The Chiefs competing against the Colts in January is nothing new to Chiefs fans. The Kansas City Chiefs have faced the Indianapolis Colts three times in the playoffs, following the 1995, 2003, and 2006 regular seasons. Unfortunately, the outcome hasn't been in favor of Kansas City with the Chiefs going 0-3 in postseason play against Indianapolis. However, don't forget that this is a team that has moved from worst in the league in 2012 to a legitimate contender and a playoff bound team in 2013.
Saturday's matchup will be head coach Andy Reid's 20th postseason game. He owns a 10-9 postseason record, including five NFC Championship appearances and a trip to Super Bowl XXXIX.
QB Alex Smith also comes to the game with postseason experience. In two postseason starts, Smith is averaging 248 yards a game and totaled five touchdowns to no interceptions.
Although the game will be away from Arrowhead Stadium, the road hasn't exactly been a tough one for the Chiefs this year, possessing a 6-2 record. On the road this season, the Chiefs have outscored their opponents 204-89, a differential of plus 115.
Below is a look at the last three-playoff games against the Colts.
1995
The Chiefs hosted the Colts on Sunday, January 7, 1996 at Arrowhead Stadium where the weather was 0 degrees with a wind chill of -15 at kickoff.
In the first quarter, the Chiefs were on the board early when QB Steve Bono connected on a 20-yard pass to WR Lake Dawson for a touchdown. Lin Elliott kicked the extra point to put the Chiefs up 7-0.
The Colts didn't respond until the second quarter when QB Jim Harbaugh got the ball to WR Floyd Turner who made his way into the endzone. K Cary Blanchard kicked it through the uprights and by halftime, the game was tied at 7 all.
The Colts took the lead in the third quarter when Blanchard hit a 30-yard field goal to make it 10-7. The score remained the same through the fourth and the victorious Colts went on to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game. The Steelers ultimately won 20-16 and advanced to the Super Bowl.
2003
The next time the Chiefs faced the Colts in the playoffs was January 11, 2004. It was 40 degrees when the game kicked off at noon at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Colts took an early lead when QB Peyton Manning completed a pass to WR Brandon Stokley for a 29-yard touchdown. K Mike Vanderjagt tacked on the extra point and the Colts were up first. IND 7 KC 0.
The Chiefs responded with a 22-yard field goal from K Morten Andersen with less than four minutes left in the first quarter. IND 7 KC 3.
On the Colts next possession, RB Edgerrin James went up the middle for an 11-yard touchdown run. Vanderjagt kick was good for a 14-3 lead.
To open the second quarter, the Chiefs were looking to close the gap. QB Trent Green connected with WR Dante Hall for a 9-yard touchdown. IND 14 KC 10.
It was back and forth the whole game as Manning led the Colts down the field for another touchdown, this time to WR Tom Lopienski. The Colts extended the lead heading into halftime. IND 21 KC 10.
The third quarter was underway when the Chiefs fumbled the ball and the Colts recovered. Indianapolis took it down the field and were forced to kick a 45-yard field goal. IND 24 KC 10.
Continuing the back and forth scoring drives, the Chiefs came back with a touchdown from RB Priest Holmes and extra point from Andersen. IND 24 KC 17.
Manning, once again responded and completed a pass to WR Reggie Wayne for a 19-yard touchdown. IND 31 KC 17.
The Chiefs special teams answered after the Colts scoring drive as WR Dante Hall returned K Jason Baker's kick for a 92-yard touchdown. Closing the gap, the Chiefs finished the third quarter down by seven. IND 31 KC 24.
To open to fourth quarter the Colts worked their way down the field, ending in a 1-yard touchdown from RB Edgerrin James. IND 38 KC 24.
The Chiefs, trying to play catch up, made it to the endzone on the next possession when Priest Holmes leaped up for a touchdown. IND 38 KC 31. However, it was too little too late.
The Chiefs fell just short of a victory, as the Colts won 38-31 and went on to face New England. The Colts couldn't top the Patriots in the Conference Championship, losing 24-14.
2006
The third time the Chiefs saw the Colts in the playoffs was January 6, 2007. The Colts hosted the Chiefs at the RCA Dome for an afternoon contest.
The Colts started the game 9-0 after kicking three field goals through the first and second quarter from K Adam Vinatieri.
In the third quarter, the Colts added their first touchdown when QB Peyton Manning connected with RB Joseph Addai. IND 16 KC 0.
Chiefs came back quickly on the next possession when QB Trent Green completed a pass to TE Tony Gonzalez for a 6-yard touchdown.The Chiefs then attempted a two-point conversion, Green found TE Kris Wilson in the endzone for two points. Kansas City was down by 8 to end the third quarter. IND 16 KC 8.
In the fourth quarter, QB Peyton Manning completed a pass to WR Reggie Wayne for a 5-yard touchdown and Vinatieri's extra point was good. IND 23 KC 8.
The Chiefs couldn't put a comeback together and the final score was 23-8. The Colts moved on in the postseason and went on to defeat the Baltimore Ravens, the New England Patriots and capped their playoff run by beating the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
2014
As we approach Saturday, the Chiefs have a strong opponent ahead of them, but as the players and coaches noted earlier this week, this is a different Chiefs team. Although the all-time record is in the Colts favor, the Chiefs are prepared to compete, they are ready to fight and they are not ready to end the season just yet.
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