Are the Colts as Impressive... (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

I'm watching this game tonight (Indy vs. Jacksonville) and I am truly in awe. J-ville is a very, very good team, at home, and Indy is taking them apart. I know Gerard went down early, but I don't think that really matters. The Colts are a GREAT team right now.

New England has been awesome all year (unfortunately for me because I hate them) and I even wrote in an earlier post about their chances for football immortality. Well, call me wishy washy if you want, but now I am beginning to wonder, are the Colts as good as New England? Or even better?

The only football comparison I can think of is the rivalry that took place between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49'ers of the early 90's. For a period of 2-3 years, you knew those two teams would battle it out in the championship game, with the winner going on to win the Superbowl. New England and Indy look to be the same situation. I would like to hope that my Steelers were in the conversation, but I know that they're not. Everybody knows it's going to come down to these two teams.

And at this point, I have no idea who's better...

 

[gman8343]

Pats haven't been challanged yet but they look much better IMO. They're breaking records left and right. It's like Tecmo-Bowl out there when they're on the field.

 

[Kevin Ashcraft]

Why dont we just wait until 11/4?

The over-analysis is excruciating

 

[eom]

no

 

[MCguidance]

i was thinking of this myself...just cant go against the colts yet...defending champs and still undefeated

 

[Sopranos]

 

[notapplicable]

Why dont we just wait until 11/4?The over-analysis is excruciating

Very much so. This is sickening.

 

[notapplicable]

Why dont we just wait until 11/4?The over-analysis is excruciating

Very much so. This is sickening.

 

[timschochet]

Why dont we just wait until 11/4?The over-analysis is excruciating

That game will tell us something, but not everything, even if it's a blowout one way or the other.Using my comparison of the Cowboys and 49ers, I recall that those teams also always seemed to play each other in the regular season, and the winner wasn't always the ultimate winner in the playoffs, even if the win secured home field advantage.

 

[Borat]

The fact of the matter is that the Colts are the undeated defending champions. I think they're being slept on a bit because of New England's hot start, but until someone beats them, they shouldn't be discounted.

 

[timschochet]

I also think that the Colts need to win that game on Nov 11 more than the Pats do. The reason is simple: The Pats can win in INdy in Janaury, but I'm not sure the Colts can win in New England in January. Therefore, the Colts have more to lose.

 

[phthalatemagic]

Patriots played who so far?

 

[Chase Stuart]

I'm watching this game tonight (Indy vs. Jacksonville) and I am truly in awe. J-ville is a very, very good team, at home, and Indy is taking them apart. I know Gerard went down early, but I don't think that really matters. The Colts are a GREAT team right now.

I'm not sure why you think it doesn't matter. Garrard hasn't thrown an INT all year, while Gray has thrown two bad ones and is looking every bit the part of the 3rd string QB he is. He was safetied, and didn't throw a single pass on the Jaguars only scoring drive. Indianapolis could have gotten an impressive win today, but the loss of Garrard prevents that. To date, the only good team Indianapolis beat was the Titans, and they didn't put them away.

 

[Blueb]

Does anyone else think its ironic that the Pats are the media favorite due to putting up eye popping offensive stats while the Colts are just winning games with balanced and effective all-around play? Didnt it always used to be Manning who carved up the league and got all the glory while Brady and the Pats just went out and won games?

In prior years this worked in favor of the team going under the radar. Here's hoping it happens again this year...

 

[timschochet]

I'm watching this game tonight (Indy vs. Jacksonville) and I am truly in awe. J-ville is a very, very good team, at home, and Indy is taking them apart. I know Gerard went down early, but I don't think that really matters. The Colts are a GREAT team right now.

I'm not sure why you think it doesn't matter. Garrard hasn't thrown an INT all year, while Gray has thrown two bad ones and is looking every bit the part of the 3rd string QB he is. He was safetied, and didn't throw a single pass on the Jaguars only scoring drive. Indianapolis could have gotten an impressive win today, but the loss of Garrard prevents that. To date, the only good team Indianapolis beat was the Titans, and they didn't put them away.

1. If you watched this game in the 1st half before Garard got hurt, you'll realize it was already shaping up to be a Colts domination. Gray didn't help matters, but it's pretty clear who's a better team. Jacksonville is a physical defense, and the Colts were highly effective against them. It IS an impressive win.2. I think the Colts have looked very good this year. I'm not sure what your idea is of a "good" team. When the Colts played NO, I thought the Saints were a "good" team. When NE played the Chargers, I thought SD was a "good" team. Both NO and SD will probably be "good" again before the year is out. I thought the win against TB was impressive; many people were touting the Bucs before that game. I don't see why you would choose to discount these things.

 

[weasel3515]

Look at who the two teams have faced and Indy has obviously played tougher teams, and especially tougher defenses. The Jets, Buffalo, Miami? Please. But give the Pats their credit as I'm not even sure the Colts could cover all of their receivers (although they might be used to it by covering their own in practice). Indy's running game and kicker are much better which could be huge assets for a home-field game but Indy's division is much tougher (plus they still have to play at a revitalized San Diego) whereas outside the game at Indy, New England's toughest game is at home against Pittsburgh. I think the Pats will get home field advantage even if the Colts win on Nov. 4th and that could be the difference as a dome team playing up north in January is not a recipe for success. As an Indy fan, the only thing I can hope for if that comes true is then it is a terrible snow storm as the Colts are the superior running team with a better kicker.

 

[switz]

The Colts don't look as impressive as the Pats, but IMO that's because the Pats have had a cakewalk schedule so far.

 

[eom]

Patriots played who so far?

dallas and san diego?and humiliated both of them?

 

[switz]

Patriots played who so far?

dallas and san diego?and humiliated both of them?

San Diego was in shambles at the time the Pats played them. They were NOT a good team at that time.Dallas actually played NE very well for most of the game. NE went up big toward the end, but I wouldn't call it humiliation. And consider, this was the same Cowboys the Bills nearly beat the week before. Dallas wouldn't even be a top-10 team in the AFC.

 

[spitkickers]

Patriots played who so far?

dallas and san diego?and humiliated both of them?

The NE over Dallas win was impressive. As was Indy's win (1st half counts) vs Jax. 17-0 at the half against that defense is solid and Indy is traditionally a 2nd half team.The NE win over SD not as sure about, SD was humiliating themselves at that point in the season.

 

[eom]

damn --- I guess buffalo must be pretty good, then.

add them to the list.

 

[The Jerk]

I'm watching this game tonight (Indy vs. Jacksonville) and I am truly in awe. J-ville is a very, very good team, at home, and Indy is taking them apart. I know Gerard went down early, but I don't think that really matters. The Colts are a GREAT team right now.

I'm not sure why you think it doesn't matter. Garrard hasn't thrown an INT all year, while Gray has thrown two bad ones and is looking every bit the part of the 3rd string QB he is. He was safetied, and didn't throw a single pass on the Jaguars only scoring drive. Indianapolis could have gotten an impressive win today, but the loss of Garrard prevents that. To date, the only good team Indianapolis beat was the Titans, and they didn't put them away.

Interesting to note that you consider the caliber of the Colts opponents. Maybe that will extend to the Patriots someday soon. Nice compartmentalization.The combined record of the Colts opponents is 20-18, meaning 20-12 if the games against the Colts are eliminated. Three of their opponents have winning records, one is at .500. Every opponent has at least three wins except for New Orleans.The combined record of the Patriots opponents is 17-28, meaning 17-24 if the games against the Patriots are eliminated. One of the Patriots opponents have a winning record, two is at .500. Every opponent has at most three wins except for Dallas.The Patriots average margin of victory is 22.7 ppg, while the Colts average margin of victory is 16.3 ppg. Do you think maybe those margins would be closer to each other if you swapped out the Jets, Bills and Dolphins with the Titans, Jaguars and Texans? I'm not sure why people are not allowed to respect the Colts and appreciate what they are doing when their undefeated stretch is now at 11 games dating back to last season. Respecting the Colts is not equivalent to disrespecting the Patriots, or even suggesting that the Colts will win in Week 9 or the playoffs. It's just about acknowledging their accomplishments in their own right.

 

[eom]

I think it's pretty hilarious that when the pats beat 14-2 superbowl fav sd last year, some people just couldn't give them credit for it, claiming sd was still the better team.

now, the same sd team gets it's revenge match and the pats again don't get credit for blowing them out because sd is supposedly so bad.

this has got to be some of the most f'ing ######ed posting on this board.

could I plz get a list of which teams are actually any good in the nfl outside the pats and colts?

 

[Pat Patriot]

I'm not sure why everyong thinks there is such a discrepancy in schedule between NE and Indy.

The AFC South is obviously a much tougher division than the AFC East.

NE plays the AFC North this year with games against Pittsburgh (thought to be a top AFC team by some), Baltimore (originally thought to be a top team, maybe not so much), Cincinnati (HUGE disapointment) and an improved and dangerous Cleveland team.

INDY plays the AFC West this year. SD should be a test. Denver looks much worse than originally thought. Oakland is improved but not a playoff contender. KC is showing some spunk with their D.

NE plays the NFC EAST with Dallas, Washington, Giants and Eagles. That is the best a weak NFC has to offer.

INDY plays the NFC South with a putrid Atlanta team, a very beatable TB team, terrible looking NO team (originally thought to be a top team) and a Carolina team without a QB.

Both NE and INDY play the other division winners in the AFC which include Baltimore and SD.

Colts have 4-5 tough division games. The Pats have 1 tough division game (Buffalo looks tough at home, although Jets were thought to be tough at the beginning of the year).

Colts have 1 tough NFC games.

NE has 3 tough NFC games.

Colts have 4 tough non-division AFC games.

NE has 4 tough non-division AFC games.

INDY has a total of 9 tough games.

NE has 8 tough games.

I know this is subjective but it looks pretty close to me.

 

[weasel3515]

Patriots played who so far?

dallas and san diego?and humiliated both of them?

It's widely acknowledged as a fact now that San Diego at that time wasn't even playing like a top-10 team. The Dallas score was closer until late, especially the late TD that was uncalled for (like the one the Pats scored against Cincinnati a couple of weeks earlier). This all shows that the Pats have no class but that is beside the point. Don't take the scores too seriously as the competition and final results are not true indications of the level of competition provided by opponents.

 

[The Jerk]

I'm not sure why everyong thinks there is such a discrepancy in schedule between NE and Indy.

By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced. See my above post.

 

[bentley]

It's strange that I'm going to find myself pulling for the "underdog" Colts in mid-November.

 

[Pat Patriot]

Patriots played who so far?

dallas and san diego?and humiliated both of them?

San Diego was in shambles at the time the Pats played them. They were NOT a good team at that time.Dallas actually played NE very well for most of the game. NE went up big toward the end, but I wouldn't call it humiliation. And consider, this was the same Cowboys the Bills nearly beat the week before. Dallas wouldn't even be a top-10 team in the AFC.

Really? The Chargers were 1-0 and coming off a 14-3 win over the NFC SB participant of last year, Chicago. At the time the Pats played them, the Chargers were getting a lot of pub about their ferocious defense. The Pats HUMILIATED SD. SD only appeared to be in shambles, AFTER the Pats whooped their ###. It wasnt until SD proceeded to lose to GB and KC in subsequent weeks that SD was considered a crappy team.

 

[eom]

It's widely acknowledged as a fact now that San Diego at that time wasn't even playing like a top-10 team. The Dallas score was closer until late, especially the late TD that was uncalled for (like the one the Pats scored against Cincinnati a couple of weeks earlier). This all shows that the Pats have no class but that is beside the point. Don't take the scores too seriously as the competition and final results are not true indications of the level of competition provided by opponents.

like the one indy piled on against the hapless jags just now?omg classless indy was running it up!!!!mommy!!!!!!edit psI'm pretty sure I remember going into the pats/sd game that sd wasn't widely acknowledged as crap.at least until the pats blew them out, then I guess they must have experienced a brief period of being a really crapass team.lucky the pats ran into them that week.

 

[OddibeMcD]

I think it's pretty hilarious that when the pats beat 14-2 superbowl fav sd last year, some people just couldn't give them credit for it, claiming sd was still the better team.now, the same sd team gets it's revenge match and the pats again don't get credit for blowing them out because sd is supposedly so bad.this has got to be some of the most f'ing ######ed posting on this board.could I plz get a list of which teams are actually any good in the nfl outside the pats and colts?

The Toronto Argonauts and the London Silly Nannies are both powerhouses this year.

 

[Capella]

Dallas wouldn't even be a top-10 team in the AFC.

 

[Pat Patriot]

I'm not sure why everyong thinks there is such a discrepancy in schedule between NE and Indy.

By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced. See my above post.

Pats have played SD and Dallas. Indy has played Tennessee and JAX. Where is the big discrepancy currently?If either team goes undefeated, they'll have proved it on the field as they both have difficult schedules. The Pats just have a cake division schedule currently.

 

[bentley]

I'm not sure why everyong thinks there is such a discrepancy in schedule between NE and Indy.

By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced. See my above post.

Pats have played SD and Dallas. Indy has played Tennessee and JAX. Where is the big discrepancy currently?If either team goes undefeated, they'll have proved it on the field as they both have difficult schedules. The Pats just have a cake division schedule currently.

Since apparently you can't find the up arrow.

The combined record of the Colts opponents is 20-18, meaning 20-12 if the games against the Colts are eliminated. Three of their opponents have winning records, one is at .500. Every opponent has at least three wins except for New Orleans.The combined record of the Patriots opponents is 17-28, meaning 17-24 if the games against the Patriots are eliminated. One of the Patriots opponents have a winning record, two is at .500. Every opponent has at most three wins except for Dallas.

 

[The Jerk]

I'm not sure why everyong thinks there is such a discrepancy in schedule between NE and Indy.

By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced. See my above post.

Pats have played SD and Dallas. Indy has played Tennessee and JAX. Where is the big discrepancy currently?If either team goes undefeated, they'll have proved it on the field as they both have difficult schedules. The Pats just have a cake division schedule currently.

Since apparently you can't find the up arrow.

The combined record of the Colts opponents is 20-18, meaning 20-12 if the games against the Colts are eliminated. Three of their opponents have winning records, one is at .500. Every opponent has at least three wins except for New Orleans.The combined record of the Patriots opponents is 17-28, meaning 17-24 if the games against the Patriots are eliminated. One of the Patriots opponents have a winning record, two is at .500. Every opponent has at most three wins except for Dallas.

Thanks bentley.

 

[Pat Patriot]

Patriots played who so far?

dallas and san diego?and humiliated both of them?

It's widely acknowledged as a fact now that San Diego at that time wasn't even playing like a top-10 team. The Dallas score was closer until late, especially the late TD that was uncalled for (like the one the Pats scored against Cincinnati a couple of weeks earlier). This all shows that the Pats have no class but that is beside the point. Don't take the scores too seriously as the competition and final results are not true indications of the level of competition provided by opponents.

WOW. I hope this post is only this bad because it is late. Some real silly stuff here.

 

[Pat Patriot]

I'm not sure why everyong thinks there is such a discrepancy in schedule between NE and Indy.

By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced. See my above post.

Pats have played SD and Dallas. Indy has played Tennessee and JAX. Where is the big discrepancy currently?If either team goes undefeated, they'll have proved it on the field as they both have difficult schedules. The Pats just have a cake division schedule currently.

Since apparently you can't find the up arrow.

The combined record of the Colts opponents is 20-18, meaning 20-12 if the games against the Colts are eliminated. Three of their opponents have winning records, one is at .500. Every opponent has at least three wins except for New Orleans.The combined record of the Patriots opponents is 17-28, meaning 17-24 if the games against the Patriots are eliminated. One of the Patriots opponents have a winning record, two is at .500. Every opponent has at most three wins except for Dallas.

IMO, Dallas is the best team that either team has faced. And SD is probably the 2nd best team that either has faced regardless of the records.The point is that SOS is meaningless at this stage because it all works out in the end.

 

[bentley]

I'm not sure why everyong thinks there is such a discrepancy in schedule between NE and Indy.

By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced. See my above post.

Pats have played SD and Dallas. Indy has played Tennessee and JAX. Where is the big discrepancy currently?If either team goes undefeated, they'll have proved it on the field as they both have difficult schedules. The Pats just have a cake division schedule currently.

Since apparently you can't find the up arrow.

The combined record of the Colts opponents is 20-18, meaning 20-12 if the games against the Colts are eliminated. Three of their opponents have winning records, one is at .500. Every opponent has at least three wins except for New Orleans.The combined record of the Patriots opponents is 17-28, meaning 17-24 if the games against the Patriots are eliminated. One of the Patriots opponents have a winning record, two is at .500. Every opponent has at most three wins except for Dallas.

IMO, Dallas is the best team that either team has faced. And SD is probably the 2nd best team that either has faced regardless of the records.The point is that SOS is meaningless at this stage because it all works out in the end.

I would imagine that's why The Jerk said "By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced."

 

[pizzatyme]

It's widely acknowledged as a fact now that San Diego at that time wasn't even playing like a top-10 team. The Dallas score was closer until late, especially the late TD that was uncalled for (like the one the Pats scored against Cincinnati a couple of weeks earlier). This all shows that the Pats have no class but that is beside the point. Don't take the scores too seriously as the competition and final results are not true indications of the level of competition provided by opponents.

like the one indy piled on against the hapless jags just now?omg classless indy was running it up!!!!mommy!!!!!!edit psI'm pretty sure I remember going into the pats/sd game that sd wasn't widely acknowledged as crap.at least until the pats blew them out, then I guess they must have experienced a brief period of being a really crapass team.lucky the pats ran into them that week.

EOM, congrats, you have quickly become the most annoying poster in the SP in my humble opinion.

 

[Pat Patriot]

I'm not sure why everyong thinks there is such a discrepancy in schedule between NE and Indy.

By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced. See my above post.

Pats have played SD and Dallas. Indy has played Tennessee and JAX. Where is the big discrepancy currently?If either team goes undefeated, they'll have proved it on the field as they both have difficult schedules. The Pats just have a cake division schedule currently.

Since apparently you can't find the up arrow.

The combined record of the Colts opponents is 20-18, meaning 20-12 if the games against the Colts are eliminated. Three of their opponents have winning records, one is at .500. Every opponent has at least three wins except for New Orleans.The combined record of the Patriots opponents is 17-28, meaning 17-24 if the games against the Patriots are eliminated. One of the Patriots opponents have a winning record, two is at .500. Every opponent has at most three wins except for Dallas.

IMO, Dallas is the best team that either team has faced. And SD is probably the 2nd best team that either has faced regardless of the records.The point is that SOS is meaningless at this stage because it all works out in the end.

I would imagine that's why The Jerk said "By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced."

I didnt necessarily disagree with him. I just looked at the 2 schedules and didnt see the great disparity that the Records tell you is there. Is a 4-2 TB team in the weak NFC a tougher opponent than the 3-3 Chargers? According to the records they are. Jets and Bengals were considered playoff contenders. The fact that they are 1-6 and 2-4 alters the landscape a bit.

 

[The Jerk]

I'm not sure why everyong thinks there is such a discrepancy in schedule between NE and Indy.

By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced. See my above post.

Pats have played SD and Dallas. Indy has played Tennessee and JAX. Where is the big discrepancy currently?If either team goes undefeated, they'll have proved it on the field as they both have difficult schedules. The Pats just have a cake division schedule currently.

Since apparently you can't find the up arrow.

The combined record of the Colts opponents is 20-18, meaning 20-12 if the games against the Colts are eliminated. Three of their opponents have winning records, one is at .500. Every opponent has at least three wins except for New Orleans.The combined record of the Patriots opponents is 17-28, meaning 17-24 if the games against the Patriots are eliminated. One of the Patriots opponents have a winning record, two is at .500. Every opponent has at most three wins except for Dallas.

IMO, Dallas is the best team that either team has faced. And SD is probably the 2nd best team that either has faced regardless of the records.The point is that SOS is meaningless at this stage because it all works out in the end.

I would imagine that's why The Jerk said "By the end of the season, the schedule discrepancy will even out some. Through week 7, it is quite unbalanced."

Patriot fans have a great team to root for and talk smack about, but it's a good thing Belichick doesn't need to use them for reading comprehension assignments.

 

[pizzatyme]

Nothing here matters until the playoffs. With that said, the Pats did beat the Chargers and Cowboys. Both are top 10 teams at the least.

The Colts have won methodically. Honestly, to this point, I'd give the offensive edge to the Pats and the Defensive edge to the Colts.

Before everyone goes bashing me for that, the Pats haven't had to play stiff defense yet. And, the Colts haven't had to score big numbers to win yet.

Both teams have good tests before the 4th. I'll be there and hope for a great game!

 

[The Jerk]

Jets and Bengals were considered playoff contenders. The fact that they are 1-6 and 2-4 alters the landscape a bit.

I know Chase will get all excited again, as he did when I suggested last year that the Jets were a mirage as a playoff team, but I think 2007 is helping to prove my thoughts on that weren't completely unfounded, with most of the team's key players still intact and healthy. The Bengals collapsed down the stretch last season and had lost 7 of 8 prior to the Jets game this Sunday.There is no need for the Patriots or their fans to apologize for the schedule that the league has given them. However, it probably is a good idea to acknowledge the facts as they are.The "other 3" teams in the AFC South are 8-2 in games outside the division. The "other 3" teams in the AFC East are 1-12 in games outside the division. Rationalize it how you will, but those are the facts.

 

[pizzatyme]

Jets and Bengals were considered playoff contenders. The fact that they are 1-6 and 2-4 alters the landscape a bit.

I know Chase will get all excited again, as he did when I suggested last year that the Jets were a mirage as a playoff team, but I think 2007 is helping to prove my thoughts on that weren't completely unfounded, with most of the team's key players still intact and healthy. The Bengals collapsed down the stretch last season and had lost 7 of 8 prior to the Jets game this Sunday.There is no need for the Patriots or their fans to apologize for the schedule that the league has given them. However, it probably is a good idea to acknowledge the facts as they are.The "other 3" teams in the AFC South are 8-2 in games outside the division. The "other 3" teams in the AFC East are 1-12 in games outside the division. Rationalize it how you will, but those are the facts.

Nice stat there!

 

[Phlash]

The Colts have had the tougher schedule, but the Patriots are averaging 39 points a game against professional football players. Sure, their division is the worst in the NFL, but they still have to execute to be averaging 39 points a game. Thats a lotta scoring no matter how you cut it.

 

[dickey moe]

Dallas wouldn't even be a top-10 team in the AFC.

The Cowboys hate is strong with this one.

 

[pizzatyme]

The Colts have had the tougher schedule, but the Patriots are averaging 39 points a game against professional football players. Sure, their division is the worst in the NFL, but they still have to execute to be averaging 39 points a game. Thats a lotta scoring no matter how you cut it.

Absolutely! The irony in these 2 teams changing roles from 3 years ago, isn't it?! Pats a scoring machine. Colts winning quietly and effectively.

 

[The Jerk]

The Colts have had the tougher schedule, but the Patriots are averaging 39 points a game against professional football players. Sure, their division is the worst in the NFL, but they still have to execute to be averaging 39 points a game. Thats a lotta scoring no matter how you cut it.

It's possible that the Patriots are the greatest team in sports history. It is even more likely that their division mates comprise the worst trio of teams in the same division in the past 20 years. Those two situations are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Chase Stuart]

I'm watching this game tonight (Indy vs. Jacksonville) and I am truly in awe. J-ville is a very, very good team, at home, and Indy is taking them apart. I know Gerard went down early, but I don't think that really matters. The Colts are a GREAT team right now.

I'm not sure why you think it doesn't matter. Garrard hasn't thrown an INT all year, while Gray has thrown two bad ones and is looking every bit the part of the 3rd string QB he is. He was safetied, and didn't throw a single pass on the Jaguars only scoring drive. Indianapolis could have gotten an impressive win today, but the loss of Garrard prevents that. To date, the only good team Indianapolis beat was the Titans, and they didn't put them away.

1. If you watched this game in the 1st half before Garard got hurt, you'll realize it was already shaping up to be a Colts domination. Gray didn't help matters, but it's pretty clear who's a better team. Jacksonville is a physical defense, and the Colts were highly effective against them. It IS an impressive win.2. I think the Colts have looked very good this year. I'm not sure what your idea is of a "good" team. When the Colts played NO, I thought the Saints were a "good" team. When NE played the Chargers, I thought SD was a "good" team. Both NO and SD will probably be "good" again before the year is out. I thought the win against TB was impressive; many people were touting the Bucs before that game. I don't see why you would choose to discount these things.

1. The score was 7-0 Indianapolis, and Garrard had just completed two passes on the drive to put the Jaguars inside the Colts 40. This wasn't in any way shaping up to be a Colts domination. Quinn Gray was 9/24 for 56 yards and three turnovers. He was awful. I'm not taking credit away from Indianapolis from winning the game, because the Jaguars lack of depth at the position is their own fault. But this was hardly an impressive win, IMO. Garrard has been playing lights out, and Gray played miserably.2. New Orleans has been terrible. Tampa Bay isn't very good. Neither are top ten teams in the league. Meanwhile, San Diego and Dallas are just as good if not better than the one good team the Colts beat. I like the Colts, but they've played less top teams than the Pats this year. On the other hand, New England has certainly faced more bottom feeders -- i.e., the Jets, Bills and Dolphins.

 

[The Jerk]

San Diego and Dallas are just as good if not better than the one good team the Colts beat.

There's no real comparison possible with Dallas. However, in between a victory on the road over the Chargers, the Chiefs were decisively beaten by both the Texans and the Jaguars. Applying the transitive property is somewhat dubious in football, but I'd say the Texans and Jaguars are at the very least not much worse than the Chargers. If you prefer, you can qualify it as when compared to the September 2007 Chargers.

 

[Chase Stuart]

I'm watching this game tonight (Indy vs. Jacksonville) and I am truly in awe. J-ville is a very, very good team, at home, and Indy is taking them apart. I know Gerard went down early, but I don't think that really matters. The Colts are a GREAT team right now.

I'm not sure why you think it doesn't matter. Garrard hasn't thrown an INT all year, while Gray has thrown two bad ones and is looking every bit the part of the 3rd string QB he is. He was safetied, and didn't throw a single pass on the Jaguars only scoring drive. Indianapolis could have gotten an impressive win today, but the loss of Garrard prevents that. To date, the only good team Indianapolis beat was the Titans, and they didn't put them away.

Interesting to note that you consider the caliber of the Colts opponents. Maybe that will extend to the Patriots someday soon. Nice compartmentalization.The combined record of the Colts opponents is 20-18, meaning 20-12 if the games against the Colts are eliminated. Three of their opponents have winning records, one is at .500. Every opponent has at least three wins except for New Orleans.

The combined record of the Patriots opponents is 17-28, meaning 17-24 if the games against the Patriots are eliminated. One of the Patriots opponents have a winning record, two is at .500. Every opponent has at most three wins except for Dallas.

The Patriots average margin of victory is 22.7 ppg, while the Colts average margin of victory is 16.3 ppg. Do you think maybe those margins would be closer to each other if you swapped out the Jets, Bills and Dolphins with the Titans, Jaguars and Texans? I'm not sure why people are not allowed to respect the Colts and appreciate what they are doing when their undefeated stretch is now at 11 games dating back to last season. Respecting the Colts is not equivalent to disrespecting the Patriots, or even suggesting that the Colts will win in Week 9 or the playoffs. It's just about acknowledging their accomplishments in their own right.

Here's how Sagarin (using pure predictor) ranks each team's opponents:
3 - DAL - NE 5 - TEN - IND 6 - SD - NE 7 - JAX - IND11 - TB - IND18 - DEN - IND19 - HOU - IND21 - CLE - NE22 - CIN - NE23 - NO - IND24 - BUF - NE29 - NYJ - NE30 - MIA - NENew England has faced the easier schedule, to be sure. They've faced five of the worst seven teams. HOWEVER, they've also faced two of the best three, and arguably the very best two. It's therefore not a non sequitor to state that Indy has had the harder schedule but has less impressive wins. The Pats beat two very good teams. Indianapolis beat one.Further, the schedule stuff is somewhat deceiving. Yeah, Tampa Bay is 4-3...but went 1-2 since Cadillac got injured, which is when Indy played them. Sure, Denver's 3-3...but the Colts saw them without Javon Walker, and they're 1-3 without him. That win over Houston? The Texans are 1-4 without Andre Johnson, and that was a last second win over Miami. So no, the Colts didn't beat "pretty good teams" when beating Tampa Bay, Denver and Houston. They were all without their star offensive players, and they've all performed poorly without them in non-Colts games.

It goes the other way too -- the Pats got an injury depleted Bengals team. But for the most part, the Colts have benefited from this more than the Pats. The most obvious example is beating Jacksonville without Garrard.