced out of playoff contention.

Indianapolis mustn't take too deep of a look at the .500 record for Reid's troops, but this squad matches up well with Kansas City.

The Chiefs still possess a solid offense under Mahomes. Currently, they're seventh in passing yards (2,489), 11th in points (254), and 12th in total yards (3,642).

Despite the ground attack being underwhelming (18th in rushing yards - 1,153), Mahomes is still dangerous and possesses pass-catchers like Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice.

As for the protection, the Chiefs have allowed just 20 sacks (t-10th in the NFL), so the Colts will need to overcome the solid offensive line play to press Mahomes.

Luckily, the Colts have cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive madman, Lou Anarumo.

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New Indianapolis Colts Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo speaks during a press conference Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 at the Colts practice facility, the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. | Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Indianapolis also might get back star cornerback Charvarius Ward, which would give Anarumo two lockdown cornerbacks to toss in with top-level nickel corner, Kenny Moore II.

These three defensive weapons don't bode well for Mahomes, especially given his lack of real pass-catching threats outside of Kelce and Rice. But, while the players matter here, Anarumo vs. Mahomes is more important.

Anarumo's wild schemes have befuddled Mahomes. This has resulted in Mahomes going 2-3 against Anarumo in his illustrious tenure.

Sep 25, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) high fives a fan after the game against the against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

While Indy ranks 23rd in passing yards allowed (2,353), it's more of a reflection of teams needing to play from behind, therefore passing heavily to catch up to Shane Steichen's powerful offense.

Indy's defense has flown under the radar and is tied for eighth in total points allowed (206). Indy has also sacked quarterbacks 29 times, which is tied for seventh. In short, Indy has a good defense, and now it might have a ridiculous trio of cornerbacks to follow.

In short, this will be a difficult game for both teams, and is a pure chess match between Steichen and Reid's Einstein-level offensive brilliance.

However, an overlooked faceoff is Mahomes and Anarumo, and the veteran defensive coach has had Mahomes' number more often than not.

If Indianapolis can take out Mahomes, they not only give the Chiefs an unheard of 5-6 record, but hand Mahomes a brutal 0-3 record in the regular season against the franchise.

If the Colts win, they establish themselves as a team that wasn't winning with a lax schedule. However, if the Chiefs drop this, they'll be viewed as a powerhouse that might be seeing the early stages of its downfall.