Don’t look know but the Colts have won six straight and might very well win out to finish 12-4. The Colts are as healthy as at any time this season, will have home field in the wild card round, and not a team a team you likely want to see after the first of the year.
The Colts got off to a slow start including losses to Chicago, Jacksonville, Green Bay, and Tennessee enroute to a 3-4 record after seven games. Wins over New England and Pittsburg got the ball rolling and now the Colts are sitting in the catbird’s seat and still petty much under-the-radar.
Under-the-radar ??? Pretty much. Seven of the Colt win are by six or less, six of those wins by four or less. Peyton Manning got off to a slow start after July surgery to remove an infected bursa sac behind the knee and key injuries to the offensive line (Jeff Saturday) left the Colt offense without much punch.
The six straight wins are directly attributable to Manning’s improved play. After not taking a snap during the preseason, Peyton’s timing and synchronization with his receivers was clearly off.
Through the first seven games, Manning had thrown for just 1654 yards and a 10/9 touchdown to interception ratio. In the 6-0 run, Manning is 145-212 for 68.3%, 1471 yards, and a 12/3 ratio. Things only figure to get better as Joseph Addai’s shoulder problems improve.
With Detroit, Jacksonville, and a likely indifferent Tennessee on deck, Manning’s season numbers (3225, 22-12) translate out to a tick under 4000 yards and 30 touchdowns, very similar (4267, 29-10) to Manning’s first MVP year in 2003.
Is there a third MVP in Peyton Manning’s future ??? Hard to say but …. the Colts are peaking at the right time, will be a major in this years playoffs, and you’d be hard pressed to find one single player ( Tony Romo ???) whose success is so intertwined with the success of his team.
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