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Colts' comeback more than just about Manning
by Gerry Fraley, FOXSports.com
There were no Knute Rockne-like inspirational talks.
"I'm not much for speeches,'' Colts coach Tony Dungy said.
Without a hint of drama, the Colts climbed back from a brink-of-disaster 3-4 start to establish themselves as the hottest team going into the NFL playoffs. They did it the Colts way: with workmanlike efficiency and a superb quarterback.
"We feel like we've been playing elimination games for a while,'' said Manning, won won the NFL's Most Valuable Player award on Friday. "We had a lot of pressure on us. It's nice to know you can answer the bell when you challenge yourself.''
Ordinal out of range
The Colts were fortunate to be 3-4 in October. They had to rally from deficits of 15 points against Minnesota and 17 points against Houston to avoid a 1-6 start.
Now, the Colts storm into the playoffs.
They take a nine-game winning streak into Saturday's opening-round game at San Diego. No Indianapolis team has started the playoffs with the wind at its back as this club will.
During Dungy's seven seasons, the Colts' way has been to wrap up the division title early and pull back late in the season. That approach led to a Super Bowl victory in the 2006 season. It also produced embarrassing opening-game losses in 2002, '05 and '07.
"Our battle came early this year,'' Dungy said. "We stayed focused and got into that stretch where we couldn't afford a loss, and it helped us concentrate.
"We knew it was do-able to get ourselves going and come back, but you have to credit our veteran players who continued to work and practice and not worry about anything other than the next game. It has been rewarding.''
There are practical reasons to the Colts' turnaround. A look at what turned a dead-in-the-water team into a surging force:
THE QUARTERBACK
Manning missed most of the preseason work because of two offseason surgeries on the left knee. He started on opening day, but was about two months away from being game-ready. Manning and the receivers were like grinding gears.
Upon finding the missing groove, Manning started a run that shows no signs of subsiding. In the last nine games, Manning has put on a remarkable display, putting the ball wherever he wants.
The Main Manning
More awards:
In the 9-0 streak, Manning has completed 72.1 percent of his 290 passes for 2,208 yards with 17 touchdowns and only three interceptions. In the last four games, including a cameo on Sunday against Tennessee, Manning has completed 90 of 110 passes for 1,104 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions.
"We've come to expect this from him,'' kicker Adam Vinatieri said. "And he hasn't let us down.''
To be appreciated, Manning's performance must be put into context.
Because of injuries and erratic play, the Colts have lacked even the hint of a running game. They rank next-to-last in the NFL with 79.6 yards rushing per game and last with 3.4 yards per carry. Opponents know Manning carries the Colts' offense, and they have been unable to stop him for two months.
"I think you'd have a hard time arguing that somebody else has helped their team win more than Peyton has us,'' Dungy said.
THE OFFENSIVE LINE
In the 3-4 start, injuries forced the Colts to use four different offensive line combinations involving eight different starters. The lack of continuity showed.
In the 9-0 winning streak, the Colts have used only two different offensive line combinations involving six different starters. If the plan holds, the Colts will start the same offensive line group for a season-high fifth consecutive game on Saturday.
The run-blocking has been inconsistent, but the protection for Manning has been superb. He has taken only five sacks in the last nine games.
"We found that solid group of five, and that's really made the difference,'' Manning said.
RUN DEFENSE
Early in the season, teams ran at will against the Colts.
Jacksonville had 236 yards rushing in a Week 3 win. Opponents had more than 115 yards rushing in five of the first six games and averaged 144.1 yards through the first seven games.
The run defense has improved, just as it did in the march to a win in Super Bowl XLI. In the nine-game winning streak, the Colts have limited opponents to 97.1 yards rushing per game.
It is not a coincidence that strong safety Bob Sanders has played in four of the last nine games after appearing in only two of the first seven games. Sanders, bothered by a balky knee, makes a difference in the Colts' run defense.
In the 2006 playoffs, the Colts held their breath from week to week, and Sanders got through four postseason games. They are in the same situation with Sanders. Dungy said he expects Sanders to play against San Diego, but there are no guarantees for that game or any other.
"This is the playoffs,'' Sanders said. "Regardless of how many games I played in the season, I've got to be ready. No excuses.''
GOOD FORTUNE
If luck is the residue of design, as baseball Hall of Famer Branch Rickey said, the Colts have been hard at work.
They have had remarkable success in close games. During the winning streak, the Colts have five victories by six points or fewer. For the season, they have seven wins — two more than any other team — by six points of fewer.
That reflects the Colts' success with turnovers. In the 3-4 start, the Colts were a plus-1 in turnovers. In the nine-game winning streak, the Colts are plus-8 in turnovers. They have had four games without a turnover during the winning streak.
The Colts also have the latest look in facial hair going for them: "The Streak.''
Running back Dominic Rhodes stopped shaving before the winning streak began. At the urging of teammates, Rhodes stays with the beard, which he calls "The Streak.'' He could be ready to join ZZ Top by Super Bowl time, but anything for the cause.
"I love these guys,'' said Rhodes, back from a year's self-imposed exile with Oakland. "I know we've got what it takes to win.''
It starts with the attitude.
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