The internal confidence flowing from Arrowhead Stadium is quite the contrast from external panic about the state of the Kansas City Chiefs. Fans are angry or confused. Analysts are deniers. It's hard to find anyone who remains fervent in their belief in the Chiefs' ability to reach another Super Bowl given the current record of 5-5 and their position as the No. 9 seed in the AFC playoff picture.
What doesn't help matters after a frustrating intra-divisional loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 11 is knowing what's next: the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. The Colts are 8-2 with a visit scheduled for Sunday at Arrowhead. Coming off the bye with the newly acquired Sauce Gardner still easing his way into the mix, the Colts have every reason to believe they can pull off the road win.
But will they? Can the Chiefs turn things around and make their first real statement of the season? Can Indy finish what others have started by putting Kansas City out to pasture? Some of our writers remain believers, while others need proof that there's a pulse for something better in K.C.
Our writers' predictions for Week 12: Colts versus Chiefs
Christian Ainsworth
Chiefs get their most important win of the season in thrilling fashion: a Harrison Butker buzzer beater field goal from 34 yards. The offense continues to look abysmal but the defense pulls through. Chiefs 20, Colts 17
Price CarterIt's not very often I predict a loss for the Chiefs, but at this point, this team has lost the benefit of the doubt. The Colts are coming off a bye with all sorts of ways to beat the Chiefs offensively: Alec Pierce down the field, Josh Downs out of the slot, Michael Pittman as a contested catch threat, Tyler Warren a mismatch tight end, and then an MVP candidate at RB in Jonathan Taylor. Don't forget Lou Anarumo coordinating a defense with 2 All-Pro corners now, too. If the Chiefs stand a chance in this game, it's going to require some turnovers and the offense to come up big. Colts 28, Chiefs 24
Matt Conner
The Chiefs insist they're believers, and that hasn't changed for me either. A .500 record is no reason for this fan base to panic, and they'll prove it with a valiant effort against the Colts in what is as close to a must-win regular season game as you will find in Week 12. Chiefs 30, Colts 20
Bransen Gibson
After blowing their chance of winning the division last week, every game for the rest of the season is essentially a must-win. I'm tipping that the loss to the Broncos will *finally* be the wake-up call KC needed. The Colts are great, but at long last, I think we'll see the Chiefs play to their full potential against a top playoff rival. I expect the offense to bounce back and come out on top. Chiefs 30, Colts 27
Lyle Graversen
My brain says that if they couldn't find a way to beat their two-loss division rival coming off a bye last week, it doesn't make sense to pick them against a two-loss Colts team this week. However, my gut says that the Super Bowl-caliber Chiefs are still in there somewhere and are overdue to break out. Chiefs 27, Colts 20
Braden Holocek
The Chiefs can win against the Colts on Sunday. I fully believe that. But in the hopes of turning around the vibes, I won't pick K.C. as straightforward as I did last week. Legitimately, though, Indianapolis can run the ball as well as anyone with Jonathan Taylor. Lou Anarumo has always confused and frustrated the Chiefs' offense. Until we see Kansas City fix issues on offense that prevailed in the last two games, I think the Colts can manage this game to make the Chiefs nervous. Colts 27, Chiefs 23
Scott Loring
The Chiefs are playing far below their talent level, but it’s hard to believe that continues. There’s too much pride and too much experience in that locker room for them to go down without a fight. A loss to the Colts would put even a wild-card berth at great risk. I expect the Chiefs to rise to the task. Chiefs 20, Colts 16
Shawn O'BrateAfter the last few weeks, it’s hard to say that the Chiefs are outright the best team on the field anymore, especially when the Colts are on the same field after the first 11 weeks of the season. With that said, the amount of anger and passion that this team should be feeling heading into this game is at an all-time high. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Kansas City comes out firing like they did against Denver—only this time the deep shots will hit and the long drives will produce points, which means the Colts might have to play from behind for basically the second time all season. If the defense can hold serve against the likes of Jonathon Taylor, then basically it’s “which Daniel Jones will we get?” and I like our chances with Reid and Mahomes’ backs against a wall. Expect an angry Chiefs team, hopefully a more inspired play call, and a defense that has heard all the talk the last few weeks. Chiefs 28, Colts 17
Charles Robinson
Which Chiefs team will show up - the 0-5, zero urgency team that loses one-score games at an alarming rate, or the 5-0 world-beating offense that jumps out on opponents and doesn't relent? The Colts' run game will get theirs, but can Steve Spagnuolo dial up some pressure on Danny Dimes and make their offense one-dimensional? Only time will tell, but there is one thing for sure: fans should have zero expectation coming into this game. If things play out the way I hope they will, the Chiefs will climb in the right direction. Chiefs 31, Colts 21
Lucas Strozinsky
I'm out on this Chiefs team as a Super Bowl contender. I had this game marked down as a loss in my way-too-early game-by-game predictions even before we knew the Colts were good. Kansas City won't get blown out, but they also won't win. Colts 29, Chiefs 22