TheKansas City Chiefs arrive at their Week 12 matchup with the obligation to win against one of the teams that has shown the best form in the AFC. The Indianapolis Colts want to prove against one of the most dominant teams of recent years that they are ready to become a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid find themselves in a completely unusual situation at this point in the season, far from the top of the AFC West–a division lead they will almost certainly lose by season’s end after having won it uninterruptedly since 2016.

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QB Daniel Jones looked unflappable through Indianapolis’ first eight games — calm, efficient and in full control. But over the last two matchups, things have unraveled: four interceptions, three lost fumbles, 12 sacks and two of his three worst passer ratings of the season. The big question now is whether the bye week helped him reset and rediscover the habits that put him on track to match his single-season career high in wins.

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RB Kareem Hunt enters this game with a touchdown in three straight outings, but his workload is the real storyline with Isiah Pacheco still out due to a knee injury. Hunt was impactful against Denver — 59 yards and a score — yet he saw just 13 carries in a game where Kansas City threw 45 passes and ran only 14 times. His usage could swing the offensive balance.

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Key matchup

The Colts’ ground attack vs. the Chiefs’ run defense. Kansas City has been tough against the run all season, but Jonathan Taylor is coming off a monster performance: 244 yards and three touchdowns in an overtime win over Atlanta. It was his third game with at least 150 rushing yards this season — and another big outing would shift the momentum heavily in Indy’s favor.

Key injuries

Colts DT DeForest Buckner will miss his second straight game with a neck issue, while DE Tyquan Lewis (groin) did not practice Wednesday. DE Samson Ebukam (knee) returned to practice, though his status remains uncertain. CB Charvarius Ward (concussion) and LB Jaylon Carlies (ankle) were both designated to return, opening a 21-day activation window.

For the Chiefs, LG Kingsley Suamataia remains in the concussion protocol. WR Xavier Worthy missed time after tweaking an ankle, while RB Isiah Pacheco (knee) returned to practice with a brace after missing two games.

Series notes

The Colts have won two straight against the Chiefs and five of the last seven overall. One of the losses came in the January 2019divisional playoffs. Since October 2004, Indianapolis has lost at Arrowhead Stadium just once and has won three consecutive regular-season matchups in Kansas City.