Game: Kansas City @ Indianapolis

 

Preview: Alex Smith and the Chiefs visit Lucas Oil Stadium to take on Andrew Luck and the Colts in an AFC wild-card game. Coming into this week, the Colts have a 3-game win streak along with a 23-7 victory at Kansas City on December 22nd. The Chiefs on the other hand, they are coming into this week with two straight losses and looking to break a 7-game playoff losing streak.

The Colts are 11-5 and have only allowed 20 points in the last three games including the 23-7 victory at Kansas City.

The Colts are really hoping to have a hot streak to take them a distance in the playoffs. "I think if you check the last 6 Super Bowl winners, they got hot at the right time," Indianapolis defensive end Robert Mathis said. "That's what it's all about, getting hot at the right time."

A player to watch during today's contest is Wide Receiver T.Y. Hilton, who recorded 82 receptions, 1,083 yards, and 5 touchdowns after taking over for Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne who had a season ending injury (ACL) in week 7 against the Broncos.

The Chiefs are 11-5 and have lost two in a row. In week 17 they expect a few players to return as they look forward to break this 7-game playoff losing streak. The players expecting to return are Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe (Concussion), Linebacker Justin Houston (dislocated elbow) and Left Tackle Braden Albert (hyperextended knee).

"It's the start of a new season, that's how the playoffs work," Reid said. "You're in the dance, as they say. It's another phase of the season. You've worked very hard as a team to get into this position. Now it's important that you exhaust yourself to make sure you're right."

A player to watch for Kansas City is running back Jamaal Charles. He recorded 259 carries, 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he also is the season leader in receptions for Kansas City with 70 receptions, 693 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Spread: Pk

Prediction: I would have to take a Colts victory over the Chiefs, 24-17. The Chiefs' biggest threat is Jamaal Charles. If the Colts can shut him down, they would hold the Chiefs to little points.

Injury Report:

Chiefs

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Game Status
Albert, Branden	T	Knee	FP	FP	FP	probable
Bowe, Dwayne	WR	Concussion	FP	FP	FP	probable
Fisher, Eric	OT	Groin/Shoulder	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Hali, Tamba	LB	Knee	DNP	DNP	LP	questionable
Houston, Justin	LB	Elbow	FP	FP	FP	probable
Kush, Eric	OL	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	probable
Parker, Ron	DB	Finger/Ankle	FP	FP	FP	probable

Colts

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Game Status
Brown, Sergio	FS	Groin	FP	FP	FP	probable
Butler, Darius	CB	Quad	FP	FP	FP	probable
Davis, Vontae	CB	Groin	FP	FP	FP	probable
Franklin, Aubrayo	NT	Knee	DNP	FP	FP	questionable
Heyward-Bey, Darrius	WR	Hamstring	LP	FP	FP	probable
Jean Francois, Ricky	DT	Foot	FP	FP	FP	probable
Mathis, Robert	OLB	Rest	FP	FP	FP	probable
McGlynn, Mike	G/C	Elbow	FP	FP	FP	probable
Moala, Fili	DE	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	questionable
Redding, Cory	DE	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	probable
Toler, Greg	CB	Groin	FP	FP	FP	probable
Werner, Bjoern	OLB	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	probable