The difference between a championship game and a well-hyped game is that for the loser, there is still time to recover for a greater prize.
Following their Week 9 let down, a 24-20 loss to the rival New England Patriots, the Colts find themselves in this very position.
It is not one for which they are recently familiar; still it is how the defending Super Bowl champions respond that may define their season’s latter half.
The 7-1 Colts enter the final eight games fresh from a tough loss, but still in control of the AFC South Division and in prime position for a postseason bye. Prior to Sunday’s showdown, the team’s pulse was one of confidence that one regular season game would not define them, no matter the outcome.
After their first loss of the season, the team is looking immediately to put their first half away to regain their week-to-week focus.
“We’ve got to keep pace and stay ahead in our division,” said Colts head coach Tony Dungy. “The second half of the year is going to be tough. To be 7-1 at the end of the first half, you’d probably take that every year, but the disappointing thing is you can’t lose home games.”
Entering the final half of the season however, the Colts find themselves tackling greater issues than one home loss. The team is far from full strength and, while the uncertainty at key positions is glaring, there is a certain Hall of Fame caliber receiver nursing a knee injury that is expected to linger throughout the season at the very least.
Marvin Harrison’s prognosis is further complicated by potential issues with rookie receiver Anthony Gonzalez, whose dislocated thumb may require additional time off.
Of the team’s brightest spots thus far, the Colts’ defense has risen to the league elite after a solid first half. Proving to be as stout as ever in the Dungy system, the unit hits as hard as they are fast.
In holding New England well below their season point average, the defense is also raising confidence in their ability to adjust in adverse conditions, something they will likely have to do should the teams meet again in the postseason.
With any potential rematch more than a half-season away, cornerback Marlin Jackson said the Colts must simply tip their hats, bounce back and prepare for their next game. The Colts travel to San Diego this Sunday to face an up-and-down Chargers team.
“This is a long season, we’ve still got a lot of games left,” said Jackson. “If we focus on the loss, who knows what can happen. But we’re going to continue to take it this week with a focus on playing better football.”
Once thought on par with the Colts and Patriots, the Chargers find themselves this week also recovering from a loss where the team gave up the NFL single-game rushing record to rookie Adrian Peterson.
Despite their surprisingly average record, the 4-4 Chargers remain a threat to challenge in the conference as long as reigning MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is in the starting backfield.
Clearly, on paper San Diego has more to lose entering their Sunday night clash than simply their tenuous tie atop the AFC West.
But with a tough final half upon them, the Colts can ill-afford to start their second half as their first half ended.
Next Game
Colts at San Diego Chargers
Nov. 11 — 8:15 p.m.
on WTHR &mdash TV (Channel 13)
