Colts’ notebook: Frank Reich not worried about adverse forecast for showdown

with Chiefs | FOX59INDIANAPOLIS Jabaal Sheard Jersey , Ind. – Frank Reich realizes the next step on his team’s dramatic run likely must be taken in less than ideal conditions. The advanced forecast for Saturday afternoon in Kansas City involves temperatures in the mid-30s and a 60-percent chance for snow with an accumulation of at l...Andrew Luck's playoff comeback part of hold Colts have on ChiefsFive years ago, Andrew Luck and the Colts overcome a 38-10 third-quarter deficit to hand the Kansas City Chiefs another crushing playoff lossTony Dungy On Colts' Playoff Hopes, Frank Reich, Andrew LuckLegendary former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy on Wednesday stopped by the team facility as part of his duties with NBC, and then spoke to the Colts after practice. He talked about his impressions of the Colts afterwards on 1070 The Fan'sKravitz: From guard to tackle to rising star, Colts rookie Braden Smith solidifies NFL’s best offensive line – The AthleticSmith has become an unlikely anchor on the right side. He's no longer the league’s best-kept secret.Kenny Moore Defining Consistency, Dependability For Colts In 2018 | 1070 the FanWhat has Kenny Moore meant to the Colts’ success in 2018? Without a doubt, Moore has been one of the team’s most dependable and important players.Colts' Marlon Mack delivers 'body blows' to wear down competition - Indianapolis Colts Blog- ESPNA patient style with speed to turn the corner and some open-field wiggle makes the slippery back a nice complement to Indianapolis' passing attack.A tougher Marlon Mack helped Colts get NFL playoff date with Chiefs.Running back Marlon Mack's enormous improvement is a chief reason the Colts reached the playoffs, beat the Texans and now face the Kansas City Chiefs.Colts at Chiefs rekindles memory of Indy’s great escape in ’13 playoffs, 2 trips to Arrowhead | CBS 4 - Indianapolis News, Weather, Traffic and Sports | WTTVINDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – To carve a niche in history required some extraordinarily poor play. The Indianapolis Colts spent the first 30 minutes of their 2013 AFC wild-card matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs quieting their lathered-up Lucas Oil Stadium sellout crowd.Five turning points in the greatest comeback in Colts history – The AthleticWith the Colts and Chiefs set to meet again in Saturday’s divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium, it’s an optimal time to reflect on one of the more insane football games we’ve ever seen.Colts Notebook: Malik Hooker Misses Entire Week Of Practice, Questionable For Saturday | 1070 the FanThe Colts had their final practice of the week on Thursday. What does the team’s final injury report of the week look like?Capt. Andrew Luck: The controversy and mystique of the Twitter accountCapt. Andrew Luck revealed a few tidbits about the person behind the Twitter account. We still don't know who it is, but we can guess.Ryan Grant Ruled Out Saturday Against Chiefs; Malik Hooker Questionable, Tyquan Lewis DoubtfulIndianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich on Thursday said just one player, wide receiver Ryan Grant, has been ruled out for Saturday’s Divisional Round matchup on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs. What’s the status of safety Malik Hooker, defensivWhat it's like for Colts' Eric Ebron to have a baby in during playoffColts tight end Eric Ebron to coach Frank Reich on Saturday: 'Thank you for bringing me here.'Reich: 'We’re here because of you.'Read Marv Levy’s letter to L.A. Times supporting Frank Reich to be NFL head coachLegendary Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy, who led them to four consecutive Super Bowls during his tenure from 1986-97, wrote Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer on Jan. 30 Pierre Desir Color Rush Jersey , 2018, to promote Frank Reich for a head coaching position. Reich was later hired by the Indianpolis Colts, who are now in the second round of the AFC playoffs.2018 Colts Fantasy Preview: Colts/Chiefs, Divisional RoundThe Indianapolis Colts travel west to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, potentially leading to an explosive fantasy matchup.Freddie Kitchens interested in Chuck Pagano and Vance Joseph as DC; Todd Monken and Jim Bob Cooter for OC, per reports | cleveland.comKitchens has already started lining up interviews with coordinator candidates, and they could begin on Friday.COLTS MEDIA The Colts face yet another tough and critical home game as they fight to drag themselves back into contention. They’ll host the Titans on Sunday in a game that will have implications deep into the season. Andrew Luck has never lost to the Titans, and he certainly won’t be interested in starting now. Given the significance of this game, let’s take a look at some of the big matchups that will help decide Sunday’s game.Offensive line vs Jurrell Casey Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsJurrell Casey is among the top defensive linemen in the NFL. He is not a statistical monster, but he is still a disruptive force against the run and pass, and easily the Titans’ best defensive player. This season he has 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 tackles for a loss. When the Colts sat down to begin formulating their protection plan for the week, you can bet Casey was at the very top of their list of guys to deal with. The Colts offensive line is doing an incredible job protecting Andrew Luck, having kept him upright for 4 weeks running. They will have to come ready to go yet again against a creative and tough Titans defense. The Titans have a solid defense all around, but if Andrew Luck is given time to throw, the Colts are going to score points. The offensive line winning the battle up front will likely tell the story of this game and if Jurrell Casey is able to be a big factor, it will spell trouble for the Colts. Eric Ebron vs Titans’ SecondaryBrian Spurlock-USA TODAY SportsThe Titans enter this game having given up precisely 0 touchdowns to a tight end. That sounds pretty stunning if you don’t look through their schedule, but becomes a bit less shocking when you see the list of tight ends they have faced. Zach Ertz is by and large the only really talented player they have faced at the tight end position, and he gashed them for 110 yards, but no touchdowns. By comparison, Eric Ebron will step onto the field on Sunday with 10 touchdowns on the season and a habit of embarrassing defenses. I broke down every touchdown he has on the season here https://www.coltsfanshop.com/Kemoko-Turay-Jersey , and his ability to end up all alone is almost as impressive as his ability to go up and get a jump ball. I am not going to say that Eric Ebron is definitely going to end that streak of no touchdowns by tight ends, but I am going to say that one of the tight ends on this team will. The Colts have used their tight ends too well, and are simply too talented at that position to be shut out. Kevin Byard will be a tough challenge for Ebron, but he made a talent like Jalen Ramsey look silly, and hasn’t exactly been up against scrubs all season. I don’t anticipate this game going all that differently in terms of the impact the tight end position will have for the Colts. Darius Leonard vs Dion LewisMatthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsThe Titans have two solid running backs in Dion Lewis and Derrick Henry. Henry certainly has his strengths, but he is not the player that worries me with this Colts team. Dion Lewis has been a major weapon for the Titans over the last 3 games. He is averaging over 100 yards from scrimmage, much of it coming from the passing game. If Lewis can keep his momentum going this week and be an active part of the passing game, it is going to be tough on a Colts defense that couldn’t get a stop against a Jaguars team that killed them with short passes that went for long gains.To make sure that doesn’t happen, they’ll need a big performance from rookie linebacker Darius Leonard. Leonard is their most valuable playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, and has regularly made the plays they need in a pinch. He will need to be on his game because with Lewis catching passes and Mariota utilizing his mobility, this is a team that could present trouble for the Colts’ defense that has had trouble stopping just about everyone. If Leonard can create a turnover that may be all the offense needs to pull out a win.Frank Reich vs Mike VrabelMatthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsIt is the showdown of two first time head coaches who will face each other twice each year. Both Frank Reich and Mike Vrabel have been lauded for the jobs they have done getting their respective teams ready to play. It would be pretty tough to argue that Vrabel hasn’t simply coached his team around the slew of injuries they have been dealt. Given all they have lost this season, having them still in contention is pretty impressive.Colts fans know the job Reich has done. While the numbers are still skewed against him in the win/loss column, that is turning quickly, and there are some very easy to measure changes that signal a very different team. For example, the fact that the Colts have been night and day different in terms of their ability to protect Andrew Luck. Additionally, they’ve converted on 52.4% of 3rd downs, and are averaging 28.9 points per game for the season. Reich has this offense humming. This will be a very interesting matchup to see which coach manages the game better, who has their team prepared the best, and who is able to use their talent most effectively. In an offensively driven league, my money is on the brilliant and experienced offensive mind.So what about you? What matchup will you be watching this weekend?