ANDERSON, Ind. —
Jerraud Powers drew a few chuckles in August when he suggested the Indianapolis Colts’ goals had not changed this season.
Winning the division still topped the list, and the fourth-year cornerback even talked about Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans — despite the fact the Colts were just opening training camp following a 2-14 season.
Powers now is on season-ending injured reserve with a toe injury, but it appears as though he’ll have the last laugh.
Indianapolis (9-4) enters Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans still alive in the AFC South race. The Colts would have to win their final three regular-season games — including two against the top-seeded Texans — to claim the division title.
That might be a long shot, even in this charmed season in the Circle City. But it’s clear Indianapolis has far exceeded expectations.
The Colts were picked No. 32 — and last — in The Associated Press’ preseason power rankings. They were expected to be scouting college talent for another high draft pick next spring at this point in the season. Instead, they’re all but a lock to make the playoffs for the 10th time in the past 11 years.
Indianapolis needs one more victory to seal a postseason berth, but there are several scenarios in which the team’s season will extend into January even with three straight losses.
Many have pointed to a weak schedule — and the team’s 8-1 record in games decided by seven points or less — as evidence the Colts aren’t as good as their record indicates.
Interim head coach/offensive coordinator Bruce Arians doesn’t buy any of that talk.
“You can’t win nine ballgames with just smoke and mirrors, not in this league,” he said Monday, following Indianapolis’ latest come-from-behind victory. “You can’t win seven of eight in the last minutes without having guys that pass protect, get open, get the ball back for you defensively and a quarterback that can sling it in there and get touchdowns.”
That quarterback is at the center of the “smoke and mirrors” discussion.
Andrew Luck surpassed Peyton Manning’s franchise record for rookie passing yards in Sunday’s 27-23 victory against the Tennessee Titans, and he’s on pace to take down Cam Newton’s one-year-old NFL record as early as this week.
But he completed less than 50 percent of his passes for the second straight game and threw for just 196 yards with one score and two interceptions against the Titans.
His overall completion percentage (54.9) and quarterback rating (74.5) rank in the bottom quarter of the league. And he leads the NFL with 18 interceptions.
But those numbers tell only part of the story.
He’s been perfect on his last five trips into the red zone, and Indianapolis is one of the league’s most efficient teams in third-and-long situations. Luck also has more pass plays of 20 yards or longer than any other quarterback this year.
“Situational football is where quarterbacks win games more than anything else,” Arians said. “Obviously, you didn’t have to bring up (the) two-minute (offense). He’s done a great job there. Overall, there’s so many ways to rate quarterbacks now. I see one paper, he’s the third or fourth quarterback in the league and the other one he’s last. It’s like which one do you want to use? I just know we are 9-4 because he’s had a lot to do with it.”
Part of the perception issue comes from a relative lack of statement victories.
The Colts have just one win against a current playoff team — an emotional 30-27 victory against Green Bay on Oct. 7 — and that’s why Sunday’s game against the Texans carries such weight.
Indianapolis has failed spectacularly in blowout losses against playoff teams at Chicago and New England. The trip to Houston is an opportunity to show the Colts have learned from those games, as well as keep their dark horse division championship hopes alive.
“We should have a perfect record in the division,” Arians said. “We gave a game away (a 17-16 loss against Jacksonville on Sept. 23). Houston won the division last year. Indianapolis won it seven out of the last 10. It is time to hopefully go back and re-establish ourselves as the dominant team in the division. That’s our goal.”
Arians is well aware those could be viewed as fighting words deep in the heart of Texas.
“There is no doubt that they’re the top horse right now,” he said. “We’ve got to go in there and knock them off.”
Sports
Related Photos
-
Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck is tripped up by Tennessee's Jarius Wynn and tackled by another Titan defender during the Colts' win in Indianapolis on Dec. 9, 2012. Joe Garza / CNHI News Service
Discussion
Colts' cardiac style contains plenty of substance
Arians: Team's success is more than 'smoke and mirrors'
- Sports
-
-
Pacers knock out Knicks with 106-99 win in Game 6
Lance Stephenson scored a playoff career-high 25 points and led a late 11-2 run Saturday night, leading the Indiana Pacers past the New York Knicks, 106-99 and into the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2004.
-
Allman gets late model win at Anderson Speedway
Rob Allman scored his initial feature win of the season in the McGunegill Engine Performance late models Saturday at Anderson Speedway.
Allman took the lead from the start after the front row of Billy VanMeter and Greg VanAlst were sent to the tail for several false starts. -
Stinson sends Ball State to NCAA golf nationals
The Ball State men’s golf team is on its way to the NCAA Nationals for the first time since 1986 after defeating San Diego State in a playoff Saturday for the fifth and final qualifying spot out of the Pullman Regional.
-
No Triple Crown: Oxbow upsets Orb at Preakness
Oxbow put D. Wayne Lukas in the record books again with an upset of Orb in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, giving the Hall of Fame trainer his 14th win in a Triple Crown race.
-
Ravens’ World Series run comes to an end
The Anderson University softball team survived five elimination games to win the NCAA regional last week in Angola.
It took the nation’s top-ranked team to finally end the Ravens’ remarkable run.
Salisbury scored a 2-0 victory Saturday in Eau Claire, Wis., knocking AU (31-18) out of the NCAA Div. III Softball Championships in the program’s debut trip to the national finals. -
Indy native Carpenter captures 500 pole
It was a case of David versus Goliath, and once again David won as Ed Carpenter captured the pole position for next Sunday’s running of the Indianapolis 500.
Carpenter bested eight drivers for the two teams expected to compete for the pole position on Saturday. -
Arabians claim net sectional title
It had happened to Lauren Robertson once, and she was determined it wasn’t going to happen again.
With the score tied at 2-2 and the sectional title resting on the outcome of the No. 3 singles match, Pendleton Heights claimed the crown as Robertson defeated Alexandria’s Hannah Libler 6-4, 6-3.
The win was the first girls tennis sectional team title in school history for PH. -
Chargers, Freeney agree to 2-year deal
The San Diego Chargers agreed Saturday to a two-year deal with aging star pass rusher Dwight Freeney that could be worth $13.35 million.
The deal to bring Freeney to the Chargers came four days after outside linebacker Melvin Ingram tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a padless practice. -
Anderson University softball eliminated from NCAA Div. III World Series
The Anderson University softball team was eliminated from the NCAA Div. III World Series on Saturday with a 2-0 loss to top-seeded Salisbury University.
-
Report: Michael Phelps planning comeback
A report Friday evening from WBBH, an NBC television affiliate in Fort Myers, Fla., said Phelps will return to swimming with an eye toward competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Pacers knock out Knicks with 106-99 win in Game 6
MLB Hoping for Large Replay Expansion in 2014
America's Cup Officials Say Race Will Continue
LeBron James Wins NBA MVP for Fourth Time
African American Jockey Aims for Derby History
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Obama: 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of Jason Collins
Sacramento Mayor Lauds NBA Vote on Kings
NBA Star's Aunt: I Am Very Proud of Him
Tebow Time in New York Over After Jets Cut QB
White House Commends Jason Collins on Coming Out
NBA Veteran Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay
Raw: Alligator on Fairway at Zurich Classic
Backpacks Banned From Kentucky Derby
Ex Ravens LB Ayanbadejo Talks Equality
Red Sox Fans: Boston 'Getting Back to Normal'
