We've heard it all before.
The Colts, having appeared in seven of the last eight NFL postseasons, just can't get it done in January. But this year, they've overcome all the obstacles that were previously blocking their way to a championship game, and are in the Super Bowl for the first time since moving to Indianapolis after the 1983 season.
So what's stopping them now?
Of course, the scapegoat for all of Indy's past postseason failures is quarterback Peyton Manning, the Colts' seven-time Pro Bowler, who at age 30 is already ranked seventh all-time in passing touchdowns. Manning and longtime target Marvin Harrison have been viewed as the team's nucleus for nearly a decade, and given the duo's storied history, it makes sense.
But this week is unique, as Manning, Harrison and the rest of the Colts face more media scrutiny now than they've ever seen in their lives, and perhaps now it's time for the truth to come out. Do the Colts really, truly live and die with their vaunted passing offense?
What many sometimes fail to realize is that in his nine postseason appearances prior to this January, Peyton Manning was really not all that bad. Yes, the Colts' first seven attempts at postseason glory in the Manning era were fruitless, but Manning was his same old consistent self.
Before this season, Manning completed 60 percent of his playoff passes for 273 yards per game, with 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In three games this month, his completion rate rose to 63 percent, while he averaged 262 yards, scored twice, and threw six picks.
Statistically, the only major difference is that in this postseason, the man just can't seem to keep the ball away from opposing defensive backs.
And yet, for some reason, 2007 is the first time the Colts have seen a Super Sunday in 36 years. Maybe it's about time the other 52 Colts get the respect they deserve.
Specifically, it's time to sing the praises of the 11 Colts lining up on the defensive side of the ball. The Indy defense has managed to step up its game at the perfect time, and all of a sudden, it's looking just as stingy as the oft-hyped Chicago D.
The Colts' run defense, which was lambasted a month ago as the worst the NFL has seen in years, has managed to absolutely manhandle opposing rushers in January. The Chiefs' Larry Johnson, the Ravens' Jamal Lewis and the Patriots' two-headed monster of Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney have all come up practically empty against the Colts already, and that may spell trouble for the Bears' Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson.
Defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis have been excellent for the Colts so far, while Rob Morris and Cato June have been two of the postseason's best linebackers. But perhaps no defensive player has had a bigger impact this month than free safety Bob Sanders, who at 25 is playing the best football of his young career. No one has more than Sanders' 15 solo tackles in the postseason. And Sanders' fourth-quarter interception of Trent Green's pass was the final nail in the Chiefs' coffin in the Colts' wild-card win.
Offensively, the Colts have welcomed former LSU Tiger Joseph Addai, one of the league's best rookie running backs, whose 4.8 yards per carry this season were more than former Colt Edgerrin James ever recorded. Meanwhile, Harrison has gotten help from teammate Reggie Wayne, who has posted career numbers en route to his first career Pro Bowl appearance.
And then there are special teams. Former Patriot Adam Vinatieri is well known as the most reliable kicker in postseason history, and this year, his first in Indianapolis, is no different. After making 25-of-28 attempts in the regular season, Vinatieri was a perfect 11-for-11 in the Colts' first three playoff games, including two from 50-plus yards. He even scored all 15 of the Colts' points in their 15-6 win over Baltimore in the divisional round.
Put all of these elements together, and it becomes evident that this Indianapolis squad is much more than one Hall of Fame quarterback. The Colts are a true team, and come Sunday night, they'll have a Lombardi Trophy to prove it.
The Bears are the only team left in their way, and until Rex Grossman can consistently post a double-digit passer rating, it's tough for the Colts' D to be worried. Defensively, Chicago may be the NFL's third-best team, but since the top two are Baltimore and New England, the two teams Indy just beat, the Bears' defense doesn't look like a problem either.
Peyton Manning has waited nine years to finally say it, and it appears that this year, it's finally true: the Indianapolis Colts, believe it or not, are champions.
