A lot has changed for Indianapolis in the intervening 10 months, most notably because Andrew Luck announced his retirement shortly before the start of the season.
Without their star quarterback, the Colts have started the season with a respectable 2-2 record, which is shared by the other three AFC South teams.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, have picked up where they left off last season. Kansas City is 4-0—the only team still unbeaten in the NFL along with the Patriots—and has looked every bit the Super Bowl contender everyone expected it to be.
Patrick Mahomes leads the league in passing yards with 1,510 through four games at an average of 9.7 yards per play.
The reigning MVP averages 377.5 yards per game, over 40 more than the next closest quarterback—Atlanta Falcons’ signal caller Matt Ryan.
Last week, Mahomes went 24-of-42 for 315 yards as the Chiefs beat the Lions in Detroit 34-30.
After throwing at least two touchdown passes in 14 consecutive games, the third-year quarterback failed to extend his streak to 15.
“They [Indianapolis] found a way to take away some of the stuff that we like to do,” Mahomes, who rushed for 52 yards, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. “They hadn’t lost a game for a reason.”
Should he pass for at least 300 yards on Sunday, Mahomes would become only the fourth player in history after Kurt Warner, Steve Young and Peyton Manning to throw for at least 300 yards in each of the first five games of the season—Ryan could also break the record.
Considering the Colts rank 16th in total defense and have allowed 363 yards per game this season so far, the Chiefs quarterback could well join the illustrious list.
Despite not throwing for a touchdown against the Lions, Mahomes still leads the league in touchdown passes this season with 10, along with Lamar Jackson and Jacoby Brissett, who will lead the Colts on Sunday.
The 26-year-old completed 24 of his 46 passes on Sunday, throwing for 265 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Despite his effort, the Colts fell 31-24 to Oakland at home, losing in Indianapolis against the Raiders for the first time in 18 years.
With wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and Devin Funchess out injured, the Colts struggled to get going and were punished for a lack of composure offensively.
“We couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start than we did today,” Colts coach Frank Reich said in his post-game press conference. “We were three-and-out and they were scoring touchdowns.”
Here’s all you need to know ahead of Sunday.
When and where is the game?
The Kansas City Chiefs host the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday, October 6.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET.
TV coverage
The game will be broadcast nationally by NBC.
Live stream
A live stream will be available via NBC’s digital platform and the NBC Sports app, as well as via NFL Network online, on connected devices and fuboTV.
Form
The Chiefs are the only team along with the New England Patriots to be 4-0 after winning 34-30 on the road against the Detroit Lions last week. Indianapolis, meanwhile, dropped to 2-2 after losing 34-27 in Oakland against the Raiders.
Injury record
Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher and linebacker Dorian O’Daniel did not practice on Wednesday, while wide receiver Tyreek Hill and running back LeSean McCoy took part in limited practice and remain in doubt for Sunday.
The Colts could be without wide receivers Parris Campbell and T.Y. Hilton, who did not practice on Wednesday as they recover from an abdominal and quadricep injury respectively.
Long-term absentees Devi Funchess and Malik Hooker are also out, as are Daurice Fountain and Javon Patterson.
Series record
Indianapolis leads the all-time series 12-9 and has won two of the last three regular season meetings against the Chiefs, losing the most recent meeting 30-14 in October 2016.
Kansas City beat Indianapolis 31-13 in the divisional round of the playoffs last season, on its way to the AFC Championship Game.
Odds
According to Oddschecker, the Chiefs are 10.5-point favorite and are 91/100 to win and cover the spread, while the Colts are 21/5 underdogs.
The over/under bar in terms of total points scored is set at 43.