Plenty of excuses are available for why the Indianapolis Colts’ offense didn’t perform up to par in Sunday’s 18-14 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Blame it on practice — something key players Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Tony Ugoh mostly did not do last week.

Thank the defense for this one.
Blame it on an unfamiliar opponent. The Colts haven’t seen the 49ers since 2005, and last played them at home in 2001 — when former coach Jim Mora famously questioned the team’s playoff chances.
With the sun poking through the roof and into the eyes of Colts receivers, you can even blame it on Lucas Oil Stadium.
Whatever the reason, the timing was simply off, especially between Manning and Wayne. Passes were overthrown. Receivers zigged when they should have zagged. Usual receptions were dropped. On that note, does anyone else think preseason performer Taj Smith would have been a much better option at fourth receiver than Hank “butterfingers” Baskett? Baskett sure didn’t help his cause Sunday, dropping two catchable passes — one on third down.
It took a trick play to crack the end zone. Joseph Addai’s wobbly halfback pass to Wayne may have provided the game-winning points, but it was the Colts’ defense and special teams who deserve credit for the win.
While the Colts settled for four Matt Stover field goals, the defense never let the 49ers make them pay.
Take away Frank Gore’s 64-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and the Colts shut him down, holding him to just 27 yards the rest of the way. The Indianapolis pass rush harrassed San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith, knocking him down seven times and recording four sacks.
But the Colts’ defense was most impressive when it was on the sideline. That’s because it was finally able to do something that’s haunted it all season — get off the field. San Francisco converted just 2-of-10 third downs, and had its final drive killed by a Freeney sack on 3rd-and-10.
Don’t forget the special teams.
Jamie Silvia undoubtedly made Colts fans cringe each time he caught a punt, but the rest of the unit — including Silva on kick coverage — was fantastic. The 49ers never started a drive further than their own 30. Rookie Pat McAfee averaged 46.3 yards per punt, and is quickly making Colts fans forget about Hunter Smith.
So the Colts are 7-0, the last unbeaten team in the AFC for the fourth time in five years. They have the defense and special teams to thank.
Posted by leibrockk 
Posted by leibrockk 
Posted by leibrockk 





