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Week 18 Game Recap: Kansas City Chiefs 8, Indianapolis Colts 23What you need to know
The Chiefs were held to 16 yards of net offense in the first half, and did not register a first down until 11 minutes had passed in the third quarter. Trent Green completed two passes for a total of two yards in the first half. He was more successful after the break, throwing a touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez, but he also had two passes intercepted and lost a fumble. In a huge surprise, Larry Johnson was held to 32 rushing yards on 13 carries and could not penetrate a much improved Colts’ defense. He added 29 receiving yards on five catches. Dante Hall was the only wide receiver to catch a pass for the Chiefs, and he ended the game with two receptions for 12 yards. Tony Gonzalez had four receptions, including a six yard touchdown. The Chiefs played very well on defense in the first half, and intercepted Peyton Manning three times in the game. But they eventually wore down as the Colts dominated time of possession.
The Colts held the ball for almost 40 minutes. Despite a stuttering offensive display, the improved defense was able to lead the team to a win. Peyton Manning completed 30 of 38 passes, but also threw three interceptions. He did find Reggie Wayne for a touchdown, and Manning settled for short gains once the Colts had established a lead. Joseph Addai made his first career start for the Colts, and played very well. He carried 25 times and gained 122 yards and a touchdown. Dominic Rhodes saw action later in the game and helped the Colts gain 188 net rushing yards on the day. Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne were only targeted a total of 11 times. Wayne had the only Colts’ receiving touchdown of the game after catching a five yard pass from Peyton Manning. Dallas Clark had a big game with nine receptions for 103 yards. The Colts played an excellent game on defense, holding the Chiefs to 16 net yards and no first downs in the first half. The run defense looked improved with the return of Bob Sanders, and the Chiefs only managed 44 net rushing yards on the day.
What you ought to know
Green struggled for most of the game. He only attempted seven passes in the first half, completing two for a total of two yards. Green was sacked and fumbled the ball on the Chiefs’ third drive, but they were able to recover. On the following possession, Green slipped after taking a snap at the Colts’ two yard line and was tackled for a loss of three yards. The Chiefs had to settle for a field goal try which they missed. Green was fortunate not to be intercepted on the Chiefs’ final drive of the first half when Gary Brackett dropped a pass intended for Tony Gonzalez. The Chiefs gained their opening first down of the game with under four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Green led the team on a 60 yard drive and found Tony Gonzalez for a six yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. Green also completed a two point conversion to Kris Wilson. As the Chiefs chased the game, Green threw two interceptions. The first was picked off by Bob Sanders when Green attempted to find Eddie Kennison on a deep pass, and the second was caught by Antoine Bethea after Green tried to find Eric Parker late in the game. Green also lost a fumble after being stripped by Robert Mathis.
Johnson did not find much running room against the Colts’ defense. He carried a season-low 13 times for a total of 32 yards, and did not have a gain over six yards. Johnson was responsible for two short first down runs. He was involved in the passing game, catching all five of his targets for a total of 29 yards. Johnson had a chance to score in the first half after the Chiefs took an interception to the nine yard line. He had a six yard run to the three, and then gained a yard, but the team tried to pass on third down and Trent Green slipped and was tackled for a loss.
Bennett had his only carry of the game in the fourth quarter and gained a yard. He was targeted once, making the catch for a 12 yard gain and a first down.
Hall was the Chiefs’ only wide receiver to register a catch in the game. He dropped his first target and failed to make the catch on a deep pass, but caught two balls for a total of 12 yards. Hall also had two catches behind the line of scrimmage, and was credited with two runs for a total of 14 yards.
Kennison was targeted deep on the Chiefs’ opening drive, but the pass fell incomplete. He then dropped the ball on third down on the following drive. Kennison was targeted just once in the second half after gaining a step on the defender, but the pass was too short and Bob Sanders jumped in to make the interception.
Parker was targeted once in the game on the Chiefs’ final possession. Antoine Bethea anticipated the pass and jumped in front of Parker to make an interception.
Gonzalez had the Chiefs’ longest reception of the first half, but it was only a four yard gain. He dropped his next target and the third was almost intercepted. He had to help out as a blocker, especially in the first half, in an attempt to stop Dwight Freeney from pressuring Trent Green. Gonzalez gave the team its opening first down of the game with 3:38 remaining in the third quarter, making a six yard catch. At the end of the drive, Green found Gonzalez in the right corner of the end zone for a six yard touchdown. Gonzalez had another reception for a nine yard gain, but dropped his final target which would have converted on third down.
Wilson made a leaping catch for a 24 yard reception in the second half, and it turned out to be the Chiefs’ longest play of the game. He also had a five yard reception, and then made the catch on a two point conversion try.
Tynes attempted a 23 yard field goal in the first half, but he hit the left upright and the kick was no good.
The Chiefs’ defense was on the field a lot as the Colts held the ball for almost 40 minutes. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes both had success on the ground, and the Colts gained 188 net rushing yards. The Chiefs allowed 13 first downs to the run, and Addai scored on a six yard run in the second half. Derrick Johnson suffered from cramp in the third quarter but stayed in the game. Jimmy Wilkerson missed time in the second half with an apparent knee injury.
The Chiefs gave up 247 net passing yards, but did come up with three interceptions to stay in the game until the fourth quarter. Ty Law had two of the picks, and Jarrad Page had the other. The defense tried to take Harrison and Wayne out of the game, and the two were only targeted a combined 11 times on the day. But that meant there was room for Manning to complete passes underneath, and the defense allowed 103 receiving yards to Dallas Clark. Reggie Wayne scored a five yard touchdown to seal the win for the Colts after the defender was caught out by a pump fake from Manning.
Manning completed 30 of his 38 passes, but he will be relieved to get the win after throwing three interceptions. Things started well enough as the Colts scored a field goal on their opening drive. Manning hit Marvin Harrison for a 42 yard gain on the next possession, but failed to convert on two plays from the two yard line. Manning targeted Dallas Clark in the end zone on one of the plays but threw the ball over his head. On the Colts’ third drive, Manning and Harrison were not on the same page, and Ty Law intercepted a pass intended for Harrison. Manning was intercepted again later in the half as he targeted Aaron Moorehead in the end zone, only to see Jarrad Page jump in front of the receiver to make the catch. In the second half, Manning seemed more patient. He appeared content to take what was offered underneath, and Dallas Clark caught nine of his 10 targets in the game. But another miscommunication between Manning and Harrison resulted in a second interception for Ty Law. Manning and Harrison could be seen on the sidelines discussing what had gone wrong. Manning recovered and threw a five yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne for the only Colts’ passing touchdown of the game. After the game, Manning accepted responsibility for the two miscommunications with Marvin Harrison.
Addai had his first career start for the Colts, and did well. He had gains of ten yards and nine yards for two first downs on the Colts’ opening possession. On the following drive, Addai was given the ball at the Chiefs’ two yard line but was stopped after a one yard gain. Addai gained 60 yards on the ground in the first half, and also had a 16 yard reception to end the half with seven first downs. On the Colts’ second possession after the interval, Addai was again heavily featured. He had a seven yard reception for a first down, and then had runs of ten yards, four yards and 14 yards for three more first downs. He finished the drive with a six yard touchdown run but was injured on the play. The injury did not appear serious and Addai was probable to return, but Dominic Rhodes finished the game at running back for the Colts.
Rhodes did not touch the ball until the Colts’ fourth possession after starting all 16 regular season games. He had an immediate impact, making tacklers miss and gaining 25 yards on his first carry. He then gained 11 yards and another first down on his next carry. Rhodes had 10 carries in the second half, and finished the game for the Colts after Addai suffered a minor injury. Rhodes gained two first downs on the Colts’ third possession of the second half, with a two yard run and a 15 yard reception. The drive ended in a Reggie Wayne touchdown.
Wayne was targeted three times in each half. He made a five yard reception on his first target, but dropped the next. On third and 22, Wayne made a spectacular one-handed catch, but could only gain nine of the required yards. In the second half, Wayne had two first downs on the opening drive with receptions of six yards and 11 yards. Two possessions later, Manning confused the defender with a pump fake and found Wayne open in the back of the end zone for a five yard score.
Moorehead had an eight yard gain on his first target. He was targeted again on the Colts’ fifth drive as Manning looked for him in the end zone, but the ball was thrown behind Moorehead and Jarrad Page jumped in for an interception. Moorehead caught his only target of the second half for a ten yard gain and a first down.
Harrison was targeted deep on the Colts’ opening possession, but he was unable to make the catch. He was more successful on his next deep target, making the catch for a 42 yard gain for the Colts’ longest play of the game. But Harrison’s final target of the half resulted in a miscommunication. He ran a different route to the one that Manning had anticipated, and Ty Law made an interception. Harrison only saw one target in the second half, and the result was the same. He again ran an unexpected route and Manning was intercepted by Law. Harrison could be seen flexing his wrist after one play, but he remained in the game.
Clark had a big role in the game. He was involved underneath, over the middle, and lined up occasionally in the slot. He had a ten yard reception for a first down on the Colts’ opening drive, and an eight yard catch to convert a third down on the next drive. He was then targeted in the end zone, but the ball was thrown over his head. Clark converted on third and 18 with a deep 21 yard catch on the following drive. He had another first down catch on the Colts’ final possession of the half, gaining 12 yards to help set up a successful field goal try. Clark was targeted three times in the second half, making all three catches with two first downs.
Utecht was targeted four times in the first half. He gained seven yards on the first, and then had an 11 yard gain for a first down negated by a penalty. He had a ten yard reception for a first down on his next target.
Fletcher caught a short pass on his only target but was tackled for a four yard loss.
Vinatieri is still perfect at home for the Colts. He made field goals from 48 yards, 19 yards and 50 yards, as well as both extra point attempts. His only error came when a kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Chiefs the ball at their own 40.
The Colts’ run defense was the surprise of the game and dramatically affected the outcome by holding down Larry Johnson. They were immediately challenged by Larry Johnson on the opening drive, and they were able to meet it head on. Bob Sanders returned to help solidify things, and Johnson was held to a season-low 13 carries for 32 rushing yards. The Colts tackled well and were quick to the ball, giving up just two first downs and restricting Larry Johnson to a long gain of six yards.
The pass defense did not concede a first down in the first half of the game, holding Trent Green to two completions for a total of two yards. It was the first time since 1960 that a playoff team failed to gain a first down in the first half. Dwight Freeney had two sacks and a forced fumble, and a sack split between Bo Schobel and Robert Mathis resulted in a fumble which the Colts recovered. The defense allowed one touchdown to Tony Gonzalez, but did a great job for most of the game. Antoine Bethea intercepted a Trent Green pass at the end of the game to seal the victory.
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