The Colts entered Week 3 as one of the AFC’s biggest disappointments, coming off a shutout loss to the rival Jaguars. On Sunday, they were one of the biggest surprises. Facing a potential 0-2-1 start and facing the undefeated Chiefs, Indianapolis instead mounted their defense against Patrick Mahomes and Co. in a 20-17 upset.
New Colts quarterback Matt Ryan, whose three interceptions in Week 2 underscored the club’s poor start to 2022, opened Sunday’s game unable to move Indy down the field. Immediately after, however, Chiefs rookie Skyy Moore fumbled the ensuing punt, setting the tone for a sloppy afternoon of a generally transparent Kansas City offense.
Mahomes guided the Chiefs to a 14-10 lead before halftime, but between a visible disagreement with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the star QB oversaw a group that went just 3 of 10 on third downs . Ryan had his own issues, soaking up five sacks and fumbling twice in a stingy defensive battle, but hit Michael Pittman Jr. eight times and notably found rookie tight end Jelani Woods on a pair of touchdown throws, including the go-ahead score with 24 seconds left.
Woods’ second touchdown capped a 76-yard drive that may have been the Colts’ best offense display this year.
Mistakes were the name of the game throughout Sunday’s affair, and the Colts simply did less of them, with safety Rodney McLeod intercepting Mahomes on a final pitch to JuJu Smith-Schuster to seal the upset. Indy. The Chiefs had just 58 rushing yards against forward Gus Bradley, which saw Yannick Ngakoue beat Mahomes in the pocket, and also had a critical unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that nullified a late sack from Chris Jones .