The Indianapolis Colts and the Kansas City Chiefs met in their NFL Wild Card round playoff clash at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Colts beat the Chiefs in their week 16 meeting at Arrowhead Stadium and we're looking to repeat that feat to advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2009 season.
It didn't look like they were going to achieve that as Kansas City held a 28-point lead at the start of the third quarter but Andrew Luck led his side on a miraculous comeback to beat Andy Reid's side by one point, in a 45-44 victory.
Read how all the action unfolded below.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the NFL Wild Card round clash between the Indianapolis Colts and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Well, we're here at last, the NFL playoffs. What a game to start us off as the AFC number four seed Colts take on the number five seed Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Colts are currently on a three-game win streak, coming off an 11-5 season with quarterback Andrew Luck leading his side with 23 touchdowns to just nine interceptions in the campaign, despite the loss of key receiver Reggie Wayne.
Robert Mathis has starred for the Colts on defense this season with a career-high 19.5 sacks on the campaign. He will be crucial this evening in getting to Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith to force mistakes, which are so crucial come playoff time.
In the week 16 matchup between these sides, the Colts destroyed the Chiefs with a 23-7 victory at Arrowhead Stadium, as Andy Reid's side committed four turnovers as the opportunistic defense of Chuck Pagano's side prevailed.
The Chiefs have to eliminate those turnovers to stand a chance in this game. Jamaal Charles holds the key for Reid's side as if he can have a big day rushing on the ground along with catching out of the backfield, the Colts may struggle to keep up with their offense, as it will allow the Chiefs potent pass-rushers to tee off against Andrew Luck.
The Colts can also control the game on the ground as Donald Brown has come into his own in the past few weeks. If he along with Trent Richardson can get decent yardage on the ground, it will alleviate the pressure on Luck and his inexperienced receiving corps to get open downfield. It will also bring the play-action game into play allowing the quarterback some easier throws.
COLTS INACTIVES: Vaughn, Price, Adongo, Holmes, Reitz, Moala, Saunders.
CHIEFS INACTIVES: Bray, Moses, Kush, Watkins, Fisher, Gordon, Powe.
The Colts are without cornerback Cassius Vaughn and defensive end Fili Moala from their usual starting rotation, at nickelback and the defensive line. The Chiefs will be without starting tackle Eric Fisher to protect Alex Fisher, that could be huge for the visitors as Mathis may come into play against a backup player.
The Chiefs have been boosted by the returns of pass-rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. They have been vital to Reid's side's success this season, again playoff football is all about mistakes and turnovers, these two players are capable of terrorising offensive lines. If they can get to Luck this evening, they will give their side an excellent chance of progressing to the Divisional Round.
Comparing the records in the playoffs of the two coaches in the playoffs. Andy Reid is 10-9 and has won one NFC Championship leading the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in the 2004 season, where they were defeated by the New England Patriots. Chuck Pagano has a 0-1 record, after his side lost last year at this stage to the eventual Super Bowl winners the Baltimore Ravens, he and Andrew Luck will be looking to register their first win this evening.
Vinatieri gets us underway and Demps returns to the ball to the 17-yard line of the Chiefs.
The Chiefs get rolling as they earn a first down on the first two plays of the game as Charles goes over the left side of the line and earns five yards and then comes back on second to get six over the left side of the side to take his side to their 29.
Smith unleashes his first pass of the game and he fires to Bowe on a slant route over the middle of the field for a 12-yard gain to take his side to their 41-yard line.
Smith escapes the pressure in the pocket and takes off over the right side after somehow evade Bethea on the blitz, he gets behind a block of McCluster and get his side into Colts' territory with a 16-yard run to their 39.
Charles gets the handoff on first down and churns out five yards on the ground over the right side of the line , but disaster strikes for the Chiefs as he stays down after the play is over. If this is a serious injury it could be game over for the visitors, he is their most important player.
Smith takes the ball from the center and runs the read-option over the right side of the line before tossing the ball to Kniles Davis and he gets the remaining five yards needed for the first down at the Colts' 29.
The Chiefs get another first down as McCluster gets five yards on a swing pass out of the backfield and then Davis comes in on second down to pile over the right side of the line to get the other five yards taking Toler with him over the marker as the cornerback attempted to bring him down.
The Chiefs powers to the six-yard line of the Colts as Davis runs through the middle of the line to earn three tough yards after McCluster got seven yards on an out route with Toler in tight coverage behind him.
TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS!
The Chiefs take the lead as Smith fires to Bowe on a slant route over the middle and he makes the catch between Landry and Butler for the six-yard touchdown. An excellent drive for the Chiefs to start but it looks as though Charles may have a concussion, as he has been taken back to the locker room. That could be disastrous for their hopes in this game and going forward.
Brazill collects the kickoff from Succop and returns the ball to the 27-yard line of the Colts, where Luck will begin.
The Colts get a first down on their first play as Luck fires a dart over the middle of the field to Hilton and he makes the grab for the 12-yard gain to their 38-yard line.
Luck goes underneath and fires to Hilton for his third catch in a row over the middle of the field on a drag route and he beats the coverage of Robinson to turn in a huge gain of 24 yards down to the Chiefs' 33.
The Colts respond positively from a no call on a facemask on Brazill, as Luck fires down the left sideline to his tight end Fleener for the first time of the night and he makes the grab for an 18-yard to take them to the Chiefs' 15.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS!
The Colts respond to the Chiefs' score as Luck goes seven for seven on the drive with his last throw finding Hilton for the fourth time on a go route down the seam and he makes the catch over Robinson for the 10-yard score. An excellent drive by the Colts.
Demps returns the kickoff from Vinatieri to the Chiefs' 25 where Smith will begin.
The Chiefs get a break as Vontae Davis is penalised for illegal contact downfield, that hands the Chiefs five yards and another set of downs at their 31-yard line.
The Chiefs get all the way down to the two-yard line of the Colts as Smith fakes the handoff to Davis and he drills the ball to Bowe over the middle of the field, he beats the challenge of Toler, then Landry to turn in a huge 63-yard reception. What a play by the receiver.
STOPPED! The Colts hold firm on their goalline as they deny Davis twice on second and third, as Redding comes through the line to drag Davis down for a loss to stop the touchdown. That will force Succop into a 19-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! Chiefs 10-7 Colts
Succop fires the ball through the posts from 19 yards and hands his side the lead once again. That stop from the Colts could turn out to be very important.
Brazill returns the kickoff 34 yards to the Colts' 30 where Luck will begin.
The Colts go three and out as Brown gets four yards on first down but the Chiefs manage to generate some pressure on luck on second and third forcing two incompletions as the hit his arm. Luck is fortunate not to turn the ball over as they fall safely to the ground on both occasions. McAfee punts away and McCluster returns the ball to the Chiefs' 20.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Kansas City Chiefs 10-7 Indianapolis Colts
TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS!
WOW! The Chiefs take a 10-point lead as Smith goes deep downfield on third down and hits former Colts receiver Donnie Avery in stride and wide open, and he runs in for the simple score to complete the 79-yard touchdown. Avery absolutely burned Toler there and the Colts have a lot of work to do now.
Succop kicks the ball to Brazill who takes a knee in the endzone so the Colts will start at their 20.
FUMBLE!
OH BOY! Richardson puts the ball on the ground after taking the handoff from Luck, he doesn't even get hit as he just loses control of the it as he attempted to cut back after looking like being dropped for a loss. Houston gathers for the Chiefs at the Colts' 18.
Davis rubs salt in the wound as on the first play after the fumble he drives right through the middle of the line, cutting back slightly to the right and he takes a couple of tacklers down to the four-yard line of the Colts. Danger here for Indianapolis, they can't afford to go down by 17 points.
TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS!
The Chiefs get into the endzone for the second time in a space of just two minutes as Smith escapes the pocket and shovel passes the ball to his full back Sherman who walks into the endzone for the four-yard touchdown. It could be game over now!
Brazill takes another knee in the endzone from the kickoff and again Luck will start at the 20.
Luck comes up big for the Colts as he fires over the middle of the field to Whalen for a 17-yard gain after he escaped the rush in the pocket to take his side to their 40-yard line. That's a big moment, a three and out there could have been very costly for the home side.
Disaster for the Colts now as Hilton is down after the play by Whalen. They can't afford to lose him especially as they are down by 17 points.
The Colts can't convert on third and five as Fleener is downed for a four-yard gain by Berry, leaving the Colts with fourth and inches after Brown churned out five yards on first down. Pagano is opting to go for it, a big moment in the game right here.
The Colts get the first down as Luck fakes the handoff to Richardson and the Chiefs bite leaving a huge hole over the left side and the quarterback sprints down to the 30-yard line of the Chiefs with a 20-yard run. Excellent play by the quarterback.
Hilton comes back onto the field and moves the chains as he shakes off a tackle to avoid going down for a loss and he sprints down the sideline to earn the first down with an 11-yard gain before he gets pushed out of bounds at the Chiefs' 19.
The Colts can't move any further though as Luck's pass on third down to Fleener is nearly intercepted by Houston after he threw two incompletions on first and second. That will leave Vinatieri with a kick from 37 yards out.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! Chiefs 24-10 Colts
Vinatieri makes no mistake as he fires his kick through the posts and we have a 14-point game.
Demps returns the ball from the kickoff to the 19 of the Chiefs, where Smith will begin.
The Chiefs get the first down as Davis plows through the middle of the line for a gain of four yards after he found six yards on first. He will take over as the primary back now as Charles has been ruled out for the rest of the game.
Smith keeps the ball on all three downs to move the chains, the biggest of which comes on third and one as he runs with the ball over the right side of the line to their 39 with a run of six yards after he found nine yards on first and second. Good stuff from the quarterback so far in this game.
The Chiefs keep moving the chains as they get over midfield as they fake the screen to the right on third and five and they come back to the left with a well designed tight end screen for Fasano and he makes the grab for the seven-yard reception at the Colts' 43.
Smith takes a timeout in a crucial situation as the Chiefs have third and five again at the Colts' 38. A conversion here would put them in field goal range and possibly more.
The Chiefs convert as McCluster comes out of the backfield and Smith zips the ball to him as Bowe blocks downfield with a pick play on Butler, who was in coverage and the back makes a reception worth 19 yards to take his side to the Colts' 19.
Smith is performing wonders with his legs as he escapes the rush again on third down and seven and he runs right through the middle of the line to get the first down with a run worth eight yards that takes his side to the eight-yard line of the Colts, at the two-minute warning.
The Chiefs get handed another four yards as Vontae Davis grabs the facemask of Avery, that moves the visitors to the four-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS!
The Chiefs get into the endzone on the first play after the penalty as Smith hands the ball off to Davis and he powers behind his offensive line for the four-yard touchdown. This is a 21-point lead for the Chiefs, the Colts now face a massive challenge to get back into this game.
Brazill takes a knee in the endzone and the Colts will begin at the 20.
The Colts move the chains to move to their 30, as Luck runs for nine yards on second after Fleener drops a pass right on his numbers, on third down he goes back to Fleener and he gets the yard they need to get another set of downs.
Luck fire downfield to Hilton who makes the grab on a corner route to take his side into the Chiefs side of the field with a 22-yard reception at the Chiefs 43-yard line.
INTERCEPTION CHIEFS!
OH DEAR! It doesn't get any better for the Colts as Luck tries too hard to get the yardage back after taking a sack from Houston for a loss of seven yards and he forces the ball to Whalen but Flowers is there to make the pick despite colliding with his own man Johnson, he takes the ball back to the Colts' 45.
The Chiefs get to the Colts' 41 as Smith runs for one yard and then Davis gets three yards, leaving a shot for a Hail Mary pass.
Smith throws deep to the endzone looking for Bowe but the ball falls incomplete and that will end the half.
HALF TIME: Kansas City Chiefs 31-10 Indianapolis Colts
Well, well, well, the Chiefs without their best player are absolute command at the break as they lead by 21 points. Alex Smith has been electric this evening with an array of pinpoint passes as he has thrown for three touchdowns, while Knile Davis has stepped up after Jamaal Charles went down on the sixth play of the game with a concussion. He will not return but on the basis of this performance his side won't need him.
The Colts couldn't have wished for a worse half of football bar their first drive of the game where Luck completed seven of seven before as he found Hilton in the endzone. Since then it has been absolute carnage since then as the Colts have been completely dismantled on their defense. They will need to get their act together quickly to have any chance of getting back into this one.
The Colts will start at the 20 as Brazill takes a knee in the endzone.
INTERCEPTION CHIEFS!
UH OH! Luck's first pass of the second is intercepted by Abdullah as he jumps the route at the 18-yard line of the Colts as the quarterback tried to find Hilton on an route route. This could be game over if the Chiefs score here.
TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS!
The Chiefs extend their lead to 28 points as Smith uses his feet to escape the pocket yet again and he drops the ball over Bethea to Davis who runs into the endzone to complete the score. This should be game over now, as it would take something incredibly special for the Colts to comeback now.
The Colts will start at the 20.
Luck gets his side moving as he fires over the middle of the field to Hilton for a 10-yard gain to take his side to their 33-yard line.
Brown gets the handoff this time and he churns through the middle of the line for a gain of 11 yards, this is better from the Colts.
A huge play for the Colts as Luck goes deep downfield after escaping the rush in the pocket and he throws deep for Rogers and he makes the catch over Berry for a 46-yard reception at the 10-yard line of the Chiefs. A massive play for the home side.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS!
Brown gets the handoff on the 10-yard line and he powers through a gap in the Chiefs' defensive line and sprints into the endzone for the score. The Colts needed that one badly and that brings them back within 21 points.
Demps returns the ball to the Chiefs' 22 with a 28-yard run from the kickoff.
The Chiefs get moving again on offense as Smith drills the ball to Hemmingway over the middle of the field on a crossing route and for a 17-yard gain taking his side to their 37.
Smith throws to Davis on a swing pass and he sprints downfield with the ball to midfield with a 13-yard reception. All the momentum is with the Chiefs at the moment.
SACK & FUMBLE!
Mathis finally makes an impact in the game as Smith holds the ball for far too long and the 32-year-old comes at him from behind and makes the sack but more importantly knocks the ball loose and Sheppard just manages to jump on it before it goes out of bounds. The play is under review though. This is a major moment in the game.
The play stand and the Colts will have the ball at the Chiefs' 40.
The Colts get a first down as Luck fires the ball to Hilton on an out route and he makes the grab at the sideline for an 18-yard reception to move his side to the 27-yard line of the Chiefs.
The Colts get moving right to the three-yard line as Luck powers a throw down the middle of the field to Brazill on a post route and he makes the grab for the 19-yard reception after Hilton got another eight yards on first down.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS!
The Colts are really back in the game now as they draw themselves to within 14 points as Luck zips the ball out to Brown on a screen pass and he gets behind three blocks to run into the endzone for the three-yard score. Much better from Indianapolis.
Demps returns the kickoff to the 20 where Smith will begin again.
All the momentum is now with the Colts, it just seems that seconds ago the Chiefs were ready to put this game to bed but they go three and out after the Colts score, as Smith's pass to Bowe is nearly picked off by Landry but it falls incomplete leading to a punt from Colquitt and Whalen calls for the fair catch at the Colts' 28.
INTERCEPTION CHIEFS!
OH BOY! The Colts may have blown it now as Luck throws the ball behind Hilton who makes an attempt at the grab but he can't come up with the catch and is only successful in knocking it into the path of Abdullah who gets his second pick of the game. The Chiefs will take over at the Colts' 29.
The Chiefs can't make the Colts pay for their error as Smith is forced to throw the ball away on third and four, as the Colts brought the heat with the blitz. That will leave Succop with a 42-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! Chiefs 41-24 Colts
Succop fires the ball between the posts and the Chiefs lead by 17.
The Colts will start at their 20.
Luck checks down to Brown and he runs right up the middle of the field and beats a couple of tackles before he gets dropped at the Colts' 45 for a 25-yard reception.
Luck escapes the pocket and fires to Brazill down the right sideline and the receiver beats a couple of tackles to get to the 25-yard line of the Chiefs with a 30-yard reception.
Brown gets the handoff for the Colts and he bursts through the middle of the line for a gain of 13 yards to take his side to the Chiefs' 12.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS!
Luck fires down the seam to Fleener who makes the grab in the endzone for the 12-yard score to bring his side within 10 points, as the quarterback lobbed the ball over the head of Johnson in coverage.
Demps returns the ball to the 19-yard line of the Chiefs, where Smith will begin.
Smith fires to Bowe downfield who makes an excellent grab over Davis to go up and get the ball on a corner route for a 21-yard gain to take the Chiefs to their 40-yard line.
Smith moves the chains himself with a 13-yard run up the middle of the line after a pass play breaks down and takes his side into the Colts side of the field at their 48-yard line.
The Chiefs end the half with a two-yard run after a holding play on Fasano moved them to the Colts' 43. They will have second and eight at the Colts' 41 when the fourth quarter starts.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: Kansas City Chiefs 41-31 Indianapolis Colts
The Chiefs' drive ends as Smith makes a crucial error on second down as Gray is wide open down the field on the right sideline and the quarterback overthrows him and it falls incomplete, on third he's forced to throw the ball away as Mathis was closing in on him. Colquitt's punt is fair caught by Whalen at the Colts' 10.
Luck makes a crucial throw on third down and 10 as he escapes the pressure in the pocket and throws to Hilton on a crossing route over the middle of the field for a 16-yard reception taking his side to the 26-yard line.
Luck drills the ball to Hilton again this time on an out route and again he beats Robinson in coverage for a 14-yard gain down the right sideline to move his side to the 40.
Luck keeps on getting it done after Brown powers through the middle of the line for a seven-yard gain he goes back to Hilton down the left sideline and for a 12-yard reception down to the Chiefs' 41.
The quarterback earns his side another first down as he takes off downfield and rips off a 12-yard run for a first down as Brown got seven yards on first. It's far too easy for the Colts at the moment. They're at the Chiefs' 23 now.
Whalen gets his side down to the 10-yard line with a nine-yard reception after Brown churns out another five yards on first down.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS!
The Colts pull within three points. This is incredible as Brown gets the handoff on the two-yard line and the ball is knocked loose but it falls back into the hands of Luck who collects it and jumps over a pile of players into the endzone. Game on!!
Demps returns the ball to the 17 where Smith will begin.
The Chiefs get moving as Smith fires the ball off play-action to Hemmingway over the middle of the field for a 12-yard gain to take his side to their 29-yard line.
Smith makes an excellent thrown on third and five as he drills the ball to Bowe on a slant route over the middle of the field and he makes the grab for the six-yard reception. Even worse news for the Chiefs, who are without Charles, Avery, Flowers and now Davis who goes out with a knee injury.
The Chiefs pickup another huge third down conversion as Smith drops the ball short to Jenkins on a slant route and he gets behind several blocks and sprints over the right side of the field to get down to the Colts' 29 with a 27-yard reception. Huge play for the Chiefs, a touchdown here could kill the Colts off once and for all.
The Chiefs can't convert on third and 11 as Smith can only get five yards on a running play and that will leave Succop with a 43-yard field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! Chiefs 44-38 Colts
Succop holds his nerve to fire the 43-yarder through the posts and make it a six-point game. A touchdown for the Colts could win them the game.
Succop's kick goes out of the endzone and the Colts will start at the 20.
Luck comes up big on third and five as he manages to get the ball out to Fleener who makes the grab for an 11-yard reception at the Colts' 36.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS!
OH MY WORD!! The Colts overturn a 28-point deficit to take the lead for the first time in the game as Luck fires downfield for the streaking Hilton who he hits on stride on a go route and he makes the grab to run in for a 64-yard touchdown.
The Chiefs will start at the 20.
The Chiefs get a huge play to start off as Smith fires to Bowe over the middle of the field on a slant route as all the Colts defenders stop wanting a false start but they don't get it and Bowe takes the ball to the 45 with a 25-yard reception.
Smith fires to Bowe again over the middle of the field and he takes the ball to the Colts' 43 with a 13-yard reception. Game is still on.
Smith commits a major penalty as he throws the ball away to avoid a sack and he is hit with intentional grounding that leaves a third and 17 situation for his side but he manages to get six yards of it back, leaving a fourth and 11 with the game on the line at the two-minute warning.
The pass from Smith falls incomplete as Bowe makes the grab on the sideline but he can't stay in bounds and the Colts will win this game.
The Colts kneel out to win the game. What a comeback, 28 points down at the start of the third quarter and they win the game to advance to the Divisional Round to face either the Denver Broncos or the New England Patriots.
FULL TIME: Kansas City Chiefs 44-45 Indianapolis Colts
The Colts secure a comeback for the ages as the Chiefs fell apart in the third and fourth quarter. Andrew Luck's stock continues to rise and they are well and truly a threat in the AFC playoff race.
Thanks for joining our commentary, this morning. We'll now be switching over the NFC clash for the clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New Orleans Saints.
