INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning warned this day was coming. Though few cared to listen.
As the Indianapolis Colts’ early-season hot streak continued, each win seemingly more clinical and efficient than the last, Manning remained a voice of reason.
Tougher days lie ahead, he cautioned. Even a team this talented can’t remain this dominant for long.
The San Francisco 49ers lived up to Manning’s words Sunday, forcing the Colts to the wire in an 18-14 victory. And Manning again said even stronger battles lie ahead.
“Certainly, it’s been a good start,” he said. “Coach (Jim) Caldwell knows we’re heading into the teeth of our schedule. That started today. We’re playing well, and we’re working hard. We’re going to continue to work hard and follow (Caldwell’s) lead.”
Caldwell became the first Colts head coach to win his first seven career games and the first to do it in the NFL since 1920. But the next five won’t get any easier.
Indianapolis hosts red-hot Houston next week before a big Sunday Night Football date with New England at Lucas Oil Stadium. A trip to Baltimore — which handed Denver its first loss of the season Sunday — follows before a rematch with the Texans in Houston.
The stretch closes at home against a struggling Tennessee team with nothing to lose and plenty of Colts’ hopes to spoil.
One big factor in Indianapolis’ favor is the play of its resurgent defense that forced two turnovers and held onto a four-point fourth-quarter lead Sunday.
“Our defense rose to the occasion when we needed it most,” Caldwell said. “We needed a couple of big stops (in the fourth quarter) to knock them out of field-goal range. That was huge. We were pleased with their effort. We may not have been perfect, but we found a way to win.”
Colts
Colts' road tougher ahead
Even a team this talented can't remain dominant for long
- Colts
-
-
Report: Peyton Manning cleared to resume playing
According to ESPN, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has been medically cleared to play next season. The report stated that Manning was cleared by two doctors, including Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed the most recent surgery on the quarterback's neck.
-
Irsay: Mathis, Garcon are priorities
Expect defensive end Robert Mathis and wide receiver Pierre Garcon to be priorities for the Indianapolis Colts during free agency. According to Colts owner Jim Irsay, Mathis and Garcon are both unrestricted free agents and appear to be the cornerstones for the team moving forward. Veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne, meanwhile, may be suiting up for another team in 2012.
-
Manning: I have no plans to retire
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning made one thing clear Tuesday. He has no plans to retire any time soon.
-
Ravens hire Caldwell as coach
Jim Caldwell is back in the NFL, this time as the Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach. The 57-year-old Caldwell was hired on Monday by the Ravens. The appointment comes less than two weeks after Caldwell was fired as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts following a 2-14 season.
-
Anderson native instrumental in Colts' move to Indy
When Hoosiers look at those responsible for bringing Super Bowl XLVI to Indianapolis, they might well consider Paul R. Oakes.
-
Reports: Arians set to join Colts
Multiple media reports, including one by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, indicated Saturday that former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians will accept the same post with the Indianapolis Colts.
-
Irsay, Manning make nice in letter
Peyton Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay insist they are just fine after a week filled with complaints and comments suggesting a rift had developed following one of the most miserable seasons in team history.
-
Manning, Irsay insist they are on same page
Peyton Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay insist they are just fine after a week filled with complaints and comments suggesting a rift had developed following one of the most miserable seasons in team history.
-
Pagano brings family feeling to Indianapolis
Chuck Pagano is a self-described “people person,” a trait that will come in handy if he hopes to accomplish his first goal as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Pagano, who officially was introduced during a more than 45-minute press conference Thursday afternoon at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, said he’d like to take his first 60-odd hours on the job and meet his players. One by one. One hour at a time.
-
Irsay scolds Manning
Jim Irsay met with a small group of media following Thursday’s press conference to introduce Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano. The subject quickly turned to the status of injured quarterback Peyton Manning, and the owner’s demeanor took on the tone of a father scolding his eldest son.
- More Colts Headlines
-
