The Indianapolis Colts continue working hard toward Sunday’s matchup with the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. The Colts have a short week of preparation following Monday night’s win at Jacksonville that pushed them to a perfect 6-and-0. Sunday’s kickoff at Carolina is slated for 1 p.m.
After that big win for the Colts Monday night at Jacksonville, head coach Tony Dungy and crew are preparing for another road test this Sunday as they take on the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. The AFC South-leading Colts are a perfect 6-and-0, while the Panthers are on top of the NFC South with a 4-and-2 mark. Sunday’s kickoff is at 1 p.m.
The defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts looked like title contenders, thumping the Jaguars 29-7 on Monday Night Football in Jacksonville, Florida. Peyton Manning passed for 259 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for a score, as Indianapolis improved to 6-and-0. Joseph Addai added 85 yards on the ground on 16 carries for the Colts, who built a 17-0 lead at the half. Maurice Jones-Drew had the lone Jacksonville score with a one-yard TD run in the third quarter, as the Jags fell to 4-and-2 on the season. The New England Patriots are the only other unbeaten team left in the league this season at 7-and-0.
The Colts will bring their undefeated record to ALLTELL Stadium for a matchup with the 4-and-1 AFC South rival Jaguars. The Colts are coming off their bye week and hope to get two key offensive starters back. Running back Joseph Addai and wide receiver Marvin Harrison are both expected to play after missing Indianapolis’ 33-14 Week Five victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Jaguars have won four straight after dropping their season-opener. Jacksonville beat the Houston Texans 37-17 in Week Six. David Garrard threw two touchdown passes and Maurice Jones-Drew finished with 184 yards from scrimmage in the win. The two teams split the season series last year with both teams winning at home.
While the Colts continue to prepare for Monday night’s matchup vs the Jags, wide out
Marvin Harrison is still questionable with a bruised left knee. “We’ll see how much he can do,” head coach Tony Dungy said of Harrison. The 12-year vet is likely to be a game-time decision for the Colts, who at 5-0 are trying to hold off the Jags for the top spot in the AFC South. Harrison hurt the knee in the first quarter against the Broncos on September 30th. He has seen light work the last two weeks. The team did get some good news, as safety Bob Sanders who has been hampered by chest and rib injuries, worked out with the team on Saturday, and is expected to play in Florida.
The Colts are getting closer to their big game with the Jacksonville Jaquars on Monday Night Football. The Colts look to improve on their 5-and-0 record, while the Jags are a game back in the AFC South at 4-and-1. Kickoff in Jacksonville is set for 8:30 p.m.
The Colts have begun training for their next contest. Tony Dungy and the team are preparing for the Jaquars. At 5-and-0, the Colts are one of just two undefeated teams left in the NFL this season. The New England Patriots are a perfect 6-and-0. Indianapolis had a bye last week. Monday night’s game in Jacksonville kicks off at 8:30 p.m.
It is as plain as the sun up in the sky that the Indianapolis Colts’ offense is something special. It also is becoming a given that the Colts’ defense is improving on an almost weekly basis. But what has become increasingly clear is that the Colts’ offensive line should share some of the credit as well.
The four regulars on the O-line – rookie offensive tackle Tony Ugoh, guards Ryan Lilja and Jake Scott and offensive tackle Ryan Diem – are a major part of why the Colts are so successful thus far this season. Plenty of proof to throw at you:
Let’s not forget the subtle things that make the O-line successful for the Colts:
Despite all of those factoids, Scott states the obvious mentality that the O-line have shared since Week 1, saying, “It really doesn’t matter in the end. Winning is the important thing.” Not to mention that team head coach Tony Dungy sees room for improvement – which is a scary thing if you’re an opponent of the Colts on any given week. But then again, Dungy has always held a higher standard than a lot of NFL head coaches.
Kenton Keith rushed for 121 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns in place of injured starter Joseph Addai as the Colts ran all over the Buccaneers 33-14 at the RCA Dome. Peyton Manning continued his success throwing for 253 yards and two TD’s, completing 29-of-37 passes to help the Colts stay unbeaten and move to 5-and-0 on the season. Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark each caught a touchdown pass for Indy who will have a week to get healthy, with five starters missing this game, heading into their bye. Jeff Garcia threw for 143 yards, completing 18-of-23 passes and two touchdowns, both to tight end Alex Smith. The Bucs had trouble moving the ball and had less than 200 yards of total offense, with only 17 total rushing yards, dropping them to 3-and-2 on the year. Tampa Bay hosts Tennessee next.
The defending Super Bowl champs look to continue their perfect season against the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the RCA Dome. Indy continued their impressive play in Week Four, beating the Broncos 38-20 with help from all-everything quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning completed 20-of-27 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns for the Colts, who have won nine straight games including the playoffs. Tampa Bay has won three straight, including a 20-7 victory over division rival Carolina last week. Jeff Garcia continued his solid play, throwing for 176 yards with no interceptions for the fourth consecutive game. The Bucs did suffer two devastating losses however, with running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams and offensive lineman Luke Petitgout out for the season with knee injuries. Tampa Bay lost 38-35 in overtime the last time they played Indy in 2003.
