The Indianapolis Colts finished their dismal 2011 season the same way that they began it, which was by losing to a division rival on the road. Thanks to all that happened in between the opening loss to the Houston Texans and the closing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, though, the two games had a distinctively different feel. By the time the Colts took the field in Florida on January 1, fans had long since lost all hopes of Peyton Manning’s return this season, another playoff appearance or virtually anything else positive. In fact, for the first time that I can remember, I found myself rooting hard for the Colts to lose a game so that they could hold onto the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft and the chance to groom another franchise quarterback. The Colts and Jags made it interesting but, in the end, Indianapolis was no match for running back Maurice Jones-Drew and granted me my wish, falling by a final score of 19-13.

The story of this game featured many of the same chapters that the Colts wrote throughout the season. In particular, Jones-Drew rode Indianapolis’s weak run defense to a 169-yard performance that gave him the NFL rushing title with 1606 yards. That total also gave him the Jacksonville franchise record, eclipsing the 1572 yards that Fred Taylor racked up in 2003, and it further cemented the Colts defense as a breeding ground for big running days by the opposition. On the other side of the ball, the Colts couldn’t get their own running game moving, crafting just 56 yards on 22 carries. In a bit of symmetry, Jones-Drew broke Taylor’s mark on a 56-yard carry in the third quarter, matching Indy’s ground output for the day on one glorious play.

On the plus side, quarterback Dan Orlovsky threw for 264 yards and a touchdown, though he did throw two interceptions and was sacked three times. Austin Collie grabbed nine balls for 96 yards and also scored a touchdown, while Reggie Wayne picked up 73 yards in what could be his last game as a Colt. Linebacker Pat Angerer finished his breakout year with another strong performance that included 11 tackles, six of which were solo jobs. Antoine Bethea threw in 10 tackles for good measure (eight solo).

All in all, there wasn’t much positive to take from this game or this season, but at least it’s over now. We can turn our attention in earnest to the rebuilding that lies ahead and the fun of speculating about what the Colts will do with the number-one pick. Should be an interesting 2012.

Adam Hughes was raised, and still lives, in rural Indiana. He has been a Colts fans since the team arrived in Indianapolis on a snowy morning in 1984. The Blue and White eventually replaced the Chicago Bears as his #1 team, and Super Bowl XLI was a dream come true.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Subscribe to our feed!.

Indianapolis —
The game — Indianapolis Colts (0-12, 0-3 AFC South) at Baltimore Ravens (9-3, 4-0 AFC North), M&T Bank Stadium (Shaw Sportexe Momentum Turf), Baltimore, MD, 1 p.m. (EST).

Coverage –CBS Sports (Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker); Colts Radio Network (Bob Lamey, Will Wolford, Kevin Lee); Sirius NFL Radio Channel 06 (Colts), Channel 85 (Ravens); XM NFL Radio Channel 233 (Ravens).

The coaches — Colts: Jim Caldwell (24-20, 3rd year); Ravens: John Harbaugh (41-19, 4th year). Caldwell has a 2-0 record against the Ravens. Harbaugh is 0-3 in games against the Colts.

The series –  10th regular-season meeting. Colts lead the series, 7-2. Indianapolis has won every meeting between the two franchises since 2002 (six straight regular-season victories), including a pair of post-season victories (15-6, 2006; 20-3, 2009). The last time that the Ravens won a game in the series occurred in 2001 (39-27 in Baltimore). The Ravens’ two series victories came in 2001 and 1998 (38-31 in Baltimore). Indianapolis won the first game of the series, posting a 26-21 victory in Indianapolis in 1996. The Colts have a 3-2 regular-season road record against Baltimore, including a 17-15 decision at M&T Bank Stadium in 2009.

Noting it — The Colts are closing in on tying the record for the worst regular-season start in franchise history. Indianapolis is currently 0-12 for the year. The 1986 team lost its first 13 games of the season before running off a three-game winning streak to close out the year…Indianapolis is the third home for the Colts’ franchise. The team initially began operations as the Dallas Texans in 1952 before moving to Baltimore for the 1953 season. The team was in Baltimore from 1953 to 1983 before moving to Indianapolis for the start of the 1984 season…QB Dan Orlovsky had career-bests in passing yards (353) and quarterback rating (113.2) in last week’s 31-24 loss at New England…DE Dwight Freeney needs half sack to become the 26th player with 100 career sacks. Freeney has registered 99.5 sacks during his NFL career…DE Robert Mathis has had four sacks in his last five career games against the Ravens…Baltimore offensive coordinator Cam Cameron grew up and attended high school in Terre Haute (South HS). Cameron, the stepson of former Indiana State football coach Tom Harp, played football and basketball at Indiana University. He also served as head football coach at IU….Ravens coach John Harbaugh is the brother-in-law of Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean.

Did you know? — Counting post-season games, the Colts defense has registered six interceptions in their last three meetings with Baltimore.

Did you know 2? — RB Donald Brown is shooting for his third straight games with a rushing touchdown this season.

Did you know 3? — WR Reggie Wayne, with his 52 pass receptions this season, has caught 50 or more passes in nine straight seasons.

Did you know 4? — WR Pierre Garcon has registered single-season best in receiving yardage (805) and has tied his career-high in touchdown receptions with six.

Stat of the week — Including postseason games, RB Joseph Addai has three rushing touchdowns in five career games with the Ravens.

The game plan — Continue to improve on offense. And keep tweaking the defense.

The Colts want to try, if possible, to control the tempo on offense. Indianapolis did a pretty good job against the Patriots defense last week, but the Ravens offer up one of the better defensive units in the league.

Continue their development of the running game, which has shown signs of improvement since the beginning of the season.

Defensively, the Colts can’t afford the communication issues that allowed three second quarter touchdowns at New England.

Getting consistent play from the cornerbacks is paramount, especially since there is only one starter available from the beginning of the season.

Key matchups — Colts QB Dan Orlovsky vs. Ravens rush DE Terrell Suggs. Orlovsky showed pretty good pocket presence last week against New England but was still sacked twice. Suggs, meanwhile, is a one-man wrecking crew for Baltimore with a team-high 10 sacks, two interceptions and five passes broken up.

Ravens RB Ray Rice vs. Colts’ run defense. Rice is coming off a 204-yard effort against Cleveland last week. Indianapolis’ run defense is allowing 99 yards per game and is ranked 26th in the league.

Colts secondary vs. Ravens QB Joe Flacco. Indianapolis cornerbacks are beat up and the safeties, with the exception of Pro Bowl free safety Antoine Bethea, are largely inexperienced. Flacco has completed 240-of-434 passes for 2,895 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

The Indianapolis Colts have finally made an organizational move in response to their 0-11 start to the season. Many fans felt that head coach Jim Caldwell would be the first in the organization to get fired. After a poor defensive effort against the Carolina Panthers, the team announced that they have fired defensive coordinator Larry Coyer.

Indianapolis’ defense is last in the NFL in points allowed per game. They rank 31st in rush yards allowed per game and 29th in yards allowed per game. The defense also has the fourth fewest sacks in the NFL. This is a defense that has Pro Bowl players in Dwight Freeney(notes), Robert Mathis(notes) and Antoine Bethea(notes). They have talented young players like Pat Angerer(notes), Kavell Conner(notes), and Jerraud Powers(notes). There is no reason why this defense should be performing this poorly.

As a fan I feel that this move was long overdue. Every game it’s seemed as if the defense has been poorly prepared and did not make adjustments to what everyone seemed to know the opposing offense wanted to do. Coyer came up with the terrible idea of constantly stunting speed rushers Freeney and Mathis which makes it more difficult for them to get to the quarterback. Coyer also refused to blitz and bring pressure when the defensive line was completely unable to pressure quarterbacks.

Mike Murphy will take over for Coyer as defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season. Murphy has been the linebackers coach in Indianapolis since 1998. Murphy is a proven veteran coach in the NFL and should be able to step right into the role.

There’s no certainty that Murphy will immediately turn around the defense in Indianapolis. At this point in the season there was no reason not to make the change. This is the same move I’ve been hoping would be made with Jim Caldwell. While that still may be the case after the season is over, this move shows that losing will not be accepted by the team. Coyer is the first to go but will surely not be the last. At 0-11, the team has many issues and fans can only hope that this is the first of many changes to be made.

Kyle Rapoza is a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and has been a lifelong fan of the Indianapolis Colts. He attended Super Bowl XLIV in Miami and follows the team closely. Follow him on Twitter @kyler11.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

That’s all for today.

(Sports Network) – Does one man make a difference on how a team performs?

It seems that way with quarterback Peyton Manning and the winless Indianapolis
Colts, who will try once again for their first win of the season Sunday versus
the visiting Atlanta Falcons at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Manning hasn’t played a down this season due to his ongoing neck issues and
will most likely not play at all in 2011 despite remaining on the active
roster. In his absence, the Colts have lost eight consecutive games to start
the year and are virtually certain to have a streak of nine straight playoff
appearances end.

The four-time MVP is expected to occupy a roster spot for the remainder of this
tumultuous campaign and could make a cameo appearance sometime in the latter
weeks of the season. Manning hasn’t been cleared to practice yet, however, and
Colts vice chairman Bill Polian was recently asked about one of the game’s most
respected players making a comeback in 2011 rather than waiting for next
season.

“Well, I think that’s generally true. The only caveat would be I’m not sure we
would play him in ballgames,” Polian said of Manning. “For example, if our
offensive line was as beaten up at the end of the season as it is now, I’m not
sure we’d run the risk of playing him. Not to denigrate [substitute
quarterback] Curtis [Painter] in any way, but a guy coming off that long of a
layoff in front of a non-experienced line would be a little difficult.”

It couldn’t get any worse, however, for the Colts, one of the NFL’s two
remaining winless teams along with Miami. For now, Painter will remain the
starter until told otherwise as the Colts are prepare for a rare showdown with
the Falcons at home after playing their last three games on the road.
Indianapolis has scored just 17 points in losses at New Orleans and Tennessee
over the last two weeks and suffered a 27-10 setback to the Titans last Sunday.

Painter passed for 250 yards with a pair of interceptions against the Titans,
one week after going 9-for-17 for 67 yards and a pick in a 62-7 romp at the
hands of the Saints.

Indianapolis has struggled mightily without its offensive captain in Manning
and is 30th in total offense (294.9 ypg) and scoring (15.1 ppg). The team is
hoping a return to Lucas Oil Stadium to play in front of the home crowd will
lift some of the bewildered spirits.

“It’s always nice to have your home crowd, especially when you’re struggling
offensively,” said veteran center Jeff Saturday. “We like to get our crowd
involved, get them excited, and you can play off that momentum and feed off of
it. So it will be good to be back at Lucas Oil, and I look forward to seeing
some smiling faces and some good fans.”

The Colts will also host Jacksonville before their bye week.

Atlanta enjoyed its week off and will visit the Colts before returning to the
Peach State for three consecutive contests. It headed to the bye riding a
season-best two-game winning streak and a 4-3 record — good enough for a
second-place tie with Tampa Bay in the NFC South standings.

The Falcons took care of Carolina and Detroit before a one-week layoff and
will get a healthy Matt Ryan back under center. The quarterback missed a few
plays in the team’s 23-16 win over Lions with what appeared to be an ankle and
knee issue after left tackle Will Svitek unintentionally stepped on Ryan’s foot
in the pocket.

“Quarterbacks get a lot of notoriety and people’s eyes are always on you, so
they kind of see those things a little bit more so than some other positions,”
Ryan said of his injury. “But that’s par for the course in our locker room.
We’ve got a lot of guys who week in and week out, grind through a lot of
different things and show up on the field. I’m just trying to do like everyone
else.”

It’s difficult to be just like everyone else when you’re the quarterback and
face of the franchise, however, and the allure of Ryan going up against Manning
has worn off now that the latter has been relegated to coaching duties on the
sidelines.

Ryan kept his focus on the team and noted how they’re still things to improve
on and stay consistent with, such as winning football games. Only a game behind
the Saints in the division standings, Atlanta can’t let one slip away this
week.

Like all teams around the league, the Falcons have been hampered with injuries
this season. It was recently learned that left offensive tackle Sam Baker will
miss three-to-four weeks with a balky back and Svitek, who filled in for Baker
at Detroit, will take over as the starter. Rookie wide receiver Julio Jones has
missed back-to-back games with a hamstring issue and tight end Tony Gonzalez
missed some practice time this week with a back issue. Both offensive weapons
are expected to be ready for Sunday’s game, however, and Falcons leading
receiver Roddy White can’t wait to see Jones get back on the field.

“We’ve missed him and his big play ability and the things he brings to the
table,” White said. “I was happy to see him out there on Monday running
routes. He even stayed after practice and we got some work in catching balls.
He’ll be ready to fly on Sunday and we’ll be ready to go.”

Sunday’s game will be just the seventh matchup between the two teams since the
Colts re-located to Indianapolis from Baltimore in 1984.

SERIES HISTORY

The Colts own a commanding 13-1 lead in their all-time series with the
Falcons, with Atlanta’s lone win in the set a 28-21 triumph at the Georgia
Dome on Dec. 6, 1998. Indianapolis has defeated the Falcons three straight
times since, following up home victories in both 2001 and 2003 with a 31-13
decision in Atlanta during the 2007 campaign. The Falcons are 0-6 all-time
against the Colts on the road, with three of those setbacks taking place in
Indianapolis.

Both Atlanta’s Mike Smith and Indianapolis’ Jim Caldwell will be opposing one
another, as well as their counterpart’s respective team, for the first time as
head coaches.

WHEN THE FALCONS HAVE THE BALL

Ryan (1,683 passing yards, 9 TD, 8 INT) had nine interceptions in 16 games a
year ago, but is one pick away from matching that mark this season. He has
thrown a touchdown pass in six straight games since not having one in a Week 1
loss at Chicago, however, though his 63.1 passer rating against Detroit was his
second-lowest of the season and worst since a 55.1 showing in a loss to Green
Bay on Oct. 9. The former Boston College college standout has been sacked 18
times already this season for a Falcons team struggling in yards per play (21st
overall), net yards passing per play (24th) and scoring average (17th). Ryan
has played well against the AFC in his career, having gone 9-3 with 18
touchdown passes to three interceptions for a 96.0 quarterback rating. The
Falcons are 17-0 when Ryan has a rating of 100 or better, and he should have a
chance to get to that mark on Sunday. Atlanta is also 25-8 under Smith in games
played indoors, and each of its last nine games will be played inside a dome.
Gonzalez (35 receptions, 4 TD) leads the team in receiving scores and is second
on the NFL’s all-time list with 1,104 receptions. White (39 receptions, 3 TD)
is hoping the return of Jones will open the offense, while running back Michael
Turner (621 rushing yards, 6 TD) will have Jason Snelling as his new fullback
after the team placed Ovie Mughelli (knee) on injured reserve during the bye.
Turner has rushed for 100-plus yards in two straight games.

The Colts have been brutal on defense this season save for the efforts of
middle linebacker and leading tackler Pat Angerer (90 tackles) and defensive
ends Dwight Freeney (12 tackles, 5 sacks) and Robert Mathis (14 tackles, 4
sacks). Angerer posted 10 tackles against the Titans and has recorded that many
on four occasions this season. Freeney is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and the
franchise’s all-time leader in sacks, but hasn’t had one since a loss to Kansas
City on Oct. 9 for the Colts, who are 31st in total defense (402.9 yards per
game), 32nd in scoring defense (31.5 points per game) and tied for 30th with 12
sacks. Indianapolis is also 31st against the run and will have a tough time
stopping Turner after Javon Ringer and Chris Johnson combined for 94 yards in
last week’s win for the Titans. Mathis said the team practices hard, but just
can’t get over the hump on Sundays. Perhaps a return home can boost the
defense’s energy and lift Indianapolis to its first win. If the Colts can find
a way to slow down the Falcons’ run game and force them to pass, they may have
a chance. In the secondary, safety Antoine Bethea (64 tackles) is a solid
contributor behind two lesser-known cornerbacks in Jacob Lacey (30 tackles) and
Jerraud Powers (35 tackles).

WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL

Painter (1,123 passing yards, 5 TD, 4 INT) has been getting extended time under
center with Manning out due to neck surgery and hasn’t done much to help fans
forget about their beloved No. 18. The former Purdue standout is averaging only
168.3 passing yards with a touchdown and four interceptions in his last three
games, but had a career-best 79 yards rushing in the loss at Tennessee. Running
back Joseph Addai (257 rushing yards, 1 TD) has been bothered by a hamstring
injury and did not play against the Titans. He has missed two of the previous
three weeks because of the problem and had just eight yards on two carries in
the blowout loss at New Orleans. Addai hasn’t rushed for more than 86 yards in
a game this season, but owns 12 rushing touchdowns in 17 career games against
the NFC. Rookie Delone Carter (305 rushing yards, 2 TD) has handled the load in
Addai’s absence and leads the Colts in rushing yards and carries (74). He was
held to 46 yards on nine carries against Tennessee, one game after ripping off
a career-best 89 yards and a touchdown on 10 touches in the loss to New
Orleans. Fellow running back Donald Brown (153 rushing yards, 2 TD) is still
relevant in Indy, and even more so now that Addai is nicked up. Indianapolis’
offensive line has been plagued by injuries this season, but rookie tackle
Anthony Castonzo returned to practice after missing several games with an ankle
injury and should play Sunday.

Atlanta must not take the Colts lightly and hope veteran defensive end John
Abraham (12 tackles, 3 sacks) can muster some pressure up front. Abraham had a
sack his last time out, ending a string of four straight games without getting
to the quarterback, and owns at least one in two of three career meetings with
Indianapolis. Linebackers Curtis Lofton (64 tackles) and Sean Weatherspoon (60
tackles, 2 sacks), who lead the Falcons in tackles, also have to be wary of
Carter or Brown even if Addai is unable to go due to injury. Safety Thomas
DeCoud (37 tackles) is tops on Atlanta with three interceptions, while
cornerback Kelvin Hayden (11 tackles, 1 INT) spent the first six years
of his career with Indianapolis and won a Super Bowl with the team. He is
enjoying a strong first season as a nickel defender with the Falcons and will
have a chance to go against some former teammates this week. The Falcons are
solid against the run this season, allowing 98.4 yards per game, and shouldn’t
have a problem slowing down the Colts’ ground attack. Atlanta is not that
impressive against the pass, however, as it is just 23rd in that category
(265.6 ypg). The Falcons have forced at least one turnover in each of the last
26 games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Colts wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark
combined for 18 receptions last week in defeat and will be counted on to help
out the struggling Painter once again on Sunday. It’s difficult to imagine a
team losing when three different players have 60 or more receiving yards, but
the Colts found a way and hope history doesn’t repeat itself Sunday.

Winning at home for the Colts used to be as common as someone embarrassing
themselves on Facebook or Twitter. Now they are 0-3 as the host this season
after going 17-5 at Lucas Oil Stadium from 2008-2010, and it appears loss No. 4
at home is on the horizon unless they can reassert their dominance there.

Under Smith, the Falcons are 2-1 following a bye week and went 4-0 in November
last season en route to earning the NFC’s top seed. Smith must not let the time
off be a factor for his team against a hungry and winless Colts squad, as
Atlanta had been playing well before the break.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

It will be the Michael Turner show on Sunday, as the bowling ball-type running
back will rush for more than 100 yards in a game for the fifth time this
season. Turner has to be foaming at the mouth for this chance to run against a
banged-up Colts’ defense and is on pace for another 1,300-yard season. Though
Atlanta is tops in the NFL with a league-leading five turnovers inside the red
zone, it shouldn’t have to worry about adding to that total since Indianapolis
has experienced trouble moving the chains this season. The Falcons haven’t had
that problem, converting 45.7 percent of their third downs, which ranks sixth
in the NFL and third in the NFC.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Falcons 30, Colts 17

The Sports Network

That’s all the news for today.

In the midst of an 0-7 start to the season, many Indianapolis Colts fans are searching for answers. The offense, defense and special teams are playing poorly and the team is not winning games. Without Peyton Manning(notes) many fans expected the offense to struggle. Curtis Painter(notes) has played as well as anyone could have expected through his first four starts. The Colts defense has played much worse than anyone could have imagined. They are only missing two key players after injuries to Gary Brackett(notes) and Melvin Bullitt(notes).

The Colts defense currently ranks last in the NFL in points allowed and third-down efficiency, 31st in rushing yards and first downs allowed and 30th in total yards allowed. These defensive statistics show just how poorly the Colts defense is playing. They are playing this bad despite still having Dwight Freeney(notes), Robert Mathis(notes), Antoine Bethea(notes), Jerraud Powers(notes), and Antonio Johnson(notes) from the Super Bowl team of 2009. The talent is certainly there so something else is missing that is causing the Colts to play this poorly.

Many Colts fans felt that changes were needed after the poor start to the season. Cornerback Kevin Thomas(notes) moved into the starting lineup in the week seven loss to the New Orleans Saints. Thomas didn’t play exceptionally well but is now expected to remain a starter. At this point there is no reason not to let Thomas learn and see if he can develop into a future starter at cornerback. The Colts desperately need the help in the secondary and the move to bench Lacey and start Thomas is possibly the first out of several moves for the Colts in the coming weeks.

The real change that may be needed is with the Colts defensive scheme. Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer was chosen by head coach Jim Caldwell after he got the job. Coyer’s philosophy just doesn’t seem to work. The Colts take no risks and players are never in positions to create turnovers and turn the game in their favor. Every time a defensive player leaves they tend to thrive in another system. Colts fans used to think Jim Jennings was one of the worst cornerbacks in the NFL because he constantly gave 10-15 yard cushions to receivers and allowed them constant completions. Once Jennings left and signed with the Chicago Bears, he began playing extremely well and has been a high caliber starter on a top defense in the NFL. Kelvin Hayden also has an interception on the season in limited playing time with the Atlanta Falcons.

Colts fans should be heavily concerned about the performance of the defense so far in 2011. There are certainly talented young players on defense but something is clearly going wrong. As a fan it is noticeable that there is a problem within the Colts organization. I think the players that are there are capable of playing good defense and stopping opposing teams.

The true problem is with the Indianapolis coaching staff. This season has made it clear that if the Colts hope to return to the Super Bowl anytime soon, it’s time to look for a new coaching staff. Jim Caldwell and Larry Coyer are the ones to blame and take the fall for the Colts awful season. The players are playing hard and playing with a lot of heart but they are being out coached every week. With deficiencies in the scheme and philosophies, it appears very unlikely that the Colts’ defense will see much of an improvement in 2011.

More Colts commentary from this Contributor:

Should the Colts Trade Peyton Manning If They Draft Andrew Luck? Fan’s Take

Should the Indianapolis Colts Fire Jim Caldwell: A Fan’s View

Peyton Manning Still May Play in 2011: A Fan’s Take

Kyle Rapoza is a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and has been a lifelong fan of the Indianapolis Colts. He attended Super Bowl XLIV in Miami and follows the team closely. Follow him on Twitter @kyler11.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Thanks for visiting our blog =).

INDIANAPOLIS —
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay announced Wednesday morning via Twitter that veteran National Football League quarterback Kerry Collins has signed with the team. It’s a one-year deal, but financial terms were not disclosed.

By tweeting the news, Irsay scooped his own head coach, who was conducting his daily press conference at the time. Jim Caldwell later issued a statement regarding the Colts’ acquisition of Collins, who played for the Tennessee Titans from 2006 until last season.

“It is a good opportunity to have Kerry become part of the team,” Caldwell said in a statement. “He is a veteran quarterback who has started many games and he brings dimension and depth to the quarterback position, which will be helpful. He is familiar with our division and will make a great addition to our roster.”

Collins has completed 3,439 of 6,163 career passes for 40,441 yards, 206 touchdowns, 195 interceptions and a 73.9 quarterback rating. His pass attempts and completions both rank ninth in NFL history while his passing yardage ranks 11th in the league.

Collins, who very nearly signed with Indianapolis in 2006, has strong ties to the Colts’ hierarchy. He was a first-round draft pick by Carolina in 1995 when Indianapolis vice chairman Bill Polian was the Panthers’ general manager. Caldwell served as the quarterback coach at Penn State when he arrived on campus in 1990.

Also, Colts wide receivers coach Frank Reich was the starting quarterback in Carolina when Collins was drafted. Indianapolis offensive line coach Pete Metzelaars was a tight end on that inaugural Panthers team.

“I was pleasantly surprised to hear from the Colts. It’s an organization that I got a lot of respect for and that I know very well having been in their division the past five years and throughout the years have played against them several times,” Collins said in a teleconference Wednesday evening.

“For me there’s a lot of ties [with Indianapolis]. With Coach Caldwell being my quarterback coach at Penn State and the Polians drafting me coming out of college at Carolina. And Frank Reich. There’s a whole host of people that I have significant history with. So I have a real affinity and a lot of respect for what goes on in this organization.”

The addition of Collins isn’t all that surprising. Starting quarterback Peyton Manning is currently on the Colts’ physically unable to perform list (PUP) after undergoing surgery on his neck May 25. There is no definite date for his return to the practice field and it’s not known if Manning will be available to play in the team’s Sept. 11 season opener at Houston.

And Indianapolis’ primary backup quarterbacks, Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky, have been less than spectacular through the team’s first two preseason games.

According to an espn.com report, other veteran quarterbacks under consideration by the Colts were Jake Delhomme and Marc Bulger.

The 6-foot-5, 248-pound Collins has played for Carolina (1995-98), New Orleans (1998), the New York Giants (1999-2003), Oakland (2004-05), and Tennessee (2006-10). He had retired in July during the NFL lockout, but thought that he still had a few good years left if he could land in the right situation.

“I am really at peace with my career,” Collins told the Nashville Tennessean. “I didn’t win a Super Bowl and that is going to be one of the things that bugs me.

“But when I sit here and look back at the age of 38, I played 16 years and I had kind of a rough start but I am proud of the way I came back from that and the things I accomplished over the years. Physically, I definitely have a couple of years left in me, no doubt.”

He arrived at the team’s West 56th Street headquarters late Wednesday afternoon and set about digging into the Colts’ offensive playbook. Collins won’t play Friday night against the Green Bay Packers but might get some work in Indianapolis’ preseason finale at Cincinnati Sept. 1.

“The fire still burns. It never quit burning,” he admitted Wednesday night. “But I also knew that it would take the right circumstance for me to come back and play.

“This is such a unique opportunity to come here and play for so many people I have so much respect for and history with that it just became something that I really wanted to do. I channeled back into that fire. I get to be a part of this thing and help the team win football games.”

• Collins blockbuster — Colts fans should remember the new quarterback’s performance at the RCA Dome on Dec. 12, 2002 while playing for the New York Giants.

Collins completed 23 of 29 passes for 366 yards and four touchdown in a 44-27 victory. He registered a perfect 158.3 passer rating.

In two games against Indianapolis last year, he connected on 56 of 78 passes for 544 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

• Manning/Collins — Combined, the two quarterbacks have thrown for 8,121 completions in 13,373 attempts for 95,269 yards, 605 touchdowns and 393 interceptions.

Collins will be entering his 17th NFL season. Manning is in his 14th overall season.

• Painter standing strong — The immediate area around Painter’s locker was crowded early Wednesday afternoon. News of Collins’ signing had begun to emerge and the team’s media wanted to get some reaction from the former Purdue signal caller.

“Just continue business as usual,” he voiced, adding that the Indianapolis coaching staff hadn’t said anything to him about his status with the team changing. Caldwell informed the team of the roster addition before the start of Wednesday’s practice.

“I don’t look at it much different than having a couple other quarterbacks here all through [training] camp. I’ve still got to go out and do what I need to do to put myself in the best position to help the team whatever the situation. [The addition of Collins] certainly doesn’t change anything.”

Painter didn’t want to read anything into the Colts’ decision to bring in a veteran quarterback, whether it meant the Manning’s rehab was coming along slower than expected or that the coaches wanted to make a change due to his performance in the last two preseason games. 

“No idea either way,” he said. “I’m not in with the doctors or anything, so I can’t touch on Peyton. I guess it was just a business decision for [team officials]. Again it doesn’t change much from my thought process. I just need to go out there [against the Packers] and be ready for whatever situation presents itself.”

• Wayne reaction — Wide receiver Reggie Wayne continues to be a strong supporter of Painter.

“[The Colts front office] needs to do what they need to do I guess,” Wayne said Wednesday. “I’ll tell you one thing. I’m letting it all hang out for Painter. Like I said before training camp, I’m a Painter fan. I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to make Painter look good.

“I want to hold my end up and make it a hard decision for the organization. I welcome Kerry Collins. We’ve got the same agent. But I also have the same agent as Curtis Painter. I’m letting it all hang out for Painter. He’ll go out with a bang if that’s what it takes.”

He didn’t stop there.

“We don’t even know him, we ain’t vanilla, man, we ain’t no simple offense,” Wayne said. “So for him to can come in here and be the starter, I don’t see it. I think that’s a step back. Who says Kerry’s going be the starter [against Houston if Manning can’t play]?

“Just because we bring him in doesn’t mean he’s the starter. They’ve got to learn too, right, unless they gave him a playbook months ago. We still have Curtis Painter, unless you know something I don’t know. And as far as I know Curtis Painter is still the guy. Nothing against Kerry. I know him very well, I know he’s a good guy. As a matter of fact, I think he’s a great guy. That’s fine. But I still know Curtis Painter and I’m all about getting better.”

• Injury list — Among those sitting out Wednesday’s practice were S Antoine Bethea (hamstring), S Al Afalava (groin), LB Cody Glenn (neck), CB Chris Rucker (hamstring), and TE Mike McNeill (shoulder).

Also, WR Anthony Gonzalez (hamstring), TE Brody Eldridge (knee), LB Gary Brackett (elbow) and WR Austin Collie (foot).

Thanks for visiting our blog =).

ANDERSON, Ind. —
It’s a simple mantra for a defense at any level of football.

“Get to the ball. Get to the ball. Get to the ball.”

It’s a simple philosophy that is at the heart of the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive concepts.

“We’re just mainly trying to emphasize getting to the ball,” cornerback Jacob Lacey said. “That’s tip passes and fumbles. That’s how you make plays.”

The Colts’ primary defensive scheme is the Tampa 2 that was brought to the Circle City by former head coach Tony Dungy. Dungy first learned the Cover 2 system during his playing days in the 1970s for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The defense had a more colorful moniker back then: the Steel Curtain.

This year saw the Colts address some defensive needs during the wild opening to free agency last week as linebacker Ernie Sims, defensive tackle Tommie Harris and defensive end Jamall Anderson were brought into the fold.

The new additions don’t mean a new attitude for the defense. It means that the proverbial volume has been turned up.

“I think we just cranked it up a notch,” Lacey said. “We always had the same attitude where we all run around, play smart, fast and physical football. We got some new faces, some good guys, and we’re just trying to get them implemented into the system.”

Lacey is part of a secondary that is expected to be a strength of the defense. Through the first two weeks of camp, the expectation still holds.

“We are doing a good job. Jerraud (Powers) and (Jacob) Lacey, they (are) going to lead our corners. Myself and Melvin (Bullitt), we are going to do our best to lead the safeties,” safety Antoine Bethea said. “We have two good coaches, Coach (Alan) Williams and Coach (Rod) Perry, and we just want to gel together and we want to work hard. For us, you just watch the ball and we are going to play fast.”

“The more we get after it, the more we sit and study, the better we’re coming along,” Lacey said. “We’re just trying to bond as a unit and get everybody on the same page so we can go out there and play fast.”

Preseason games are about working on timing and using in a game-scenario the lessons learned on the practice field. But a preseason game also serves as a break in the monotony of training camp and gives the Colts a chance to hit someone from another team.

“Very excited. You get kind of tired of just going against your own guys; you want to see some other colors in front of you,” Bethea said. “So we are ready to go out there and compete, and see what we’ve been doing for the past two weeks. See how we look so far.”

“Yes. Definitely. It’s good to get the work versus your own team,” Lacey said. “But you get a real solid look once you go against another team on the game field.”

“Well you know obviously they certainly feel that way. They would like to face another opponent other than their own teammates and they are going to get that opportunity obviously on Saturday. But that’s a good thing for both squads,” Colts head coach Jim Caldwell said. “We will both get a chance to really test where we are. It may be a little ragged in some spots but other than that we will get a good assessment of where we are.”

One reason for any ragged play will be the rust that was accumulated during the labor stoppage. The Colts won’t have a set game plan for the Rams like they would for a regular season game. The focus of Saturday’s game will be the Colts working on their own timing, not beating the Rams.

“We definitely don’t study for them. We are still worried about ourselves. Especially with this being the first game I think it’s more of guys just being excited to get back on the field and play against an opponent that’s not your teammate,” Cornerback Jerraud Powers said. “There’s no game planning going in there. We are going to go in there and just do what we’ve been working on and try to get better.”

“I don’t even know really what to expect,” Lacey said. But for however long I’m out there I’m trying to get myself a game feel and run around out there and play fast.”

Comment Below!.

INDIANAPOLIS —
It was a rather busy Wednesday for Indianapolis Colts vice president and general manager Chris Polian.

With the start of training camp at Anderson University set for Sunday, two of the team’s high profile free agents — strong safety Melvin Bullitt and placekicker Adam Vinatieri — both agreed to new contracts.

While neither transaction will be official until Friday, Bullitt reportedly will sign a multi-year agreement and Vinatieri will remain with the team with a three-year deal.

Now that former Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders is in San Diego, having been released in February, keeping Bullitt in the fold was crucial for an Indianapolis secondary that is still pretty thin depth-wise. Sanders’ long injury issues allowed the former Texas A&M standout to gain valuable playing time and experience.

A former undrafted free agent in 2007, Bullitt was always considered to be Sanders’ eventual replacement in the Colts’ defensive backfield. He had his own injury problems last season, though, and missed the final 12 games of the year after injury his shoulder.

The combination of a healthy Bullitt and free safety Antoine Bethea should give Indianapolis one of the better safety tandems in the National Football League.

Holding on to Vinatieri, perhaps the best clutch kicker in the history of the league, also bodes well for the Colts. After missing most of the 2009 season with injuries, he returned last year to connect on 26 of 28 field goal attempts and 51 of 51 extra point attempts.

Vinatieri wanted to finish his NFL career with the Colts. He got his wish.

“Obviously we don’t sign [a new contract] until Friday, but we’ve agreed to terms. I’m so happy. I’m excited to be here for another three years and be able to play out by career here,” he said Wednesday afternoon. “There’s not a place I’d rather be. I’m just happy to be here.”

A friend of Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, Vinatieri isn’t concerned about when Manning arrives in camp or how long he’ll be sidelined from training camp practices.

 “He’ll be ready to go. I’ve never seen a guy that prepares harder and works harder and rehabs harder to get back on the field,” he said. “I don’t know what his outcome is. I don’t know when he’ll be on the football field. But I know he’ll be back and be ready to go. And we’ll win a lot of games with him.”

By re-signing Bullitt and Vinatieri, running back Joseph Addai figures to be next in line for a new deal. The Colts also have to make decisions on offensive tackle Charlie Johnson and weak side linebacker Clint Session as well.

Due to salary cap concerns, there remains a possibility that Indianapolis may have to part ways with cornerback Kelvin Hayden and offensive tackle Ryan Diem. But that remains to be seen. Hayden and Diem could possibly be released and then brought back under re-worked cap friendlier deals.

n Free agent notes — The Colts have reportedly added former Notre Dame linebacker Kerry Neal to its list of undrafted free agents. Indianapolis officials are expected to announce a complete list today or tomorrow.

Cincinnati has added veteran quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to its preseason roster. Gradkowski, who played collegiately at Toledo and has spent time in the NFL with Tampa Bay and Oakland, is the nephew of former Indiana State offensive guard Mark Gradkowski.

Another veteran free agent, safety Quentin Mikell, has agreed to a four-year $28 million deal with the Rams. He is the son of former Sycamore linebacker Quentin Mikell, Sr.

The New York Jets did not tender a contract to former Terre Haute North and University of Illinois punter Steve Weatherford. Weatherford — who has played with New Orleans, Kansas City, Jacksonville and the Jets — can now sign with any other NFL team.

n Training camp practice schedule released — Indianapolis will begin training camp Sunday morning at Anderson University. The first practices will be Monday at 9:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Practices are open to the public free of charge.  Anderson University will charge a $10 parking fee per vehicle (per session).

Here is the remainder of the camp schedule:

Aug. 2 — 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (a.m. practice is special teams only)

Aug. 3 — 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 4 — 2 p.m.

Aug. 5 — 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 6 — 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 7 — No practice scheduled

Aug. 8 — 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (p.m. practice is special teams only)

Aug. 9 — 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 10 — 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 11 — 2 p.m.

Aug. 12 — 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 13 — Colts at St. Louis Rams, 8:00 p.m.

Aug. 14 — No practice scheduled

Aug. 15 —  3:30 p.m.

Aug. 16 — 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 17 — 2 p.m.

Aug. 18 — 9:30 a.m.

That’s all the news for today.

Former Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders plans to sign a one-year deal with the San Diego Chargers Thursday night, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Sanders also visited the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills this offseason, according to sources.

Since signing a five-year, $37.5 million deal after being named the defensive player of the year in 2007, the oft-injured Sanders played in only nine regular-season games for the Colts.

Sanders played in just one game last season, leaving the Colts’ opener on the team’s first defensive series with a torn left biceps.

With safety Antoine Bethea signing a four-year, $27 million contract last summer; Melvin Bullitt, Sanders’ backup, emerging as a competent starter; and the Colts still trying to sign four-time league MVP Peyton Manning to a new long-term deal, there wasn’t enough room to keep Sanders.

Sanders has 373 tackles, 3½ sacks, two forced fumbles, three recoveries and six interceptions in seven NFL seasons.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Leave your comments on the news below.

POSTED: 4:55 pm EST March 2, 2011

That’s all for today.

Former Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders is visiting Wednesday with the New York Jets, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The free safety, who was recently released, also has made visits with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, according to sources.

Since signing a five-year deal worth $37.5 million after being named the defensive player of the year in 2007, the oft-injured Sanders has played in only nine regular-season games.

Sanders played in just one game last season, leaving the Colts’ opener on the team’s first defensive series with a torn left biceps.

With safety Antoine Bethea signing a four-year, $27 million contract last summer; Melvin Bullitt, Sanders’ backup, emerging as a competent starter; and the Colts still trying to sign four-time league MVP Peyton Manning to a new long-term deal, there wasn’t enough room to keep Sanders.

When Sanders was healthy, he was one of the league’s top defenders.

He played in 14 games in 2005, helping the Colts go 13-0 and earning the first of two Pro Bowl selections. A knee injury limited him to only four regular-season games in 2006, but when he returned for the playoffs, the Colts’ run defense improved dramatically and was a key reason they won the Super Bowl.

Sanders was healthy again in 2007, playing in 15 games, earning another Pro Bowl trip and becoming the first Colts player to win the league’s top defensive award.

Injuries limited Sanders to only six regular-season games in 2008. He missed the first five games in 2009 following knee surgery, then in his second game back, tore the biceps in his left arm and missed the rest of the season.

Sanders has 373 tackles, 3½ sacks, two forced fumbles, three recoveries and six interceptions in seven NFL seasons.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

That’s all for today.

NEW YORK – The NFL fined Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett $35,000 Friday for his hit on Tennessee Titans long snapper Ken Amato in last Sunday’s game.

Brackett was called for an illegal blindside block on Amato as the linebacker ran toward the Colts’ goal line and hit the long snapper from the side in springing Antoine Bethea for a return off a missed field goal. Titans coach Jeff Fisher called the hit “vicious” and said it cracked Amato’s helmet.

Brackett has now been fined three times this season for illegal hits.

The Colts practiced Friday, but there was no media availability.

Earlier this week, Brackett defended the play, saying, “I don’t think it was malicious at all. I think it was just a football play, and I still think I hit him with my shoulder first and the head was secondary.”

The NFL announced several other fines Friday:

- Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs was fined $15,000 for striking Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson in the face after a play. Suggs punched Simpson after being driven to the ground by offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and having his helmet knocked off. Simpson was handing Suggs his helmet when he got punched. Suggs wasn’t penalized on the play.

Suggs acknowledged hitting Simpson after Sunday’s game and expressed relief that the referees didn’t see it, saying, “Lucikly, I got away with one.”

- New England nose tackle Vince Wilfork was fined $10,000 for roughing the passer on Miami’s Chad Henne, whom he drove into the ground. For the same game, Miami defensive end Paul Soliai was fined $10,000 for roughing Brian Hoyer, hitting the quarterback in the head and neck area.

- Oakland defensive lineman John Henderson was fined $7,500 for roughing Kansas City’s Matt Cassel by slamming him to the ground.

As for Brackett’s hit, the competition committee approved the blocking rule in March 2009, partially as a result of a hit Steelers receiver Hines Ward made against Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers. Rivers broke his jaw on the play. It is considered illegal if the blocker hits another player in the head or neck area with the helmet, forearm or shoulder.

Filling in for his father, Bill Polian, on a weekly radio show Monday night, Colts vice president and general manager Chris Polian said he believed it was the first time the penalty had been called. He did not argue the call.

Clearly, Fisher, who serves on the competition committee, thought officials got it right.

“It was probably one of the most vicious hits that I’ve ever seen, and then to come in (Monday) morning and have the equipment guys bring his helmet to me and the helmet was cracked. You can imagine the impact,” Fisher said earlier this week.

Fisher called the hit unnecessary.

League officials have been imposing stiffer punishments for hits to the head or neck area this season. They have regularly announced fines and have threatened suspensions for habitual offenders.

But no players have yet been suspended and the Colts didn’t expect Brackett to be the first.

“I think our league is fair and equitable,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said the day after the game. “They will look at it and make a determination on what should be done and we’ll adjust to whatever that is. If we do not agree with it, we will appeal.”

AP Sports Writer Michael Marot in Indianapolis also contributed to this report.

Thanks for reading! .

NEW YORK — The NFL fined Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett $35,000 Friday for his hit on Tennessee Titans long snapper Ken Amato in last Sunday’s game.

Brackett was called for an illegal blindside block on Amato as the linebacker ran toward the Colts’ goal line and hit the long snapper from the side in springing Antoine Bethea for a return off a missed field goal. Titans coach Jeff Fisher called the hit “vicious” and said it cracked Amato’s helmet.

Brackett has now been fined three times this season for illegal hits.

The Colts practiced Friday, but there was no media availability.

Earlier this week, Brackett defended the play, saying, “I don’t think it was malicious at all. I think it was just a football play, and I still think I hit him with my shoulder first and the head was secondary.”

The NFL announced several other fines Friday:

• Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs was fined $15,000 for striking Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson in the face after a play. Suggs punched Simpson after being driven to the ground by offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and having his helmet knocked off. Simpson was handing Suggs his helmet when he got punched. Suggs wasn’t penalized on the play.

Suggs acknowledged hitting Simpson after Sunday’s game and expressed relief that the referees didn’t see it, saying, “Lucikly, I got away with one.”

• New England nose tackle Vince Wilfork was fined $10,000 for roughing the passer on Miami’s Chad Henne, whom he drove into the ground. For the same game, Miami defensive end Paul Soliai was fined $10,000 for roughing Brian Hoyer, hitting the quarterback in the head and neck area.

• Oakland defensive lineman John Henderson was fined $7,500 for roughing Kansas City’s Matt Cassel by slamming him to the ground.

As for Brackett’s hit, the competition committee approved the blocking rule in March 2009, partially as a result of a hit Steelers receiver Hines Ward made against Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers. Rivers broke his jaw on the play. It is considered illegal if the blocker hits another player in the head or neck area with the helmet, forearm or shoulder.

Filling in for his father, Bill Polian, on a weekly radio show Monday night, Colts vice president and general manager Chris Polian said he believed it was the first time the penalty had been called. He did not argue the call.

Clearly, Fisher, who serves on the competition committee, thought officials got it right.

“It was probably one of the most vicious hits that I’ve ever seen, and then to come in [Monday] morning and have the equipment guys bring his helmet to me and the helmet was cracked. You can imagine the impact,” Fisher said earlier this week.

Fisher called the hit unnecessary.

League officials have been imposing stiffer punishments for hits to the head or neck area this season. They have regularly announced fines and have threatened suspensions for habitual offenders.

But no players have yet been suspended and the Colts didn’t expect Brackett to be the first.

“I think our league is fair and equitable,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said the day after the game. “They will look at it and make a determination on what should be done and we’ll adjust to whatever that is. If we do not agree with it, we will appeal.”

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

There is the quick update of the day.

If anybody needs tickets to games, remember to click the tickets link at the top.

Once left for dead, or at least irrelevancy, the Indianapolis Colts are a win away from being the team no one wants to face in the playoffs.

Seriously, if Peyton Manning is rambling 27 yards on a naked bootleg to seal a win, there is undeniable mojo on the Colts’ side again.

The Colts, now featuring a running game just like a real NFL team, beat the Oakland Raiders 31-26 on Sunday at Oakland Coliseum in a game that clinched nothing, but meant everything in terms of momentum.

Now riding a modest three-game winning streak, the Colts can clinch the AFC South title and a playoff berth with a home win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday or a Jacksonville loss to Houston.

From my spot in front of the flat screen Sunday, the Colts look like a playoff team already. And not just because Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai appear poised to perform a sequel of their 2006 postseason two-man show.

Simply put, the strengths the Colts displayed against the Raiders – defense, running game and intelligence – are always playoff strengths.

(As if to conjure that old 2006 vibe, they even let Raiders return man Jacoby Ford pretend to be Devin Hester with a 99-yard score to open the game.)

The three areas of strength in the Colts’ latest win, all of which will be critical to potential postseason success, are:

♦Defense. This unit, hit by injuries all season, brings a certain kind of grit to the field every game now. Who could have expected that a first quarter in which the Colts denied the Raiders any offense whatsoever would include big plays by backup defensive tackle Antonio Johnson? He stepped in for Daniel Muir and brought some fury.

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis looked at peak levels on the pass rush, and you had to love how Freeney set up Raiders left tackle Jared Veldheer with repeated spins until a bull-rush sack of Jason Campbell. Mathis remains a strip-sack away from turning the game.

Gary Brackett continues to show his speed burst, and even the Colts’ weakest link, the secondary, had its moments. Antoine Bethea was shaken up for a moment, but, thankfully for Colts fans, returned to the game without obvious injury.

The Colts limited the Raiders’ second-ranked running game to 80 yards, well under its average. Credit solid, swarming tackling, much like the Colts displayed against Jacksonville a week earlier.

♦The running game. Rhodes has clearly brought contagious energy to the entire offense.

Three weeks into his third stint with the Colts, Rhodes seems reinvigorated in a way even he might not have expected. He rushed for 98 yards (5.8 per carry) in a punishing, refuse-to-be-tackled manner.

Addai, back on the field for the first time since mid-October, added 45 yards and a touchdown. His pass protection and option as a receiver can’t be overstated in diversifying the Colts offense.

Donald Brown rushed for 28 yards on six carries, but wasn’t used late. I’m not sure if he was hurt or became the odd man out with Rhodes and Addai running well. Either way, there’s suddenly depth and effectiveness in the Colts backfield.

Indianapolis rushed for 191 yards (at 4.9 yards per carry). The Colts have now put back-to-back 150-yards-or-more rushing games together for the first times since – you guessed it – 2006.

Here’s the stat of the season: The Colts are 6-0 when Manning attempts fewer than 40 passes. He was 16 of 30 for 179 yards, three scores and two interceptions against the Raiders. (That back-shoulder touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon? That was right out of the Manning-to-Marvin Harrison playbook.)

♦Intelligence. If you want an example of why veteran players – savvy veteran players – can make a difference, look no further than the final game-sealing drive.

While the Colts were trying to eat the final 1:50 after the Raiders’ only offensive touchdown, Rhodes took a handoff and slid near the sideline after five yards. He could have tried for more yards and risked going out of bounds. Instead, he kept the clock running and forced a Raiders timeout.

Then, needing a first down to seal the win, Manning faked to Rhodes and ran the naked bootleg, sliding at the 2-yard line and setting up a final kneel for the win. These two plays were clearly the result of thinking men’s football players.

As we enter the final week of the regular season, the AFC is loaded with Super Bowl-worthy teams, starting with the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Colts don’t look quite as formidable, thanks in large part to their season-long injury bug.

Indianapolis has been a great team the past decade during the regular season. It has not always handled the role of heavy favorite well in the postseason.

As an underdog or a long shot, the Colts seem to be more dangerous and more unpredictable. One more successful Sunday, and we’ll start to find out how far that potential edge will take them.

Comment Below!.