How Good are the Colts?

Do you want to know how good Indianapolis is? They played their worst game of the season offensively, and they still only lost by 2 points. In fact, it came down to a missed field goal by the game’s most clutch kicker.

Anyone out there unsure of this defense?

It held the San Diego Chargers from ever establishing itself, as Tomlinson finished with a 3.6 yard per carry average and Philip Rivers finished with just over 100 yards through the air.

And despite Peyton Manning throwing a very uncharacteristic 6 interceptions in this game, the Colts still dominated the clock from start to finish (time of possession: 36:12). San Diego managed only 11 first downs to the Colts’ 25 and Indianapolis ran 34 more plays.

The Colts lost this game, but it wasn’t because of the team’s defense. It allowed 10 points. Indianapolis’s special teams, meanwhile, allowed a pair of scores which put the Chargers ahead 23-0 midway through the second quarter. In fact, Indianapolis’s defense scored a touchdown when Philip Rivers’ let the ball slip from his grasp and into the endzone where it was recovered by the defense.

Even after Vinatieri missed the 29 yard field goal that would have won the game with a minute and a half to go, Indianapolis still forced a three-and-out and gave Manning 22 seconds to work with.

And it should be noted that Peyton Manning threw 4 of the interceptions in the first 34 minutes of the game, and the sixth was a deep pass with :09 showing on the clock.

In short, the Colts defense showed it can shut down an offense, no matter how poorly Peyton Manning plays. Just imagine if the Colts’ offense had showed up on Sunday.

Scary.