WILL THE REAL INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PLEASE STEP UP
The good news is that last week I predicted the Chargers would go to Indianapolis and show the Colts a little more respect than the Jaguars showed last week and the San Diego Chargers certainly delivered. The bad news is I also predicted The Chargers would not stand a chance against The Colts…..I think that was a misprint!
At the beginning of the game there was a very comfortable, familiar scene at the RCA Dome. Everything seemed to be in order. The Players looked like the Indianapolis Colts and after all, the game was being played at the RCA dome. However, after watching the quick lead gained by the Chargers in the first half, things were not going according to the Colts' Plan. In fact, I even began to wonder, “Who are these guys and what have they done with the REAL Indianapolis Colts?”
For die-hard Indianapolis fans, a Chargers lead to the tune of 13-0 going into half time was a tough reality to accept. Peyton Manning was no threat to San Diego 's defense and throughout the game; they proved that over and over again.
The reason this was such a disappointing game to watch goes deeper than a Colts defeat to a team whose 8-5 record wasn't all that impressive. It was sad this game didn't mean as much to the Colts as it did to the Chargers. The Colts stood a very good chance to join the ranks of the only team to complete their season undefeated, The 1972 Dolphins.
To add insult to injury, the Colts were “out-played” (both on offense and defense), out-coached and overall outwitted by the Chargers. In other words, they wanted it more and they earned their just reward! The win will keep San Diego in the running for an AFC wild-card spot.
Overall, many football fans learned a valuable lesson in this game (myself included) which is: just because you may have the best football team in the league, you can still suffer a “bad beat.” This was certainly a bad beat for Indianapolis to watch their favorite son suffer through four sacks and two interceptions.
In the end the Chargers victory by nine points certainly will not hurt the Colts…..they're still headed to The Game of Champions. Colts fans just need to pray they play like the true competitors they are and leave whoever these guys were that played the Chargers at home. Will the REAL INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PLEASE STEP UP? There are some NFL fans counting on you to finish what you started when they see you in Detroit in 2006!
