The Kansas City Chiefs will look to stick in the win column on Sunday night with a prime-time matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Here are five things to keep in mind heading into game day.
1. Here's a look at the final injury report for both teams.
Kansas City will be without left tackle Josh Simmons (back) and safety Chamarri Conner (knee) for a second consecutive week on Sunday night, while defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) and cornerback Mansoor Delane (shoulder) are listed as "Questionable" for the game.
Regarding Jones, Head Coach Andy Reid said that he "thinks we'll be OK there" following Friday's practice.
As for Indianapolis, wide receiver Alec Pierce – the only player to average more than 20 yards-per-catch across the NFL last season – doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game, but he did miss Thursday's practice as he manages a heel injury. His status will be one to watch as the game unfolds.
2. Can the Chiefs' rushing attack turn in another big night?
Kansas City amassed its top rushing performance in five seasons last week, churning out 220 yards on the ground behind a career-night by tailback Ken Walker.
Walker tallied personal bests in terms of rushing yards (173) and scrimmage yards (191), ripping off two runs of 20+ yards while breaking a league-most 14 tackles. It was nothing short of a remarkable debut for the veteran running back, and it kept the Broncos' vaunted pass-rush from having much of an impact on the outcome.
Additionally, what made Walker's performance all the more impressive is that it took place against the Denver Broncos. Denver allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL last season at just 91.1 yards-per-game – a figure that Walker nearly doubled all by himself.
So, heading into Week 2, what does Walker and the rest of the Chiefs' running game have for an encore? Well, for what it's worth, Indianapolis struggled to stop the run last week.
The Colts surrendered 202 rushing yards to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, and notably, 99 of those yards took place when Indianapolis was deploying a heavy box (with eight or more defenders).
Indianapolis was among the top run-defenses in the NFL last year in terms of average yards allowed-per-carry, but some notable departures – including linebacker Zaire Franklin – have thrust some young players into crucial roles. Regardless of last week's performance, however, Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo is one of the best in the business and will surely have some adjustments in store.
That matchup between Anarumo's young defenders and the Chiefs' suddenly electric running game will be one of the major storylines to watch on Sunday night.
3. Kansas City has to find a way to contain Colts tailback Jonathan Taylor.
The Colts were off to a sizzling start in 2025, racing out to an 8-2 record while boasting one of the top scoring offenses in the NFL. A crucial component of that success was Indianapolis' ability to stay on schedule offensively, as the Colts averaged more than seven yards-per-play on first down through Week 8 last year, and the engine behind that performance was tailback Jonathan Taylor.
Through Week 10 of last season, Taylor led the NFL in rushing by more than 200 yards while averaging a ridiculous 6.03 yards-per-carry. Several factors impacted the Colts' offensive performance as the season went on though, and following a 58-yard outing against the Chiefs in Week 12, he didn't top 100 yards in another game all season.
Taylor – who leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns since the beginning of last year – remains one of the league's top playmakers, however, and containing the Colts' offense begins with limiting his impact.
4. Was the Chiefs' success as a pass-rush on Monday night a sign of things to come?
Kansas City's new-look pass-rush introduced itself in a big way on Monday night, racking up four sacks while pressuring Broncos' quarterback Bo Nix on 51.5% of his dropbacks.
Those numbers were terrific – particualry against a stout offensive line such as Denver's – but what really stood out was how the Chiefs generated that pressure. Kansas City managed to impact the passing game with only four rushers on several occasions throughout Monday's game while also mixing in a variety of designed blitzes from every which direction.
Specifically, 15 different players recorded a pressure in Monday's game, five of which recorded multiple pressures. That effort helped Kansas City hold Denver to just 176 total yards and a 2-for-12 mark on third down last week.
The Chiefs will now try to replicate that formula against a Colts' offense that allowed a 41.2% pressure rate on quarterback Daniel Jones last week. Jones, who missed the last several games of last season due to a torn Achillies tendon, struggled when pressured last week, completing just 3-of-11 passes for nine yards on 14 pressured dropbacks.
Kansas City's ability to disrupt Jones' timing in the passing game – coupled with containing Jonathan Taylor – will be the key on Sunday, just as the Chiefs did last week against Denver.
5. The Chiefs are back in prime time for a second week in a row.
If Kansas City's back-to-back appearances on the national stage to open the season feels a little unusual, that's because it is.
In fact, the Chiefs are set to become just the second team in NFL history to open the season with consecutive prime-time games at home, joining the 1978 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's also worth pointing out that Tampa Bay's prime-time contests that year were both on a Saturday, so Kansas City's start this season – a Monday Night Football appearance followed by a showing on Sunday Night Football, both at home – is a first in NFL history.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes improved to 30-13 in prime time on Monday night, which ranks as the second-best record among all quarterbacks with at least 10 prime-time starts since 2000. Only Peyton Manning, which a 47-17 record, owns a better mark.
Mahomes will have an opportunity to add to his record this weekend as the Chiefs aim to stick in the win column on Sunday Night Football.
