Teicher: Chiefs confident they can compete with Colts

[Tribal Warfare]

Improved Chiefs’ defense to get its shot against Peyton Manning and the Colts
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Eric Berry will face Peyton Manning for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday when the Chiefs play the Colts in Indianapolis.

But the rookie safety is already familiar with the veteran quarterback’s moves. Manning would occasionally return to his alma mater at Tennessee during the off-season to play seven-on-seven games with Berry and some of his Volunteer teammates.

Berry said he learned at least one valuable lesson from Manning that he will put to use Sunday.

“Don’t bite,’’ Berry said, “on the pump fake.’’

It was laughable to think the last couple of seasons that the Chiefs could have success dealing with Manning and his fakes and his ability, but not so much this year. The Chiefs are among the NFL’s top 10 in many significant defensive statistical categories and second in fewest points allowed, though they’ve built those numbers mostly against offensive opponents inferior to Manning and the Colts.

At the very least, the Chiefs have reason to believe they can compete with the Colts.

“We’ll see,’’ linebacker Derrick Johnson said. “It’s going to come up quick. I hope so. I’m confident in our ability.’’

The Colts are 2-2 after Sunday’s 31-28 loss to Jacksonville. They’re in the unfamiliar position of having a worse record than the 3-0 Chiefs.

That’s no fault of Manning’s. He leads the league with 11 touchdown passes, with 1,365 yards and just one interception.

“Peyton keeps a lot of defensive players up at night,’’ Johnson said. “Best quarterback in the league. Tremendous arm. Smart guy. Doesn’t make many mistakes. When he does make mistakes, we have to capitalize off it. If not, there’s not going to be any chances for us to get anything done.’’

Pass defense has been the Chiefs’ weak area. The Chiefs have occasionally appeared confused in the secondary and allowed 11 pass plays of 20 yards or more.

That’s a weakness Manning will exploit if the Chiefs don’t make the necessary corrections.

“I have a hard time pinning it down, although I will say communication is very important to us and something we must do especially with the teams we’re playing and their multiple formations sets and people in different spots at different times,’’ coach Todd Haley said. “You have to be able to communicate, and part of this past week was some of that.

“The (point) I made to our coaches last week was that communication was what I wanted to focus on defensively and try to create more communicators.’’

The Chiefs can take hope from a suddenly vigorous pass rush, which produced five sacks in Kansas City’s last game, a 31-10 win over San Francisco. Their run defense has been consistently strong, with the Chiefs allowing just 3.2 yards per carry.

A defensive revival seemed unlikely so early in the season given that Berry and fellow safety Kendrick Lewis are the only significant new playing pieces. New defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel appears to be making a difference, but the biggest reason for defensive improvement is that many players have made dramatic individual strides.

Johnson, fellow inside linebacker Jovan Belcher, cornerback Brandon Flowers and defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey are leaders on that list. Johnson leads the Chiefs in tackles while Belcher is third. Flowers has two interceptions, and his touchdown allowed the Chiefs to overcome a sluggish offense and win in Cleveland last month. Dorsey is a big reason the Chiefs are playing well against the run.

“I’m not going to get into comparing all the guys,’’ Haley said. “Because of the result, I’m happy with the way everybody is playing. At the same time, I understand we need to make improvement in a number of different areas.

“You’ve got to develop the players you have, and that development has been going on now for a year and a half or wherever we are in that process. We’ve had some clear development by players.’’

Foremost is Johnson, a former first-round draft pick who would only occasionally play like one. That’s changed this season.

“I think I’ve been consistent mentally and physically out there, and that’s a good thing for me,’’ Johnson said. “I’m just trying to make sure I stay healthy so I can be there for my teammates. I’m doing the things I need to do during the week.’’

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The Chiefs and Colts have seen a lot of each other in the past 15 years. Although the Colts have had an overwhelming advantage in wins, the Chiefs say they have reason to believe they can compete on Sunday. 1995 divisional playoff
L 10-7
1996 regular season
L 24-19
1999 regular season
L 25-17
2000 regular season
L 27-14
2001 regular season
L 35-28
2003 divisional playoff
L 38-31
2004 regular season
W 45-35
2006 wild-card playoff
L 23-8
2007 regular season
L 13-10