Colts Gab

The Chicago Bears on Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts looked like the Bears of old, but with some differences; the combination of an opportunistic defense and a potent running attack that controlled the clock sealed the deal as Chicago handily defeated Indianapolis 29-13 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts had issues with timing – highly unusual for a team that is the master of offensive timing – which could be attributed to perhaps quarterback Peyton Manning getting his game together slowly as he is coming back from knee surgery and is getting the game rust shaken off. What also hurt the Colts was the loss of tight end Dallas Clark to a knee injury in the first half and running back Joseph Addai with a head injury in the fourth quarter. In addition, the Colts allowed the Bears to convert 10-of-16 (62.5%) third-down chances, which kept the defense on the field for entirely too long.

But first and foremost, the Bears defense played a big part in the Bears win; a safety by Chicago when Addai was tackled in the end zone, along with wide receiver Marvin Harrison fumbling a reception while Bears linebacker Lance Briggs scooped up the ball and returning it for a touchdown. The Bears also allowed the Colts only 53 rushing yards. While the Bears passing attack was, for a better choice of words, efficient, it didn’t impress anyone; but then again, it was not really needed on Sunday night.

Kyle Orton went 13-of-21 for 150 yards while Manning was un-Manning-like, going 30-49 for 257 yards with a TD. Matt Forte led a potent Bears rushing attack with 123 yards on 23 carries and a rushing TD while catching 3 passes for 18 yards; Kevin Jones added 45 yards on 13 rushing attempts. Addai led the Colts rushers with only 44 yards on 12 carries. The Bears receivers were led by a pair of tight ends as Desmond Clark led all Bears receivers with 2 receptions for 46 yards while Greg Olson grabbed 2 balls for 36 yards.

Reggie Wayne led all Colts receivers with 10 catches for 86 yards and a TD while Harrison added 76 yards on 8 receptions; Anthony Gonzalez chipped in with 5 catches for 48 yards. Chicago (1-0) looks to run their winning streak to 2 as they travel to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers on September 14 while Indianapolis (0-1) continue the NFC North journey as they fly north to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Vikings – also on September 14.

It appears that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning will get the start during Week 1 when they host the Chicago Bears on September 7, according to the Associated Press and confirmed by team head coach Tony Dungy, with Dungy adding, “I would be shocked if he’s not there (a week from) Sunday. He would have to have a dramatic setback. Right now, every step we’ve taken has been good.”

Manning, who has never missed a start in his entire career, has made significant progress in coming back from having surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee. He was activated from the “physically-unable-to-perform” list on Tuesday then did some light work at practice; with no soreness in the knee as a result, the coaches increased his workload. He suited up for Thursday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but did not play. So again, you can almost bet the house note that Manning will be under center on September 7 against the Bears.

More than a month has passed by and everyone and their brother were speculating as to Peyton Manning’s whereabouts and whether his knee was worse than originally expected.  According to the Associated Press, the Indianapolis Colts activated the quarterback Tuesday and will initially be limited in practice after being taken off the physically unable to perform list.

Colts head coach Tony Dungy said that Manning would be cautious with Manning during this short week as Indianapolis played the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday – before giving him a full allotment of snaps starting next week. To recap, Manning was instructed not to report to training camp with his teammates July 24, 10 days after having surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee. At that time, team officials said that it would take Manning four to six weeks to recover – and the 6-week period came on Monday, the day when the Colts did not practice. But despite that, local media, bloggers and fans alike constantly specualted on Manning’s whereabouts and readiness despite Dungy stating that Manning had arrived at Colts camp on July 29.

Right now, for all intents and purposes, the Colts are down to 2 QB’s – Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen. Which makes the return of Manning all that more important. Manning’s normal backup QB, Jim Sorgi, didn’t dress for last Sunday’s game due to a gimpy knee. But at the same time, Manning being activated doesn’t guarantee that he will start in the season opener against Chicago, either; however, if everything goes to according to plan, expect Manning to be behind center during Week 1.