No Marvin Harrison.
No Dwight Freeney.
No problem.
Enjoying five straight seasons of 11 wins, it should surprise no one the defending champion Indianapolis Colts find themselves back in the playoff picture despite these key losses.
Following the team’s week 14 drubbing of the depleted Baltimore Ravens, the Colts are riding a wave of momentum as the regular season winds down. Last Sunday’s victory may have been their most impressive this season, as the score does not indicate the Colts level of dominance over a Ravens team that usually plays them close.
Offensively, the Colts have made the most of their situation sans Harrison and have appeared to regain the intricate timing that makes their system work. Without his long-time security blanket, quarterback Peyton Manning is looking more comfortable hitting his targets while not forcing the issue.
Colts head coach Tony Dungy admitted the offense has been regaining a familiar execution, as evidenced by Sunday’s blowout.
“We had been close, I thought that we had been playing better on offense the last couple of weeks,” Dungy said. “It’s nice to win one like this (against Baltimore). We haven’t had many this year.”
With Harrison’s status still up in the air, the Colts are also enjoying timing of a different kind. The team’s late season schedule consists of teams who will be watching the playoffs in January, starting with the team’s final road trip this weekend versus a struggling Oakland Raiders squad.
Heavy favorites entering their final three contests, the Colts can continue to bring young talent like rookie receiver Anthony Gonzalez along for the playoff run.
Of course, it also does not hurt that the Colts offense is getting increased opportunities via a stout defensive unit.
Despite suffering equally crucial personnel losses, the defense has maintained its speedy, hard-hitting identity all season long.
Unlike previous Colts teams that relied on the offensive juggernaut to score in bunches, this year’s defensive incarnation has focused on making things happen while the offense finds its consistency. The unit is among the tops in the league with regard to takeaways and, most importantly, points allowed.
“Any time we give our offense a short field, 9 times out of 10 they’re going to take advantage of the opportunity,” said third year cornerback Kelvin Hayden. “Our main goal is just to keep getting them the ball.”
Sitting at a pretty 11-2, the Colts are not only on target for the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture, the team is a single victory from claiming their fifth straight AFC South crown. Still, there is no satisfaction yet in Colts camp, rather resolve to finish their season as they started.
”We’ve got to go out and win next week,” Dungy said. “We can’t look much further down the road than that. We’re one step closer to our goal, we’ll come back to work (this week) and see if we can take another step.”
Next Game
Colts at Oakland Raiders
Dec. 16 at 4:05 p.m.
TV: WISH (Channel 8)
