I think it was yours truly who stated last week that the Indianapolis Colts would not be tested until their arch rival New England Patriots come to town to on Nov. 15.
I stand corrected and now offer an apology to the San Francisco 49ers who indeed came dangerously close to handing the home team their first loss of the season.
Playing with a make shift offensive line due to injuries, the 49ers set the tempo early just over three minutes into the game with a 64 yard touchdown romp from running back Frank Gore.
The Colts would find the San Francisco defense very real and as a result, could only manage a field goal in the first quarter. Indianapolis would again feel the sting of the 49er defensive unit in the second period as they could manage just two field goals before heading to the locker room at halftime trailing San Francisco who increased their lead to 14-9 courtesy of a eight yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to tight end Vernon Davis.
While the Colts defense would come to life in the third quarter and place a strangle hold on San Francisco, the offensive unit would continue to sputter and could only produce another field goal against an inspired 49er defensive unit which would sack Peyton Manning three times on the day and cause him to throw earlier than he desired on numerous occasions.
The fourth period finally provided some drama for the sell out crowd in attendance as the Colts would score what would be the winning touchdown on a 22 yard pass from running back Joseph Addai to Reggie Wayne, who did a brilliant job in getting both feet down inbounds deep in the corner of the end zone.
The Colts defense which held San Francisco scoreless in the second half, would then come to life even more in the fourth quarter, as both Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney would sack 49ers Quarterback Smith and turn back the improbable upset bid that looked quite real at halftime.
Notes: The 49ers were just two for 10 in third down situations.
Reggie Wayne who played with an injured groin caught a career high 12 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. Not bad for a guy who had to take treatments all week just to suit up.
Wayne has quietly become as good as any receiver in the NFL and yes, that includes Randy Moss folks. Wayne’s emergence in the past three years has totally eliminated the worries about who would replace former Colt and future Hall Of Famer Marvin Harrison.
Jim Caldwell became the first rookie coach since the NFL merger in 1970 to start a season 7-0. Caldwell modestly deflected all the credit to his players after the game.
San Francisco, who has been mired in mediocrity since the departure of the late Bill Walsh, looks to have corrected the ship with the hiring of head coach Mike Singletary. His players have taken to the physical, yet smart style of play he was famous for when he distinguished himself in his playing days as an All Pro linebacker for the Chicago Bears. Look for Singletary to continue the restoration project and restore the 49ers back to the proud and great franchise they once were in the NFL.
Peyton Manning who completed 31 of 48 passes for 347 yards, failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in nearly a year. While he had been sacked just two times all season coming in to the game, Manning was sacked three times by an aggressive 49er defense that applied pressure to him all day.
The next Colts game is Sunday Nov. 8 against the much improved Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium at 1 p.m.
The game can be seen locally on CBS.
Danny Bridges, who feels Jim Caldwell is about to bust out of the shadow of both Tony Dungy and Bill Polian and show the NFL just how good of a coach he really is, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or Bridgeshd@aol.com.
