The Dime Package: Indianapolis Colts Questions Heading into the Bye

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Another week. Another win. Another round of Colts questions.

Don't think I could get tired of this routine.

10. Titans To Be a Big Test, Huh?

I was a little off on that one, yes. In the past, this would have been a down to the wire game.

The Colts started off sluggish—muffed punt, Peyton's interception. If not for a brilliant play by Antoine Bethea to cause the fumble that set up a short field for the Colts' first touchdown, it could have been a brutal start.

Still, the Titans never capitalized on the early miscues. Good teams find a way to win when they start poorly. Apparently the Colts are beyond good since they not only found a way to win, but they found a way to humiliate the Titans in what was essentially Tennessee's season defining game.

It was a statement of how good the Colts are, just as much as how bad the Titans are. 13-3 to 5-11 seems quite conceivable for them.

9. Could This Be the Best Indianapolis Colts Team Ever?

The Indianapolis Star's Eddie Kravitz initially asked the question. A lot of fans, including myself, have always felt the 2005 team was the best team Indianapolis has had—definitely better than the 2006 team that managed to gel in time for the playoffs.

The 2005 was a very dominant team, starting the year off 13-0, before finishing 14-2. Too bad a great season was soured by the opening playoff loss to Pittsburgh.

Through five games, the 2005 team was averaging 21.2 ppg on offense and allowed an amazing 5.8 ppg on defense. That's a difference of 15.4 ppg.

The 2009 version of the Colts is averaging 27.4 ppg on offense and allowing 14.2 ppg on defense. That's a difference of 13.2 ppg.

The 2005 team was off to a better start, but it should be noted their numbers slid a little as the season went on. If the '09 Colts can keep up the pace, they could perform better statistically than their 2005 counterparts.

Not that anyone would really care as long as they performed better in the playoffs.

There's no doubting this current team has a lot of potential.

8. Could Manning Win a Historic Fourth NFL MVP?

He's certainly the front runner. Drew Brees cooled off after his blistering two game start. There's several other good stories, but Manning is starting the year off on a tremendous pace.

He's completing 73.5 percent of his passes. His career best is 67.6. He's on pace to throw for over 5,200 yards, 45 yards per game over his career best.

Manning may not make the touchdown record, but he's off to a remarkable start in nearly every other category.

Since it's never been done, it'll obviously be hard for Manning to win a fourth MVP award. They'll be a ton of sentiment for Brett Favre, I imagine, if he leads the Vikings to a 12 win season, but I hope that doesn't happen.

Manning's numbers will dwarf Favre's. Baring a disaster, I see only Brees as his main competition.

7. Who's The Best Rookie So Far?

Tough question. I'll say this first. This may go down as Bill Polian's best draft in Indianapolis. Donald Brown, Austin Collie, and Jerraud Powers are all being very productive rookies.

Throw in undrafted Jacob Lacey, and this rookie class has been extremely impressive.

Also, consider this. After the Colts' draft, most media were praising the Colts for drafting big defensive tackles Fili Moala and Terrence Taylor. Taylor got cut, and Moala has been inactive.

Even with those big blemishes, it's been a successful group thus far.

That said, I'd have to give the early nod to Lacey. All four of the guys I mentioned have been solid, but the other three were all drafted in the top four rounds.

Few, if any, could have expected Lacey to be productive, let alone play significant minutes for a defense ranked in the top 10 in passing yards allowed. Lacey, who is tied for the team lead with five defensed passes, has been a pleasant surprise.

6. Any of The Vets Surprise You?

Okay, I have this to say:

Sorry, Charlie.

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