Chiefs vs. Colts: Will Indy Be Able To Stop The Run?

The Kansas City Chiefs will enter Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts with an eye on the run game. The Chiefs offensive strength is running the ball and the Colts defensive weakness is run defense. It's a good matchup for the Chiefs.

I talked with one of the writers at Stampede Blue asking the question:

Can the Colts stop the Chiefs run game?

"Stop the run, definitely not," mgrex03 of Stampede Blue writes. "The Chiefs will get their rushing yards against this defense, even if the Colts throw eight in the box.  The key will be whether they get 150 yards on 20 carries or on 35 carries. 

"The Colts depend on Manning to get them a two touchdown lead, then just pin their ears back going after the QB, trying to stop the run on the way. I do think the Colts can contain the Chiefs running game. They bottled up [Titans RB] Chris Johnson twice last year, and early returns this year suggest they are playing about the same level."

Here's how backs have done against the Colts so far (with mgrex03's commentary included).

• Arian Foster: 33 carries, 231 yards...."The rush defense gave up.'
  
• Ahmad Bradshaw: 17 carries, 89 yards...."They stoned the Giants."
  
• Laurence Maroney: 12 carries, 24 yards..."The Broncos are horrible running the ball."
  
• Maurice Jones-Drew: 26 carries, 105 yards..."Maurice Jones-Drew always has big days against the Colts but didn't break anything long."

I think the MJD number is an important one. David Garrard, like Matt Cassel, won't scare a lot of people with his arm and the Colts were able to hold MJD to four yards per carry.