This Could Be the Colts’ Most Exciting Matchup of the Season
Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs could very well be the most anticipated game on the Indianapolis Colts’ schedule.
There are plenty of exciting matchups on the Indianapolis Colts’ schedule this season, but the Week 12 road game against the Kansas City Chiefs might stand out as the most anticipated.
When you think of the Kansas City Chiefs, Taylor Swift might be the first name that pops into your head. But there’s a lot more to this team than its celebrity connections. Over the past six seasons, the Chiefs have played in five Super Bowls and taken home the Lombardi Trophy three times.
It’s safe to say they’re one of the top—if not the top—teams in the NFL. With the powerhouse trio of head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and tight end Travis Kelce, the Chiefs are a tough opponent no matter the venue. The Colts will certainly have their hands full trying to take down Mahomes and company in 2025.
Week 12 vs. Kansas City: Possibly the Most Anticipated Matchup on the Colts’ Schedule
Looking Back at Colts vs. Chiefs in 2022
For most Colts fans, the 2022 season is one they’d rather forget. The team stumbled to a 4-12-1 record, one of their worst in recent memory. But amid the struggles, there was at least one shining moment: a surprising Week 3 win over the Chiefs at home.
The Colts edged out Kansas City 20-17 thanks to a late-game heroics from veteran quarterback Matt Ryan, who at 37 led a clutch final drive capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Jelani Woods with just 24 seconds remaining. Ryan completed 27 of 37 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns, despite being sacked five times and losing two fumbles. Woods, who showed promise early in his career, hauled in both of Ryan’s touchdown passes.
That game marked the last meeting between these two teams. Could Indianapolis pull off another upset—this time on the road? We’ll find out in Week 12.
Improved Colts Defense vs. Patrick Mahomes
While Tom Brady is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, Patrick Mahomes is making a strong case to eventually claim that title. His résumé is already stacked: three Super Bowl championships, three Super Bowl MVP awards, and two regular-season MVPs.
Remarkably, Mahomes has defeated every NFL team in the regular season—except one: the Indianapolis Colts. If Indy’s defense can rise to the occasion in 2025, they could continue to be Mahomes’ only unbeaten nemesis.
The Colts made significant strides to bolster their defense this offseason. In free agency, they added key contributors such as cornerback Charvarius Ward, safety Camryn Bynum, and linebacker Joe Bachie. During the 2025 NFL Draft, they further reinforced their unit with top defensive prospects including edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau, cornerback Justin Walley, defensive tackle Tim Smith, and linebacker Hunter Wohler.
These newcomers join an already solid core featuring stars like DeForest Buckner, Kenny Moore II, and Laiatu Latu, forming a defense that looks far more formidable heading into the new season. If this upgraded unit can jell quickly, it may just have what it takes to slow down Mahomes and the Chiefs’ explosive offense.
Adding to the intrigue is new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Back when he was with the Cincinnati Bengals, Anarumo’s defense gave Mahomes all kinds of trouble in the 2022 AFC Championship Game, sacking him four times en route to a 27-24 win and a trip to Super Bowl LVI.
Now at the helm of Indy’s defense, Anarumo will look to replicate that formula in Week 12. The stage is set—can the Colts keep their undefeated streak against Mahomes alive?
