Give Colts some credit

Give Colts some credit

The New England Patriots have done the impossible. They have gone undefeated during the regular season and now appear destined to win their fourth Lombardi Trophy. And while the Patriots do deserve major kudos for their accomplishment, another AFC team also deserves a pat on the back for overcoming adversity.

You don't hear much about the Indianapolis Colts unless they lose. That is mainly because they are expected to win regardless of the circumstances. After all, since 2002, the Colts have won at least 10 games in every season. Coincindentally, that is when Tony Dungy took over as head coach.

This season has been anything but easy for the Colts. They lost defensive tackle Anthony McFarland before the season even began. Then star wide receiver Marvin Harrison went down in October and hasn't seen action since. Pass rushing stud Dwight Freeney and linebacker Rob Morris both ended up on Injured Reserve by Week Nine. Running back Joseph Addai and tight end Dallas Clark both missed games. And for a while, the offensive line was basically made of patchwork due to all the injuries up front.

But despite their depleting numbers, the Colts kept winning.

Maybe to put it in perspective we should look at the best teams in the NFL.

Tom Brady threw 50 touchdown passes this season for the Pats. Randy Moss hauled in 23 of them. If you take Moss out of the equation for two months, would the Pats still be as dominant offensively? It is hard to imagine any of the New England receivers picking up that much slack even with Wes Wes Welker having a great season. And while the Pats still would probably have an impressive record, it is highly doubtful they would be undefeated or that Brady would have the record for touchdown passes in a single season.

Would the Dallas Cowboys be as successful without the services of Terrell Owens and DeMarcus Ware for two months? The quick answer is that in two of Dallas' three losses, Owens either did not play or was a non-factor.

But somehow the Colts managed to win six straight without their best receiver, their best pass rusher and a number of other injuries.

While the Patriots get attention for their perfection, the Colts maybe should get some attention for ther ability to overcome adversity and win the toughest division in the NFL:

The hunt for the Lombardi Trophy begins this weekend and there are those who feel the real Super Bowl will take place when and if the Patriots meet the Colts.

If that meeting does take place, it will be different from the one earlier this season.

The Colts will be without Freeney but they will likely have Harrison this time around. That will have a big impact on how the game pans out.

But whether they can take the Pats or not, the Colts have still overcome a great deal and accomplished more than most other teams thrust in a similar situation would.

And that ability to overcome may be just the edge they need to pull off what many think is the impossible.

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