Colts safeties must play with discipline

Updated: January 9, 2004, 8:09 AM ET
By Football Scouts, Inc. | For ESPN Insider
Editor's note: After a week of watching film, Football Scouts, Inc., takes a second look at each NFL playoff match-up.

  • Colts WR Brandon Stokley is someone to watch in this match-up. He will line up against the Chiefs' No. 3 or No. 4 cornerback in most defensive schemes, and most defenders underestimate his deep speed. He is especially effective on the skinny post over the middle, when he can run by the middle linebacker dropping into coverage and split the safeties. It worked last week against the Broncos' cover-2 scheme, the same defensive look he will see from Kansas City.

  • The Chiefs' offense is deadly in the red zone, which could play a huge role in this game. RB Priest Holmes is a dual running-receiving threat, and he does a great job of following and setting up lead blocker Tony Richardson near the goal line. TE Tony Gonzalez, big, strong and a great leaper, is almost impossible to match up with in the red zone.

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