Mister Faded Glory | www.misterfadedglory.com

Hey, everybody! It’s the 2006 Indianapolis Colts! They’ve shown up for the season!

Actually, last night’s win over a very good Cincinnati team was a must for the Colts. Even though they had already clinched the division with schizo Jacksonville losing on Sunday, the Colts needed to affirm their superiority to the rest of the AFC. With an inspired defensive performance, and a dominant offensive performance, the Colts served notice – not necessarily to the league, but to their fans, and moreover, to themselves.

Truth be told, in the incessantly week-to-week NFL, there are few constants, certainties, or indisputable facts. After the Jax loss, reading media up and down the country, you would have thought the Colts were finished. The reality, in the NFL, is that things are never as bad as they look, or as good as they look. Each team has one frustrating (or more) game per season – and the Colts simply ran into a Jags team that had been waiting, licking their chops to get back at Indy for three seasons. Well, they got theirs. And, predictably, last week, they got theirs again.

And even notwithstanding the loss two weeks ago to the Titans – Tennessee looks pretty good right now, and still, the Colts should have won that game. Tony Dungy uncharacteristically called for a FG on 4th and 1 when the defense was struggling with Vince Young. Had he gone for a touchdown and converted, the Colts would be 12-2. Dungy was back on his game Monday, showing no hesitation in going for a fourth-and-1.

But that’s all hindsight. The reality is, the Colts have the inside track to the No. 2 seed. And are riding their most impressive performance of the season. It’s stark contrast to last season — the Colts were cruising. Now, they could be peaking. You never know.

MFG has harped on the consistency of the Colts, and the necessity for them to overcome adversity. It’s tough to doubt this team in the regular season. They needed a victory, needed a well-executed game, and last night, they converted.

Peyton Manning was brilliant – just as he’ll need to be in the playoffs. Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison were fierce – you know it’s a hugely important game when Harrison is fighting and juking for extra yards. These three are going to have to carry Indianapolis. As good as the Colts are offensively, the running game is sorely lacking without Edge. Both Rhodes and Addai are competent – but neither hits the holes or corners on the stretch plays like Edge did. Therefore, the Colts face a lot more 2nd-and-8s than previously, whereas Edge was usually good for a 2nd-and-6. It’s a huge difference for a timing-based, precision-oriented offense.

The loss of Dallas Clark – even though the announcers typically only bemoan Brandon Stokley’s absence – also hurts. Clark was the fulcrum of the Colts’ attack – a hybrid of the outstanding Jay Novacek-Daryl Johnston types of the old Dallas Cowboys. Without Clark, the Colts’ safety valves are just that – safety valves.

In any case, the offense had struggled, with Manning and Wayne and Harrison asked to do too much even for them. Last night, however, all three were on – ferocious, focused, poised, and, well, nearly perfect. And that focus, precision, patience, and discipline needs to be there for six more weeks. The Colts can’t win only scoring 17 points. They need to constantly move the ball, scoring 24-plus. Last night was their template.

The much-maligned defense, as you know, has been a concern this year – even more so than in years past. A pet peeve of MFG is the NFL and its media’s reliance on total yardage to determine the best defenses – a ridiculous notion. However, the Colts were doing their best to prove the converse — allowing 69 billion yards in the last five weeks or so.

The Colts’ D, when fully functional, is predicated on forcing turnovers, swarming to the ball, and taking away the big play. It bends but doesn’t break – allowing chunks of yardage but not backbreaking touchdowns. And, it typically focuses on taking either the run or pass away – never both. (Side note, this is why quarterbacks who are exceptionally mobile and a threat to run – Tony Romo, Vince Young, David Garrard – give the Colts fits.)

And last night – lo and behold – the Colts defense was alive – executing as it’s designed. Swarming, smacking, wrapping. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis seemed to have more energy, and Anthony McFarland looked a lot better. It’s no secret without Montae Reagor and Corey Simon that the D-line has been a little gassed all season. Last night, the line stayed in their gaps, focused on pressure as opposed to balls-out spin moves or rushing way upfield. The draws and screens, summarily, weren’t a threat. It was never 11-on-nine.

Rob Morris, now in for the totally ineffective Gilbert Gardner, is having his finest season as a pro. He’s no middle linebacker, but as a weakside backer, he’s pretty darn good. Cato June was everywhere — and even wrapped up a few times. And finally – the secondary, down to safeties No. 4 and 5 – played exceptionally well. Indy’s corners, to wit, are two of the most underrated in the league.

The whole unit looked like, well, the Colts. And if they play like this – sticking to their game, executing to their strengths – well, even as the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, the sky is the limit.

No team in the NFL is perfect. And any one of these teams can get the others in the playoffs. Sure, New England, Baltimore, and San Diego run schemes designed to stop the Colts – but should we be worried? After last night, there’s no reason not to be encouraged. Sure, the Colts are imperfect. Sure, they have their flaws — but surely also, they have enough to win it all. Seriously, who is a clear cut above Indianapolis?

San Diego’s passing attack ebbs and flows, and once Martyball rears its head in the playoffs, will LDT be enough?

New England is like a rich man’s Jacksonville – you never know which team will show up. Somehow, they’re way off. Inconsistent wideouts? Age? A terribly-dressed coach? Who knows.

I just haven’t thought Baltimore is good all year. Their defense is almost the same as last season – when the Colts carved them up for 31 unanswered. Their offense is easily stopped, even by Indy. I like this matchup, if it ends up happening.

Denver scares me. I hate playing teams twice. Certainly, they can’t stop the Colts offense, but their running attack is formidable – and it’s within their game plans…

Unlike Cincinnati, who made a point to run on the Colts and became a shell of their high-powered attack. Gotta dance with the one that brought ya.

The Jets. Surely you jest.

Tennessee and Buffalo – Seriously, these teams could make the playoffs. And, honestly, I don’t want to play either. Side note: That Colts win over the Bills in Week 12 is looking better and better, yeah?

Jacksonville – what makes anyone think they’ll win two in a row to close the season out? What a freak-o team. Undisciplined, no identity, just ridiculously inconsistent. And this team is cooked. (But I’d hate to play them again.)

Living near the Kansas City area, there’s no reason to believe the Chiefs could make the playoffs. There is reason to believe that a Herm Edwards offense is the absolute worst kind. Run, run, pass, punt, repeat, even on fourth-and-short in the fourth quarter. Just atrocious.

Why do I feel like the Steelers will make the playoffs? And play us?

The difference is that now I think the Colts are ready. For any of these clubs. We’ve got a few weeks. On to Houston.