Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) at Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
4:35 PM (ET)
NBC
Line: Kansas City +2.5
Kansas City Chiefs Regular Season Review
The Chiefs got out to a really good start this year and surprised the whole league as they went from one of the worst team to one of the best. They went unbeaten for nine games and were looking like the favorite in the AFC. They would end up stumbling into the playoffs after losing three straight to the Broncos twice and the Chargers.
The Chiefs had one of the best defenses in the league this season allowing the fewest points through the first nine weeks of the season. But with players like Eric Berry, Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and a host of others you can’t be surprised. Also with Jamaal Charles carrying the offense and Dexter McCluster returning kicks the Chiefs established themselves as one of the best teams in the league this year.
Indianapolis Colts Regular Season Review
Numbers aside what you really have to be impressed with is the Colts young leader Andrew Luck and his ability to lead this team against top opponents. Like in week five when he lead the Colts to an early season upset win against the Seahawks. Luck had 229 yards passing and two touchdowns in the 34-28 win.
Luck and the Colts were also the first to knock off Peyton Manning and the Broncos in Manning’s return to the house that…..well Peyton built. Luck and the Colts out played the Broncos the whole game getting to Manning several times. Luck had four touchdowns three through the air and one on the ground. Unfortunately this is the same game that Luck and the Colts lost a future Hall of Famer Reggie Wayne to a torn ACL. The Colts still finished the season strong though, including a big week 16 win against their opponent the Kansas City Chiefs.
Chiefs Colts
Passing Offense 210.1 (24th) 232.8 (17th)
Rushing Offense 128.5 (10th) 108.9 (20th)
Scoring Offense 430 (6th) 391 (14th)
Passing Defense 247.6 (25th) 233.3 (15th)
Rushing Defense 120.2 (22nd) 125.1 (26th)
Scoring Defense 305 (5th) 336 (9th)
Turnover Margin 18 (1st AFC) 13 (2nd AFC)
Point Differential 7.8 (6th) 3.4 (10th)
Key Matchups
Colts Special Teams vs. Dexter McCluster: McCluster is an excellent return man and he can put a hurting on you if he isn’t contained.
Chief’s Corners vs T.Y. Hilton: Hilton is an athletic playmaker that can score from anywhere on the field. The Chief’s corners will have their hands full.
Andrew Luck vs Eric Berry: A great young quarterback meets one of the top playmakers in the league. Fasten your seatbelts.
Biggest Mismatch
Jamaal Charles vs the Colts D: The Colts defense has struggled against the run and Charles is without a doubt one of the top running backs in the league. If the Colts can’t get right it can be a big day for Charles.
Fantasy Outlook
The Chiefs defense does a good job at keeping opposing teams from scoring so I don’t anticipate any big games from the Colts. But if Charles can get going he can have a big game on the ground.
Prediction
Chiefs: 17
Colts: 14
This shouldn’t be a high scoring game but these two teams will keep it close and interesting. I’m picking the Chiefs because of their ability to teams out the end zone.
San Diego Chargers (9-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
1:05 P.M.
CBS
Line: San Diego +7
San Diego Chargers Regular Season Review
Chargers franchise quarterback Philip Rivers had an excellent year leading the Chargers to nine wins in one of the top division. He threw for 4,478 yards this year which was good for fourth in the NFL. He got a lot of help from rookie receiver Keenan Allen. He has really cemented himself as this teams number one receiver.
Danny Woodhead was another new Charger had a pretty good year as a receiver. He’s become one of the most dangerous running backs out on a route. He brought in 76 catches for six receiving touchdowns, he also ran for 429 yards and 2 touchdowns. While at the same time Ryan Mathews showed what he can do running for 1255 yards and six touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bengals Regular Season Review
The Bengals continue to try and put a choke hold on the AFC North. They are now possibly the most talented team but they are no doubt the best offense. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and rookie sensation Giovani Bernard did a great job running the ball combining for 1451 yards and 12 touchdowns. And there’s nothing better than watching Andy Dalton and A.J. Green assault defenses through the air. They have become one of the scariest tandems in the NFL.
Cincinnati also did a really good job on the defensive side of the ball as well. The defense totaled an impressive 31 takeaways this season. They also only allowed 305 points all season. This continuing tradition of really good defense in the AFC North mixed with the Bengals excellent offense will be exciting to watch especially as their key players mature.
Chargers Bengals
Passing Offense 270.5 (4th) 258.7 (8th)
Rushing Offense 122.8 (13th) 109.7 (18th)
Scoring Offense 396 (12th) 430 (6th)
Passing Defense 258.7 (29th) 209.0 (5th)
Rushing Defense 107.8 (12th) 96.5 (5th)
Scoring Defense 348 (11th) 305 (5th)
Turnover Margin -4 (9th AFC) 1 (5th AFC)
Point Differential 3.0 (11th) 7.8 (5th)
Key Matchups
Philip Rivers vs the Bengals Secondary: Rivers will face one of the best defenses against the pass this week, definitely won’t be all sunshine and rainbows for the Bengals either.
Ryan Mathews vs the Bengals front seven: The Bengals aren’t the best against the run so either Mathews or the front seven will have to step up play well to give their team the advantage.
Biggest Mismatch
A.J. Green vs the Chargers Secondary: Green is one of the most unstoppable receivers in the the league and the Chargers passing D is well…..let’s just say not very likely to be the ones to stop him.
Fantasy Outlook
Green and Dalton will have a monster day against the weak San Diego defense. I see a couple ESPN Top 10 nominee catches as well.
Prediction
Chargers: 20
Bengals: 35
The Bengals offense very capable of putting points on the board and the Chargers defense isn’t very capable of keeping points off the board. Maybe the Chargers can keep up but I don’t see it happening, Bengals move on in this one.