Frankly, I don't think the Colts are going to make the play offs this year. I'm picking the Cowgirls to hand the Colts a third loss. The Colts need to retool their offensive line which was literally man-handled by the Chargers.

He makes some good points. I don't know about Harrison being singled out, but it does appear that the "protect the quartberback" rules are enforced beyond reason when it comes to certain QBs and completely ignored with the rest.

Terrell Suggs sounds off on NFL policy

Some people who don't know football might say the elite Chargers just got their heads handed to them.
A real thriller going on in Tampa Bay right now.
Didn't see the Cowboys-Colts, although I saw that Manning threw 2 pick 6's. That's 4 in recent weeks. Not good.

The Oakland Raiders are the best team in their division. The Raiders have got up for the Chargers two times. The Chiefs have a cupcake schedule which is why I can't give much weight to their record at this time.

Home: Denver, Oakland, San Diego, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Arizona, San Francisco, Buffalo

Away: Denver, Oakland, San Diego, Houston, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Seattle, Cleveland


The Colts had their chances but it's just not their year. The Colts did not run the ball well at all.

Well actually the Raiders and the Chiefs play nearly the same schedule since they are in the same division. The only major difference I see is that the played the Steelers. The Raiders may well be the best in the division, but don't write off the Cheifs just because you do not like them. The Raiders have played very well at times this year and as I have said before they have gone the complete opposite at times. But given where they were last year this year is major improvement, of course the same can be said of the Chiefs.

The Colts have serious issues up front and it is interesting that some of the players got real upset after the Super Bowl last year when owership called them on it then. This team as no real running game at this point and I know injuries are a part of the problem. But somehow this line has got to find a way a way to open up some holes. The group of running backs they have with Addai, Brown, Hart and even James are not a bad group but blocking just is not there. 15-20 yards a game is sad and needs to be improved. Without the threat of even a fair running game it allows defenses to set up for the pass on every play and ignore any prospect of the run. More people in the backfield means more interceptions. Come draft time we need to find some big strong linemen who can open up some running room. Get even a hundred yards a game in total rushing offense and they have to honor play action and Manning won't be forcing passes in such tight spaces. Of course get Addai, Gonzo, Collie and Clark back in the lineup and it is something else as well. I must say that some of these guys that have come up off the practice squad have done right well with their performances this season.

Winning has become so common place here in Indiana that this 3 game skid is a little tough to take. But the guys will be back, if not this year everyone will be healthy next year, well asssuming there is a next season. If no strke comes about I would be thrilled to have them make a great run next year since we host the Super Bowl. I dond't believe anyone has ever won a Super Bowl in their own city.

Injuries or or not we have to win out from here on in to get into the playoffs. Have not even looked at wild card setup but with six loses it is doubtful the Colts will be in the mix.

I get the "injuries are part of the game" thing. Sure. They can`t be use as an excuse, but can be pointed out in some cases as a REASON why an elite team is struggling. Example: Lakers steamroll 11-1 through playoffs on their way to a 3peat-Byron Scott pops a hammy.3 days later Magic pops a hammy+ Detroit, who were not anywhere near in the Lakers class win the series. Lakers win@ a .800% with Karl Malone in 2004-Malone suffers the ONLY major injury in his 20 year career+ the Lakers play barely .600 ball+ lose in the finals as the stifling defense suffers in the paint. Brady goes down in game 1 a few seasons back-THE reason the Pats struggle thru the season. Earlier in this thread, I pointed out that EVERY quarterback that normally puts up deity-like numbers(be it Favre, Manning, Brady, Brees, Marino, even Montana)-ya put a devastating pass rush on em+ they ALL start 2 look mortal. Injuries`ve SO decimated the Colts that Manning just doesnt have the time 2 do his usual surgical dissection. Injuries main REASON

Where injuries hurt a team like the Colts is that there offense is so based much on timing plays. Manning is usually throwing to a spot before the receiver is there. Work with a different set each week and timining is going to be off. As you noted put on a major rush and again timing is off. Two of biggest injuries for this team have been Clark and Addai. While Addai does not put up pro bowl russing numbers, but he is an outstanding receiver and one first class pass blocker. Something that is not as good with any of the three replacements. Clark likewise is a great blocking tight end who also is a world class receiver. Tamme has done well but he is no Dallas Clark.

You are right in that none of these injuries can be used as an excuse. Injuries come to all teams, though we do seem to have more then our share this year. But that is the nature of the game. You can see it in the face of Manning especially yesterday, but he still brings them back to tie the game.

Now we just have to weather out the next four games. Addai should be back next week, Collie I am not sure, rather he did not rush a head injury. Hopefully we can keep the playoff streak alive, but at this point I am looking more to next year. Getting everyone back in the fold and regrouping.

I made a comment when the Cowboys made the coaching switch that mid season changes do not allways work. Well in this case they did work and seem to be working very well. There is a new attitude down in Cowboy land.

This has been a crazy season thus far, but I think a fun one for the fans due to the fact that no one has stepped out as a clear cut favorite this year. Now one can only hope that the parties concerned will get this barganing agreement taken care off and not make a train wreck out of next season.

Cowboys are still a long way from being where they thought they were - Deion Branch is torching the Jets at the moment - but the new attitude does have people playing harder. The Colts are struggling, but do you think the Dallas D would have picked him off 4 times if this game had been played in October?
Yeah. They need to get the CBA, or 2011 will be a very long, dull year. Same goes for the NBA.

Injuries are SURELY a factor in a teams success. How could they not be?

Wasn't surprised at the Jets/Pats outcome but I was surprised at the beating they gave the much over-rated Jets. Mark Sanchez is not very good at this point in his career. The Pats are very dangerous. The young defense is much improved as the year progressed and the offense is much better without Moss. They have the best offensive line in football and Brady is the best at taking what he is given and to go up and down the field all day long on teams.

I'm glad they won Monday night as they are 27-1 after a loss and are coming to Chicago on Sunday where they are already talking a big snowstorm in the forecast which really benefits neither team but is often fun. The Jets defense is nothing fancy. They just strap it up and get after you and Belechick new that and took advantage of the over pursuit, lack of discipline and inability to adjust their game. The Bears have been very good this year at adjusting to other teams. Julius Peppers and the D-line against the Pats O-line will be something to watch. Bears have won 5 straight and keep getting better and they are healthy. Pats on a short week on the road should make it a very winnable game for the Bears who will certainly be ready for the challenge. If they can protect Cutler (which has been a problem at times), the Bears win this game. They are too hard to defend with so many people involved in the offense. It's been someone different every week stepping up and contributing.

And then then there is that Bear defense. Pat's can move the ball but will they be able to do so against that Bear defense. Weather should be fun, cold and windy probably play havoc with both passing games. Not sure what they have in the Windy City but here in South Bend we have around 4-6 inches of fresh snow. Thanks to the ever present lake effect. Temps are supposed to be in the 20's all week. Add the Chicago wind and wow! I am not big on playing in the snow, but it does add another factor to the game.

I have been blessed with an early Christmas present from the Indiana Lottery in the form of a Colts game package. Get a pair of nice seats and deluxe downtown hotel room for the night of the game, along with some cash and gift certificates for food and the team gift shop. The also tossed in a game ball from the game we are going to (Jan 2nd vs the Titans). Given that the Colts are sold out unti the day Manning retires ( and maybe beyond) this may likely be my one chance to see my team in person. And who says there is no Santa Claus!

The Colts of course can close the roof on a cold Winters day and this old man won't have freeze his butt off. I would more then likely have enjoyed even a winter game back in the day, but these old bones just do not do will in the cold anymore.