By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

The time has arrived that many fans have been waiting for and many followers have been talking about. The time has come for a Patrick Mahomes led Kansas City Chiefs team to take the field in the NFL playoffs. As soon as Mahomes and the NFL’s number one ranked offense took the field to begin the 2018 season Chiefs fans began to wonder if the first year starter has what it takes to reverse the team’s recent history in the NFL playoffs. Many NFL followers were also wondering the same thing can this new starting quarterback lead his team to post season wins. The number one seeded Chiefs kick their post-season off with an AFC divisional round playoff game Saturday at 3:35 p.m. against the number six seeded Indianapolis Colts.

Thanks to a bye week the top seeded Kansas City Chiefs were able to heal up some players and rest those seeing lots of playing time as the regular season drew to a close. Chiefs All Pro CB Eric Berry did practice on Tuesday, then did not on Wednesday to keep his work on his sore heel limited. Both Spencer Ware and Sammy Watkins look to return to the offensive line up on Saturday. Kendall Fuller was a full participant in practice this week which is good news for a defense that will face top flight Colts QB Andrew Luck.

While the Chiefs ran out to a 5-0 start to the season and first place in the AFC West Division the Colts encountered a rough start to new head coach Frank Reich tenure starting 1-5. Thanks to franchise QB Andrew Luck and his offensive mates along with the fine play of rookie LB Darius Leonard the team has won 10 out of their last 11 games.

The Colts, now 11-6, won their opening round playoff game last week by decisively beating Houston 21-7. Luck has enjoyed finding his favorite wideout T.Y. Hilton and RB Marlon Mack has also been tough to stop. The Colts have also been blessed by fill in players who have excelled once put into the team’s lineup. One example is the Colts signing free agent OL Even Boehm, a Lee’s Summit West grad and a four year starter at Mizzou. Boehm has come in, started at Center, and has stabilized the offensive line for a playoff run.

Playoff appearances by the Chiefs have not gone well especially at home. Just two years ago the team lost a playoff game to Pittsburgh without giving up a single defensive touchdown. Last year the team never scored a point in the second half costing them a win over Tennessee in this same divisional playoff round. The 2019 appearance will feature the high flying offense that is ranked number one in the NFL which makes it hard to believe they will be shut out in any half. Should the Chiefs fall behind at some point in the game the team has displayed quick scoring abilities during the regular season that would serve them well here. A final key to keep an eye on will be the Chiefs pass rush against the Colts lineman who protect QB Andrew Luck.

The KC Chiefs are rested and ready to rid themselves of any previous playoff problems.

That’s What I REID Into It for this week.

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