Four weeks into the regular season and the only undefeated team left is the Kansas City Chiefs. Those familiar with football betting know that’s quite amazing, considering KC was one of the worst teams last season and didn’t seem to get that much better in the offseason. Nonetheless, the Chiefs have gotten to where they are by beating some pretty talented teams and absolutely crushing the crappy ones (i.e. their 31-10 smack-down of the 49’ers last week). This week they have one of those talented teams to face in the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are coming off a last-second loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, bringing down their record to 2-2 for the first time in what seems like forever. Now would be a good time for Indianapolis to get angry and bring the Chiefs back to Earth.
Chiefs Colts Betting – Sunday, October 10, 2010, 1:00 PM EST
The Chiefs (3-0) are a team full of surprises, but perhaps the biggest shocker comes from the effectiveness of their defense. Last season the unit was one of the worst in the league; this year the group ranks near the top in nearly every defensive category. Their run defense has been the standout unit, allowing a paltry 75 yards per game on the ground. A lot of the credit must go to new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Not only has he instilled a new defensive system, but he’s gotten his players to buy into the system and make it work for their own. It’s been a successful marriage so far, and for Chiefs’ fans sake they won’t get a divorce anytime soon.
If you do online sports betting, you know it’s been a long time since the Colts (2-2) looked as beatable as they do this early in the regular season. It’s way too early to press any sort of panic button, but it is an interesting development. However, what’s more surprising than the actual losing is who the Colts are losing too. The two Northbet losses came against the Texans and the Jaguars, clubs the Colts have dominated in the past. Not necessarily a sign of things to come, but interesting nonetheless.
If the Chiefs want to continue their unbeaten streak, Matt Cassel will have to improve his play. Although his individual numbers aren’t bad, the team’s passing offense is. Cassel and his unit have averaged only 161.3 yards a game through the air, which ranks them in the bottom half of the league. Their two main receivers, Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers, have combined for only 12 catches and 1 touchdown so far this season. And the offensive line isn’t a problem; Cassel has been sacked only twice in 2010. Whether it’s a lack of passing calls called by the offensive coordinator, or Cassel simply not playing well enough, something has to change.
Regarding the run, the Colts have been pretty much invisible all season. Anyone who does NFL betting knows that’s not a surprise to their running game, a unit that usually ranks as their least effective unit each season. The surprise comes from the rush defense, which ranks low in the league and allows too many big plays. The pass rush allowed a 25-yard college option TD from Jags QB David Garrard, a feat unheard of the NFL. The reason is that NFL defenses are supposed to be good enough to stop that. But apparently, the Colts don’t have that.
Still, I don’t buy the Chiefs hot start. Eventually they’ll cool down and start struggling like everyone expected. Why not against the defending AFC Champs? The NFL pick goes to the Colts.
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