INDIANAPOLIS -- The Kansas City Chiefs made their loudest statement of the season on Sunday, even if they had to use some backup voices to do it.

The Chiefs announced themselves as favorites to win the AFC West with their 30-14 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Despite losing quarterback Alex Smith and running back Spencer Ware, each with a concussion, the Chiefs marched on as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

They found yet another way to win in collecting their third straight victory and raising their record to 5-2. This time, without two of their top offensive players for much of the game, they relied on their defense. It responded by holding Andrew Luck and the Colts to a pair of touchdowns.

The Chiefs got two touchdown passes from backup quarterback Nick Foles. Their leading rusher was backup running back Charcandrick West, who gained 52 yards on 14 carries.

The Chiefs won't have the offensive might of one of their division rivals, the Oakland Raiders, or the defensive strength of another, the Denver Broncos.

But the Chiefs have the most complete package. They have more ways to beat an opponent than any other AFC West team. They beat the Colts on the strength of their defense, which also forced a pair of timely turnovers.

Last week, they used a big-play passing game, featuring a pair of long touchdown throws, to beat the New Orleans Saints. A week earlier, they rushed for almost 200 yards in defeating the Raiders.

The Raiders and Broncos don’t show that kind of versatility.

The Chiefs also have this in their favor: They're the only AFC West team without a loss in a divisional game. It's still early -- the Chiefs have four games remaining against AFC West opponents -- but the tiebreakers are so far in their favor.

The Chiefs don't face another AFC West team until Nov. 27, when they meet the Broncos in Denver. The division race begins for real at that time.

Until then, the Chiefs are serving notice they're going to be a part of it.