After successive losses either side of their week 10 bye, falling to the Buffalo Bills prior, and the Denver Broncos afterwards, the season has gotten to a critical point for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lying out of the playoffs – if the postseason started today – and third in the AFC West, Andy Reid and co have much to do if they are to salvage a season that saw them win 5/6 games from weeks 3 – 8 before stumbling over the past few weeks.
The team have a mixed, but very winnable end-of-season schedule, which includes bouts against the Cowboys, Texans, Titans and all three divisional opponents – Denver, LA and the Raiders.
Having already lost five games, and with ascending teams like the Ravens and Texans getting back on the horse after difficult starts – who are also looking to enter the playoff spots – KC can ill afford to drop many more games.
Yet, this week presents one of the team’s more difficult challenges in the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts, who have arguably the best QB-RB tandem in football in the reinvigorated Daniel Jones alongside Jonathan Taylor, who is playing the best ball of his career.
Chiefs Opponent Have QB Land On Week 12 Injured Report
However, ahead of week 12’s game, the Colts added Daniel Jones to the injury report with a calf injury.
“Colts added Daniel Jones to their injury report today with a calf injury.” ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted on X.
Jones joins defensive ends, Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis on the list. Although the good news for Indianapolis – and bad for Kansas City – is that former cornerback, Chavarius Ward, was designated to return off of IR, where he has been for over a month with a concussion.
Ward las played for the Colts in week 5’s destruction of the Las Vegas Raiders, 40-6, and was a full participant in practice.
What Will It Mean For The Chiefs If Daniel Jones Does Not Play?
Jones’ unrecognizable form, which has seen him throw for 2,659 yards for 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, at a 69.9% completion rate – all for a 101.6 passer rating – has made him one of the biggest surprise breakout players of the season.
In fact, were it not for a terrible, 3-interception performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 9, Jones would have just 4 picks on the year.
The Chiefs are small, 3-point favorite against the Colts per the betting market – but sans Jones, the job gets substantially tougher for Indy – as they would be forced to turn to sixth round rookie, Riley Leonard – as regular backup and former #4 overall pick, Anthony Richardson.
KC already have the 7th ranked total defense in the league, claiming their usual spot as a top-10 unit in the NFL – lead by the man many regard as the best defensive coordinator in football. To have Leonard face a defense of that calibre in one of the loudest, overbearing arenas in football at Arrowhead would be an almighty challenge for any rookie – particularly a day-3 pick.
Jones is far from being considered as a doubt to play, given that the line has remained at 3 points. But it is perhaps not an understatement to say that the former New York Giant‘s availability this weekend could have a major impact on the direction of the Chiefs’ season.
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