There really isn't any truth to Peyton Manning being so good the Colts could put myself and my two sons out on the field with him and he would still find a way to win football games, but the reality isn't too far off. The Colts have been decimated with injuries on both offense and defense.
On offense they were missing Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai and Austin Collie. In addition Donald Brown was coming off injury and was limited. (Brody Eldridge would go down with injury early in the game.) This resulted in 3rd string running back, Mike Hart starting for the Colts (who would limp off the field in the fourth quarter) and Tight End, Jacob Tamme who had only caught 6 passes in his carreer with the Colts. Defensively, the Colts had already lost Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullit to injury and Monday starting defensive back Jerraud Powers and nickle back Jacob Lacey were scratched with foot injuries. Yet the Colts prevailed and took the AFC South lead away from the Houston Texans 31-17.
Peyton played another tremendous game conducting the orchestra that is the Indianapolis Colts. Offensively, Mike Hart showed so much tenacity running for 84 yards on 12 carries. His 35 yard run sparked the Colt's first touchdown drive but the best play he made in my opinion was on another drive that led to a touchdown. The pick up was only for about 5 yards but it was on third down and it appeared the Houston defense had stopped the play but Hart fought hard and made the first down. Hart showed Heart. Jacob Tamme equaled his career reception total and scored the Colts first touchdown. Oh yes, other Colts did their parts. Reggie Wayne did his usual admirable work and Pierre Garcon made a spectacular play when he caught a wide receiver screen that appeared to snuffed out by the Texan defense but Garcon turned it into positive yardage for a first down with Peyton, yes I wrote Peyton, leading the way blocking down field.
The defense applied pressure on Matt Scaub all evening. Dwight Freeney was named defensive player of the week for the outstanding way he pushed around the Texan offensive line capping the Colt's victory with his strip sack of Schaub when Houston was driving toward a touchdown late in the game. Clint Session was a man. He delivered a number of vicious hits. Even the special teams looked better and the insertion of Blair White returning punts appears to be a solved problem for the Colts.
For me though Bill Polian and the scouting team may be the MVPs for the Colts. No other team has been hit so hard with key player injuries like the Colts but players keep filling in and doing admirable jobs. The Colts do a great job of discovering talent with good attitudes, people who have the character to step in and get the job done.
It was a nice victory and agift to Tony Dungy as he was honored during half time by being placed in the Colt's ring of honor.
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