The Stats:
Regular Season Record: 12-4
Last Six Games: 3-3
All-Time Playoff Record: 16-16
Colts' Previous Playoff Results
The Team:
Team Colors: Speed Blue and White
Head Coach: Tony Dungy
Owner: Jim Irsay
Mascot: Blue
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Offensive Rankings:
Run: 18th (110.1 ypg)
Pass: 2nd (263.9 ypg)
Overall: 3rd (379.4 ypg)
Points Per Game: 2nd (26.7 ppg)
Key Player: Peyton Manning
It's no secret Peyton Manning is the orchestrator of the Colts offense, and so much this postseason depends on how he plays. He has shown a tendency to get flustered in big games, and can be pushed out of his comfort zone when forced out of the pocket. However, he also has the precision to carve up any defense in the NFL when he is on.
Defensive Ranking:
Run: 32nd (173.0 ypg)
Pass: 2nd (159.3 ypg)
Overall: 21st (332.3 ypg)
Points Per Game: 23rd (22.5 ppg)
Key Player: Gary Brackett
Dwight Freeney is the biggest impact player on this defense, but the play of MLB Gary Brackett against the run is going to be a much bigger key. The Colts have got to figure out a way to get off the field quicker on defense, and put the ball back into Manning's hands on offense more often. During their recent struggles, the Colts' possessions have been limited, and their time of possession has suffered because of it.
Special Teams:
Key Player: Terrence Wilkins
Turnovers:
Give Aways: 5th (36)
Take Aways: 1st (44)
Outlook:
The Colts have a serious problem on defense, and it's going to take the offseason to begin to correct them. Their inability to stop the run is not just a slump. Instead, its been a downhill spiraling trend since early in the season.
If the Colts can somehow find some type of bandage to paste on this gaping head wound they call a run defense, they could be as dangerous as anyone in the postseason. In reality, though, it appears the Colts are heading for a quick exit from this year's playoffs.
Colts Roster:
Offense
18 - Peyton Manning QB
12 - Jim Sorgi QB
29 - Joseph Addai RB
30 - DeDe Dorsey RB
33 - Dominic Rhodes RB
88 - Marvin Harrison WR
85 - Aaron Moorehead WR
11 - Ricky Proehl WR
84 - John Standeford WR
83 - Brandon Stokley WR
87 - Reggie Wayne WR
10 - Terrence Wilkins WR
44 - Dallas Clark TE
47 - Jerome Collins TE
81 - Bryan Fletcher TE
48 - Justin Snow TE
86 - Ben Utecht TE
63 - Jeff Saturday C
71 - Ryan Diem OT
76 - Daniel Federkeil OT
78 - Tarik Glenn OT
74 - Charlie Johnson OT
57 - Dylan Gandy OG
65 - Ryan Lilja OG
73 - Jake Scott OG
69 - Matt Ulrich OG
Defense
79 - Raheem Brock DE
93 - Dwight Freeney DE
99 - Ryan LaCasse DE
98 - Robert Mathis DE
64 - Bo Schobel DE
91 - Josh Thomas DE
61 - Dan Klecko DT
92 - Anthony McFarland DT
95 - Darrell Reid DT
50 - Rocky Boiman LB
58 - Gary Brackett LB
51 - Gilbert Gardner LB
56 - Tyjuan Hagler LB
59 - Cato June LB
54 - Freddy Keiaho LB
94 - Rob Morris LB
53 - Keith O'Neil LB
42 - Jason David CB
25 - Nick Harper CB
26 - Kelvin Hayden CB
28 - Marlin Jackson CB
27 - Tim Jennings CB
34 - T.J. Rushing DB
41 - Antoine Bethea S
20 - Mike Doss S
43 - Matt Giordano S
36 - Dexter Reid S
21 - Bob Sanders S
Kicker/Punter
4 - Adam Vinatieri K
17 - Hunter Smith P
