That familiar feeling is returning for the Indianapolis Colts.
Winners of three straight, the rejuvenated Colts offense is powering the team’s playoff run in a jam — packed AFC conference.
While the AFC South title is fading with each week, the Colts are in prime position to gain a wild card berth. With six games remaining, the Colts are four games behind the 10-0 Tennessee Titans, the league’s lone remaining undefeated team.
On the offensive end, reports of Hall of Famer-in-waiting Marvin Harrison’s demise appear premature, as evidenced by his breakout performance in the Colts 33-27 week 11 victory over the Houston Texans. Along with Harrison’s resurgence, the Colts are also enjoying shades of a revitalized rushing attack.
All in all, head coach Tony Dungy said his team is beginning to peak at the right time. He attributed the recent success in particular to the Colts execution late in games.
“We’re on a three game streak now, we haven’t gotten one all year,” the coach said. “November is the time to get them. Getting three in a row, getting back in the race is big for us.”
“We’ve had games that could have gone either way, we could be 4-6, or we could have 7 or 8 wins,” Dungy added. “Making plays in the fourth quarter is what you have to do and the last three weeks that’s what we’ve been doing.”
In terms of the team’s rushing attack, it’s safe to say the duo of Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes have not met their own lofty expectations. The Colts rank dead last in rushing production, something Addai admitted has been frustrating.
After enjoying his first 100-plus yard effort of the season, Addai is confident the team’s ground game will emerge as the season reaches the home stretch.
“We are human, but you want to be able to stay focused regardless,” Addai said of the recent criticisms. “Sixty minutes on the field you’re focused but when you go home it’s like ‘man I wish this could have happened or that could have happened.’ But everything happens for a reason, and now we’re just trying to win games.”
Should the Colts continue their winning ways next week versus the 4-6 San Diego Chargers, the team would enjoy a greater distancing in the conference for a wild card nod, while also hurting the chances of a team that notoriously gives the Colts postseason fits.
The Colts will not return to Lucas Oil Stadium until week 14, when the hapless Cincinnati Bengals come to town.
