There should not be a feeling of urgency just because a team loses its opening game. However, in the case of the Indianapolis Colts, that is not the situation. After a brutal close to the 2025 season that saw them fall apart after getting off to an 8-2 start, a message was sent in the offseason by owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon. The Colts needed to play with consistency and show they could compete with the best teams in the NFL.

Their performance in Week 1 was largely brutal. The Colts absorbed a 41-23 beating from the new-look Baltimore Ravens, and the Colts absorbed a physical beating. The Colts are not the first team that has been overpowered by Derrick Henry, but it is not a good sign for the defense as they head into a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City has quite a bit to prove this season after losing their position as the AFC's most dominant team, and the Chiefs got started in impressive fashion. They pummeled the Denver Broncos 31-10. Patrick Mahomes made what many believe is a near-miraculous comeback from last December's ACL injury and appeared to be healthy and in good form.

However, it was newcomer Kenneth Walker III who was the most impressive performer on the field. The former Seahawk was the MVP in Super Bowl LX last February and he had 23 carries for 173 yards and a touchdown in his first game for the Chiefs.

That's bad news for the Colts. After getting hammered by Henry, now they have to try to stop the explosive Walker.

Colts vs. Chiefs Odds

Colts: +6.5 (-105)

Chiefs: -6.5 (-115)

Over/Under: 46.5 points (Over -105; Under -115)

Colts vs. Chiefs Key Injuries

The most notable injury the Colts have is to wide receiver Alec Pierce. He has a heel issue that kept him from practicing Thursday. Running back D.J. Giddens was also unable to practice as a result of a knee injury. Wide receiver Ashton Dulin did not practice Wednesday or Thursday as a result of an ankle injury.

The Chiefs did not have left tackle Josh Simmons participate in practice Wednesday or Thursday as a result of a back issue. Starting strong safety Chamarri Conner also missed practice both days because of a knee injury. Star DT Chris Jones has a calf injury that limited him both days, while cornerback L'Jarius Sneed was a full participant Wednesday but limited Thursday because of a knee injury.

Colts vs. Chiefs Betting Trends

The Colts are 18-11 all-time against the Chiefs.
The Colts were 8-9 straight up last season, but 9-7-1 ATS.
The Colts are 0-8 straight up in their last eight games, but 3-5 ATS.
The Chiefs were 6-11 straight up and ATS last season.
The Chiefs were 5-9 straight up as favorites last season, and 4-10 ATS.
The Chiefs closed the 2025 season on a 6-game losing streak. They were 1-5 ATS in those games.

Keys to Colts vs. Chiefs Matchup

The Colts may be catching the Chiefs at the wrong time. After a brutal season a year ago, the Chiefs served notice that they were not going to be anybody's whipping boy this season as they defeated the defending AFC West champions by three touchdowns.

There is little doubt that Andy Reid was unhappy with the Chiefs downturn last year, and the idea was to bring in a prime running back to support Mahomes. Walker may have been even better in the season opener than he was in the Super Bowl, and the Chiefs will attempt to let him establish a dynamic identity on the ground.

If he is successful, that will take tremendous pressure off of Mahomes. While he is in the lineup and he displayed excellent straight-ahead speed when running through the Denver defense on his first-quarter TD run, the Chiefs don't want to ask him to do too much early in the season as he regains his best form.

He will get the ball to wideouts Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice along with tight end Travis Kelce. It will be much easier for Mahomes if Walker and backup Emmett Johnson can provide a consistent ground attack.

That should not be an issue in this game because the Colts are vulnerable defensively. They gave up 506 yards and the Ravens averaged 7.9 yards per snap.

If the Colts are going to battle the Chiefs and competed for 60 minutes, much of it will be on the shoulders of running back Jonathan Taylor. He is coming off an impressive game against the Ravens as he rushed for 98 yards and 2 TDs on 19 carries.

It won't be easy to run on Kansas City as the Chiefs allowed just 176 total yards, and only 61 came on the ground.

Colts vs. Chiefs Prediction and Pick

The Chiefs are clearly determined to put last year's disaster in the past. A great start does not guarantee that the Chiefs will turn it around and return to the playoffs, but they should be able to make it two wins in a row to start the season.

The Colts had a painful home loss in their season opener, and now they have to go to Kansas City. The Colts may recover at some point this season, but it won't be here.

Prediction: Chiefs 28, Colts 13