This point of the Indianapolis Colts regular season is the perfect time to analyze the team’s performance.
Half way through their season, the 4-4 Colts are half decent and half bad. The Colts have been consistently inconsistent, one week pounding competition, the next looking inexperienced and old at the same time.
The Colts concluded the first half in impressive fashion, knocking off the New England Patriots in a 15-18 “chess match,” as described by defensive captain Gary Brackett.
In Sunday’s win, the Colts cut down penalties and turnovers while taking advantage of red zone opportunities, much of what fans have come to expect over the past several years.
The problem is, it’s impossible to determine whether they can maintain this progression on a weekly basis.
“(Sunday’s win) is just like our first half of the season, some good things, some things we have to work on,” head coach Tony Dungy said. “We’re in the hunt, that’s probably the best thing to say about it. We have to get some consistency and get ourselves a winning streak going in the second half.”
Collectively, the team maintains the effort has been there but the execution has been lacking. Offensively, the Colts have been uneven throughout the season’s first half. The Colts offensive line has not gelled, enhancing the team’s sluggish running game. The same tandem that helped lift the Colts to a Super Bowl title two seasons ago, Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes have yet to bring consistency or instill fear for opposing defenses.
What’s worse, the Colts offense is not getting a lot of chances, as the defense is spending too much time on the field by all accounts. Injuries have obviously contributed to the unit’s struggles, as key veteran starters appear to be trading time off.
Last week the Colts returned All Pro safety Bob Sanders to active duty only to lose Marlin Jackson for the season. Upon linebacker Tyjuan Hagler’s return, the Colts found themselves without Freddy Keiaho’s services due to a knee injury. The proof is on the field where the unit has struggled, particularly against the run.
Sitting an even .500 at the midway point is certainly not a scenario these Colts are used to. However, with a half-season remaining, the Colts are far from out of playoff contention.
The AFC South title growing more distant by the week, the Colts must now focus on separating from a log jam of teams vying for a wild card berth.
With their backs against the wall, the Colts most important game is the next game on the calendar. This weekend, the AFC North leading Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves with a short week. Second year head coach and Dungy protege Mike Tomlin has maintained the consistent Pittsburgh threat despite several key injuries, most recently quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s shoulder injury suffered Monday night. The 6-2 Steelers own the AFC’s second best record and are always tough at Heinz Field.
A win against a Super Bowl contender this Sunday would go a long way to their goal of separation.
“We feel like every game now is crucial,” said receiver Reggie Wayne. “The division title kind of is so far away, so we feel like every game is like a playoff game. The AFC right now is like everybody that’s not leading the division is in a big ball. And most of them have got to come through us, so we pretty much control our own destiny.
