Are the Indianapolis Colts Too Banged Up for Peyton Manning To Save?

Peyton Manning is a first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback. However, this season his Indianapolis Colts have had to battle more key injuries than during any other time in Manning's storied career.

There is no doubt that Manning is a different breed of quarterback, but at 6-4, is there any chance the Colts turn it on this season and win a Super Bowl?

5. No: Star Players Remain Healthy

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Matt Schaub #8 of Houston Texans fumbles the ball while being tackled by Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyon

Peyton Manning, Dwight Freeney, Jeff Saturday and Reggie Wayne are all relatively healthy for the Colts.

Those are four Pro Bowl-caliber players who could carry the Colts to a playoff run. While the Colts do need players around these stars in order to really be a dominant team, these guys are the key to winning games in Indianapolis.

5. Yes: Dallas Clark Is Out

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 17: Dallas Clark #44 of the Indianapolis Colts picks up yards after a reception against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 17, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Colts won the game 27-24. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Imag

Dallas Clark is on injured reserve after a wrist injury sidelined the tight end for the season.

During his tenure with the Colts, Clark has been the ultimate mismatch used by Peyton Manning to attack opponents.

However, with his departure, the Colts have turned to Jacob Tamme, who is no Dallas Clark.

The injury to Dallas Clark means one fewer weapon on a team that is losing weapons left and right.

4. No: Dearth of Dominant Teams

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during a time out in the second half against the New England Patriots on November 21, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 31-

The Colts are part of the muddied middle in the AFC playoff picture. With no team running away with the AFC, let alone the AFC South, the Colts are still firmly in the playoff race.

No matter what injuries the Colts are dealing with currently, the lack of dominance in the AFC means that the Colts still have a chance to get better and healthy enough for a long playoff run.

4. Yes: Jacob Tamme, Blair White and the Other No-Name All Stars

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Blair White #15 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Last year it was Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie whom the Colts relied on to carry the offensive load. This season it is Jacob Tamme, Blair White and Javarris James who are stepping up.

I am not saying that these young guys will fail in big moments, but I am saying that it is impossible to predict how they will perform in high-pressure situations.

We could call this one a wash, but I think ultimately it is a detriment to these Colts.

3. No: Schedule Sets Up Nicely

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INDIANAPOLIS - DECEMBER 06: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts leaves the field following the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 6, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Here is the remainder of the Colts schedule:

Vs. San Diego

Vs. Dallas

@ Tennessee

Vs. Jacksonville

@ Oakland

Vs. Tennessee

Of those teams, only Jacksonville currently has a record over .500.

San Diego really provides the biggest challenge for the Colts. Dallas is a disappointment but still has some talent. Tennessee is down a starting quarterback. Jacksonville has two lucky wins. Oakland has been a surprise, but it is impossible to predict which team you will get in that one.

3. Yes: Super Bowl Hangover

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts walks on the field against the New Orleans Saints during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

No team has won a Super Bowl after losing one the previous year since the Dallas Cowboys did it in 1994.

Since then only the Titans, Seahawks and Cardinals have made the playoffs after losing in the Super Bowl.

While it is uncommon to see the Colts falter, it isn't uncommon to see a Super Bowl loser underperform the following season.

2. No: Bob Sanders Is Getting Healthy

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Bob Sanders #21 of the Indianapolis Colts moves on the field during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Colts safety Bob Sanders has had a difficult time staying healthy over the past few years.

This season has been no different.

However, Sanders is getting close to returning to the Colts starting lineup. And when he is healthy, no players impacts the Indianapolis defense more than Sanders.

During the Colts run to the 2007, Sanders played a huge role in the defense stepping up in the playoffs.

In order for the Colts to make a similar run, Sanders will need to be there.

2. Yes: No Consistent Running Game

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Donald Brown #31 of the Indianapolis Colts runs against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The keys to the Colts drive to the 2007 Super Bowl was the defense and the running game.

We have talked already about the defense and how they are likely to make a leap when Bob Sanders returns to the starting lineup. While the defense isn't great by any means, they are adequate.

However, the running game hasn't been good all year. Joseph Addai has been hurt, Mike Hart has been slowed by an ankle injury, Javarris James has been slowed by a knee and much of the running game has been thrust on Donald Brown.

None of the Colts running backs, even when healthy, are anywhere close to what Addai and Dominic Rhodes were in 2007, providing a great one-two punch that season.

1. No: Manning Helps Player Develpment

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 24: Wide receiver Pierre Garcon #85 and quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrate after the Colts defeated the New York Jets 30-17 to win the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 24, 2010 i

Last year Peyton Manning took Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, both unheralded rookies, and really developed them into quality NFL receivers. 

He has shown his ability to develop young guys into reliable weapons on offense.

Manning will have to do the same this year for the Colts to make the playoffs, but Manning is the best at utilizing specific talents.

1. Yes: Manning Only Has One Super Bowl Win

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 04: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy next to head coach Tony Dungy and is wife, Lauren, and CBS sports broadcaster Jim Nantz after winning the Super

Peyton Manning is a surefire Hall of Fame quarterback, but that doesn't change the fact that he has been very inconsistent during his playoff career.

Manning has only won a single Super Bowl, and that came against a bad Bears team that used a great defense to sneak through the NFC playoffs.

The Colts got into the Super Bowl by barely beating a great New England Patriots team.

Prior to the Colts Super Bowl win, many people thought Manning could go his entire career without a Super Bowl. Many even said that he had a history of choking in big games.

Verdict: Can Colts Overcome Injuries To Win in 2010?

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks at the clock in the second half during a game against the New England Patriots reacts in the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Ph

The New England game last week is a great indication of what to expect from the Colts for the rest of the season.

The Colts are going to end up relying far too much on Peyton Manning, and ultimately, if a team is that imbalanced they are going to fail.

Yes, I think the Colts win the AFC South and go to the playoffs, but I would be shocked to see them win it all this year.