Sympathy for the Chosen Ones

Sympathy for the Chosen Ones

Does anybody else out there watching the Indianapolis Colts feel like they’re barely hanging on to a miniature miracle? Either that, or their luck is always on the brink of running out. Their loss to the still-undefeated New England Patriots was uninspiring, and if nothing else, showed Colts fans how a winner should look as they – well – as they win.

When they came out at season-opening slugging hard, onlookers only sighed at how pitiful last year’s imagination team, the New Orleans Saints, actually looked to be for their follow-up to the 2006-07 season. Colts hung on to beat what has proven to be a decent Tennessee Titans squad, only to roll over the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I don’t know about anyone else, but I was still less than impressed. A decisive victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars post-bye week was worthy of some attention, and the follow up victory over the Carolina Panthers at least proved that the Colts wouldn’t rest on their laurels after an undefeated start. And then what happened?

Further Trials of the Indianapolis Colts

With losses to last year’s main competition like the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers in back to back weeks, everyone’s touting injuries as the reason for the Colts’ lackluster performance. I’d throw the 13-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in there, too. A win is a win, but that was hardly worth watching.

So – the injuries. Let’s take a look. Bread and butter receiver Marvin Harrison, who leads the team all-time in all receiving categories, will miss yet another game (he’s missed 5 of the last 6 with a knee injury), leaving Peyton Manning’s targets downfield as thin as they’ve seemed lately for Week 12’s match up against the Atlanta Falcons. Can we blame the entire season on Manning’s missing the Colts' eight-time Pro Bowl receiver? Maybe.

Do the Colts Have Any Non-Injured Players? 

Who else? The injury report that came out Wednesday includes the following notables: Ryan Diem (tackle), Dan Federkeil (offensive tackle), Matt Giordano (safety) and Tim Jennings (cornerback). To further the extent of the damage, Tyjuan Hagler (linebacker) has only been capable of limited practice time. Offensive tackle Tony Ugoh has been listed as a big question mark for the Falcons game, as well.

Add to this list defensive end Dwight Freeney, out with a foot injury, wide receiver Roy Hall out with a shoulder injury, defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, wide receiver Aaron Moorehead, linebacker Rob Morris, tight end Mike Seidman, defensive back Antonio Smith and linebacker Victor Worsley, and those looking to the Colts injury ranks may have a point.
    
Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez has been noted as having a thumb injury, though he practiced Tuesday and Wednesday, and might be getting rushed back into duty as a result of lingering injury troubles down the Colts roster. Only the game Thursday night will tell for sure.

Colts Prospects of Playoff Victories Seem Dim 

With key matchups against both Jacksonville, looking to make a possible playoff run, and Tennessee, also on the heels of the Colts – the prospects of the Colts finishing the season strong, only to face serious trouble again from the New England Patriots (after their still perfect season?), only spells trouble for Colts fans. Who knows, though – Super Bowl Champions have something special, don’t they? Not so much for their competition, apparently. Just ask the Chicago Bears.