TheIndianapolis Colts’run defense is under fire after getting gashed last week, but they won't get any rest against Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III.
Sports Illustrated’s Eva Geitheim identified “Can the Colts stop the Chiefs’ rushing attack?” as the biggest question surrounding Indianapolis’ matchup with Kansas City.
"The Chiefs finished the week second in the league in EPA per rush (0.24), and though their passing attack wasn’t special against the Broncos, it won’t matter if the Colts can slow them down on the ground," Geitheim wrote.
The worry follows a season opener against the Baltimore Ravens where Indianapolis surrendered 202 rushing yards, with Derrick Henry accounting for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries.
Henry averaged 6.0 yards per attempt.
Now comes Walker, who was even more productive in his Chiefs debut.
Walker rushed for a career-high 173 yards on 23 carries in Kansas City’s 31-10 win over the Denver Broncos. He also scored twice — once on a 60-yard run and again on a reception — while finishing with 191 yards from scrimmage.
The Colts, therefore, go from trying to contain one of the league’s most established power backs to dealing with a runner coming off the best rushing performance of his career.
Communication breakdowns were prevalent throughout the Colts' Week 1 defensive showing, and changes have been made this week to clean those miscues up.
As Indianapolis looks to rebound in Week 2, slowing Walker will be paramount.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts face another red-hot RB after Derrick Henry ran wild
