The Colts

[TerriblePizza]

Looks like they're surging into the playoffs. If they make it to the Superbowl, I definitely wouldn't want to meet Manning. He's been carrying his team so far this year.

I think if they can keep up the momentum, they'll definitely make it deep into the playoffs.

your thoughts?

[MadHatter]

Said it a couple of weeks ago....Colts are the team to beat in the AFC.

Pitt has great defense...but offense is anemic.

Titans and smoke and mirrors

Jets....what a joke

Denver....please, give me a break

Colts will roll through the playoffs.

[Scutty]

Colts look more beatable now than they ever have over the last few seasons. Still a good team but a team dare I say it on the decline

[Boltergeist]

The AFC playoffs is going to be a slugfest. It seemed like in the last few years they've all played and beat each other up. Denver or Miami in the AFC title game would be about the only surprises, although I could see the Dolphins just not realizing where they are and do it anyway.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

The AFC playoffs is going to be a slugfest. It seemed like in the last few years they've all played and beat each other up. Denver or Miami in the AFC title game would be about the only surprises, although I could see the Dolphins just not realizing where they are and do it anyway.

Colts match up pretty well against the Steelers. Steelers are the best rush defense, and the Colts can’t run anyway.

[Skew]

Depends. They are going to be on the road. In bad weather with no running game could make it hard for them to make the dance.

[Miaoww]

Colts look more beatable now than they ever have over the last few seasons. Still a good team but a team dare I say it on the decline

The focal point of the franchise certainly isn't in decline. They've won 11 games this year, which is ridiculous considering their running game and defence. He really is that good and as long as he's there they'll continue to be a contender.

[TerriblePizza]

They've been plagued by injuries too. 11 wins just shows either how weak their schedule is, or how much depth they really have on that team.

[RonnieTheBear]

I disagree 100%.

The Colts, despite their win streak, have only shown flaws the last 8 weeks.

They beat the Pats 18-15 and New England would've tied it with about 4 min. to go if some backup TE hadn't committed a personal foul in field goal range.

They trailed all game to the Steelers and then won 24-20 late in the 4th. That's a good win, but it shows that the Steelers can at least match them come playoff time. And they may get the Steelers in the divisional round.

Then they lost to the Texans, except Sage Rosenfels decided he was a superhero. Turns out, he can't fly.

They snuck by the Chargers on a last minute field goal.

Their ugliest win of the streak, 10-6 over the Browns, only happened because of a late defensive touchdown. So they put up 3 against Cleveland, that's terrible.

They pasted the Bengals.

They went into the 4th tied with Detroit (then took care of business, good for them)

Then they were down 10 and needed a defensive score in the 4th to beat the Jaguars, who suck.

This is not the streak of a juggernaut. Beyond what others have said about the Colts not being a playoffs-style offense/team, this is not a good enough team no matter the weather and style of play.

This is not to take anything away from Manning. The guy's a stud and has been since college and he's single-handedly keeping his team alive. BUT they're still not a very good team. They'd be out in the first round if the totally undeserving AFC west division winner didn't go to the playoffs with a 8-8/9-7 record. No way they move past the divisional round whether they get Pitt or Tennessee.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I disagree 100%.

The Colts, despite their win streak, have only shown flaws the last 8 weeks...

Though I agree, I can't help but think had Carolina won its games in the same way, people would chalk it up to the Cardiac Cats ability to pull out the win, which is the mark of a good team.

[cookinwithgas]

Yeah, I see Indy surging and scratching out the wins - think they can handle the Titans at the moment...Pittsburgh i have no idea about that one ;-)

[RonnieTheBear]

Though I agree, I can't help but think had Carolina won its games in the same way, people would chalk it up to the Cardiac Cats ability to pull out the win, which is the mark of a good team.

In the 7 of last 8 win streak pundits keep talking about with Carolina, the Panthers:

manhandled the Saints.

beat the Cards in a tight game while Arizona was playing well.

led Oakland for 4 quarters, won by 2 scores.

led Detroit for the entire 2nd half, won by 2 scores.

lost to Atlanta.

traded scores with the Packers and then pulled it out in the end.

played the Bucs close and then put them away in the 4th quarter in impressive fashion.

manhandled the Broncos.

The Colts keep coming from behind against weak teams (Chargers, Texans w/ Rosenfels, Browns, Jags, Lions). The Panthers beat 2 division leaders by multiple scores and another by 4, lost to a playoff-caliber team, and took care of business against all but one weak team. Aside from the Packer win (and maybe week 1), they've hardly been the Cardiac Cats this season.

[thefuzz]

They are playing their best football late in the season, and thats all that matters, however they do have quite a few glaring holes.

They have had the ball bounce their way quite a few times this year, and thats the difference in 11 wins and 8.