By MIKE CHAPPELL
The Indianapolis Star

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Lest everyone has forgotten how this works, there will be some defense played in Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.

At least the Indianapolis Colts (13-4) and Chiefs (13-3) will make the effort.

Good luck.

A matchup that will send the winner to next Sunday's conference championship game appears to be every defensive coordinator's worst nightmare.

The marquee outside the stadium should read: Fireworks display today. Chiefs' No. 2 offense vs. Colts' No. 3 offense. First team to 50 wins.

"I don't care if it's 55-54," Chiefs defensive end Vonnie Holliday said. "As long as when the bell blows, we're on top and we're going to the next round, it doesn't matter."

The last time the Colts and Chiefs met in the playoffs - Jan. 7, 1996, in Arrowhead - was another divisional pairing. Frigid temperatures and a swirling wind contributed to a field-position, defense-controlled game won by the Colts, 10-7.

"It might be 10-7," Kansas City free safety Jerome Woods said. "It might be 55-54. I would like to think that, hey, we ain't giving up no 54 points."

Hey, it might be the Chiefs who give up the 55.

The forecast calls for sunny skies, temperatures in the 50-degree range and winds at 15 mph. That sounds like clear sailing for a pair of high-flying offenses.

"Who knows?" Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said. "In the playoffs, you see all kinds of crazy games. Certainly, I think people are going to talk about the two offenses because we put up a lot of points.

"Our job is to try to score more than them. Whether that's nine like it was against Cleveland or 38 like it was against Tampa, just try to find a way to score more than them."

Trying to determine which offense has the edge is futile.

Kansas City ranks No. 1 in points and efficiency in the red zone, and No. 2 in total yards, passing yards and yards gained on first down. Its offense will have seven representatives in the Pro Bowl, including quarterback Trent Green, running back Priest Holmes, tight end Tony Gonzalez and kick returner/slot receiver Dante Hall.

The Chiefs, who utilize multiple formations and shifts, have scored at least 27 points in 11 of 16 games. They have topped the 40-point mark five times.

"They can do everything," Colts coach Tony Dungy said.

But no more than the Colts.

"I think they're every bit as effective as we are offensively," Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil conceded.

The Colts' 41-10 dismantling of Denver in the first round of the playoffs last weekend only validated their vibrant regular season, one that delivered Manning, the league's co-MVP, wide receiver Marvin Harrison and place-kicker Mike Vanderjagt to the Pro Bowl.

The Manning-led offense ranks No. 1 in passing yards and yards on first down, and is tied for No. 2 in points. It has scored at least 29 points on nine occasions, topped by the 55-point outburst at New Orleans.

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne dismissed the pregame Battle of the Juggernauts hype.

"We can't worry about our offense going against Kansas City's offense, or which defense is going to be able to hold up," he said. "If we do the things we're capable of doing, and that's making plays, we'll be fine."

Contributing to the notion that the game will involve more touchdowns than punts is the uncertainty on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

Kansas City's defense ranks No. 29 overall, No. 32 in yards per rushing attempt and No. 19 in points allowed. After getting off to a 9-0 start, the Chiefs finished 4-3. In the three losses, they were gouged for 24 points at Cincinnati and 45 points each at Denver and Minnesota.

The Colts are a respectable 11th in total defense but have been plagued by occasional lapses. They've been vulnerable to slashing, cutback tailbacks and gashing plays in the passing game.

"This is going to be a big challenge for us," linebacker Marcus Washington said. "Guys are going to take it upon themselves, defensive guys, to come out and try to prove everybody wrong.

"It's always fun if you can go out and do something someone says you can't do. You can gloat and walk around with your chest out the next week. I think we'll do well against them."

Colts at Chiefs

Records: Indianapolis 13-4, Kansas City 13-3.

When: 1 p.m. today (Ch. 12, 7).

Marquee value: Just two quarterbacks passed for more than 4,000 yards this season, and they will meet today at Arrowhead Stadium: Peyton Manning and Trent Green.

What the Colts must do to win: Play another solid game on defense.

What the Chiefs must do to win: Play their best defensive game of the season.

Last time they met: Indianapolis won 35-28 on Oct. 25, 2001, in K.C. The Colts also won the last postseason meeting 10-7 in a divisional playoff Jan. 7, 1996.

Matchup to watch: Colts Pro Bowl DE Dwight Freeney, who posted a team-high 11 sacks and four forced fumbles during the regular season, vs. Chiefs LT Willie Roaf, recently named to his ninth Pro Bowl. Freeney is a classic outside speed rusher; Roaf is a mountain of a man (6-5, 320) with quick feet.

Key injuries: Colts TE Dallas Clark is out (knee); three safeties, Mike Doss (ankle), Cory Bird (leg/shoulder) and Donald Strickland (knee) are questionable. Chiefs LB Mike Maslowski (knee) is doubtful; LB Monte Beisel (groin) is questionable.

Stat's the difference: Green led the AFC and was tied for second in the NFL during the regular season with 54 completions of at least 20 yards.

Who will win: Indianapolis' 7-1 road mark includes wins at Miami, Tampa Bay and Tennessee. The Chiefs, unbeaten at Arrowhead this season, have a 13-game home winning streak. Something gives - like the Chiefs' defense. Colts 27-24.

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