Ask some (more of) Colts fans

Not so much an issue but more a sign that there is a fine line between winning and losing. Also, it’s not like the Colts have played punks the last few weeks. The Patriots, Ravens, 49ers, and Texans are all quality teams. Now, they get the Titans who have managed to respond to an 0-6 start by proving that they too are a quality team.

If I had to boil it down to one thing for each game that “caused” each game to be close, it would be:

49ers- Very good defensive game plan that confused our offense most of the game

Texans (Part 1)- Not converting inside the 30, which let a good offensive team hang around

Patriots- The freak that is Randy Moss

Ravens- Offensive turnovers

Texans (Part 2)- Freeney being out

Those are oversimplifications, obviously, but it gives you a general idea for each game.

The injuries drive people like me nuts, and they are likely a reason why the Colts have played so many close games this year. You gotta think that if Kelvin Hayden is playing against the Patriots that Randy Moss doesn’t go nuts in the first half. You gotta think that if Dwight Freeney played last week, maybe the Texans don’t jump out to a 17-0 lead.

The silver-lining is younger players have been able to play significant roles in many key games. If Anthony Gonzalez does not go down in Week One, then players like Austin Collie and Pierre Garçon likely do not develop as quickly has they have this year.

for the first time ever. A large chunk of the players on that report fully practiced all week.

Well, I know how they could, and I don’t think it is a stretch to say they will. And I’m not even a Titans fan.

Thanks for the info ;-)

While I respect your opinion, you’re not much of a judge of talent. You might remember Austin Collie making Keith Bulluck look like a lost child waiting for the school bus in the earlier meeting this year. Collie scored on a TD just before halftime, beating Bulluck in the slot and plowing his way into the endzone. And while I agree with you that Kenny Britt is a fine young receiver, factor in that Britt has 33 catches for 521 yards and 2 TDs. Collie has 43 receptions for 483 yards and 4 TDs, and he plays much of the game at slot receiver (aka, doesn’t start). Collie runs excellent routes, has great hands, and is very posed for a rookie WR. He is a legit Rookie of the Year candidate, but since people think Peyton Manning could make a blind camel look good as an NFL receiver, Collie won’t get much mention for RotY.

Also, while the numbers do not look great, the Colts running game is actually pretty good. They’ve run very well in the fourth quarter of games, allowing them to ice several of these fourth quarter comebacks.

but just because of how the teams use players. The Titans 3rd WR probably doesn’t see all that much time on a team with several decent TEs and a real fullback. While the Colts had a vacancy at a starting WR spot thanks to Gonzo’s injury.

If they switched teams the PT would get very unbalanced in Britt’s favor.

Garcon is really weird. In the preseason, he couldn’t catch swine flu in a crowded high school, then he had several good plays in Week 2 and 3. So, after we got all excited for Garcon, he suddenly started dropping everything that was thrown near him. If I remember right, in one game, he was targeted some 13 times and only caught 3. So, after we get to the part where we groan every time we see Garcon targeted, he has looked like he superglued his hands to the ball for the last 2 games. I can’t figure him out.

Thank you for noticing. I agree with you 100%.

The answer to your question is Colts defensive coordinator Larry Coyer. It is my opinion that players respond better to him than they did Ron Meeks, who was not bad but lacked something that would allow this defense to take the next step and stay there, consistently. Coyer has implemented more blitz packages and defensive alignments that maximize match-ups for players like Freeney and Mathis. Also, guys like Daniel Muir, Antoine Bethea, Melvin Bullitt, and Jerraud Powers are playing at a very high level now. They’ve all made a big difference.

and we are very proud of the Colts #1 scoring defense. The simple answers to why they are so good is Coyer and Polian. Polian has stocked this team with incredible talent and depth, and Coyer has done a very good job as defensive coordinator with his schemes and in-game adjustments.

CJ (Titans): the Colts are very good at limiting big plays (one Frank Gore run and a couple Brady to Moss deep balls notwithstanding). CJ will probably have a better game than last time, but I don’t think he’s likely to pad is line with a long score or two like he’s been doing all year (minus the first Colts game).

80 yards or so if he gets a lot of carries.

About Peyton, yeah, what Shake said.

of them tying the Patriots record for consecutive wins but us coming back in the 4th would be more like getting a taste of your own medicine.

Yes that would suck, although if the Colts do lose, I have a feeling that I won’t be thinking afterwords that they played their A game.

Losing in general sucks. But, going undefeated in the regular season is not something I necessarily want the Colts to do. If it happens, yay! If not, my concern is seeing them lock up homefield advantage.

Also, if the Titans bring their A game and the Colts bring their A game (and both teams are reasonably healthy), the Colts will win. The Colts are, quite simply, more talented and are playing at home. The Titans have not won a meaningful regular season game in Indy since 2002.

sure Superbowl and the leagues top player left

vs

6ish more years as a SB contender, but no guarantees on a title

I’d take option B. I think it was a Texans fan that I told I’d rather the Colts be the Braves than the Nationals.

Peyton can retire as a champ all he wants, but it better be in 6 years or more. Peyton retiring as a 6-in-a-row champ would be pretty cool, don’t you think?

They may well beat the Titans this week, but the Saints just VAPORIZED the Patriots, and quite honestly, if they’re on their game, they’ll vaporize everyone else, too. Look, the Saints are the only team that can get into a shoot-out with the Colts and Pats and reasonably expect to win. That’s HUGE.

i think it is something we realize is always a possiblity and wont take for granted because we have had it happen so many times. however this time it feels diffrent to me, to me going into the playoffs i was pretty often not sure about the D but now i got more confedince than ever.

for example last week us being down 17 (in past years i would have thought we were done) i felt we still were going to win it and idk exactly why mabye it has to do with our D this year averaging two takeaways per game. also although the bolts have looked better they are less of a threat than in the past i think

Yes. That is always a possibility no matter who you are entering the playoffs. That’s what makes the NFL so great. When the playoffs start, the 12 teams in are set back to zero. What you did during the regular season then means nothing.

Man, I don’t want to see the Chargers again. Praying for Denver or Cincy as our first game.

Once he’s 100% I think he does, but they’d probably to happy to ease him into the offense when he’s first getting back.

After the never ending saga of the Marvin Harrison injury, there are quite a few people here who don’t think Gonzo is coming back. My inclination is that he would resume the #2 role in place of Garcon. However, if Garcon keeps that superglue on his hand Gonzo’s return to the lineup might be short lived. Collie plays in the slot and would likely be unaffected.

of the season like other years, but it’s not so you gotta complain to the schedule makers.

It wouldn’t shock me. The Colts usually throw in one half hearted performance after clinching. It gets rid of all the 16-0 talk and lets them justify resting the starters later on. Unfortunately for you, we don’t have home field locked up yet so it may not be this weak.