Peyton Manning Injury: Can Colts Win a Single Game with No Hope of QB Return?

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has announced that Peyton Manning will be shut down for the remainder of the 2011 NFL season.  

Not a huge surprise. 

The report doesn't officially rule out Manning for the year, but he almost certainly is. 

The Colts are coming off a crushing loss on Sunday Night when they were extremely resilient against a more talented Steelers team.

Can the Colts win a game without Manning ever stepping on the field this year?

I think so.

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are still terrorizing pass rushers who can change the game in the blink of an eye, just ask Ben Roethlisberger.

The offense will obviously struggle at times without their maestro behind center, but I do like what I saw from Curtis Painter in the second half, even with his overthrow of Pierre Garcon.

Garcon, Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie formulate a talented receiving corp that will shorten the learning curve for Painter.

Nothing against Kerry Collins, but Painter's throws have more zip on them, and more playing time will lead to more confidence.

I don't think Collins is ready to manage this team, as he is often flustered inside the pocket. 

Painter isn't Tom Brady between the tackles, but he's young, has a live arm, and in my opinion, adds more excitement to the offense.

Their running game ran for 97 yards at a 4.6 yards per carry average against a stout Pittsburgh defense, and I think the coaching staff will lean on the ground game in the coming weeks.

Joseph Addai is running hard and offensive line anchor Jeff Saturday, at 36, is still one of the best centers in the game. 

They can definitely win games this year, but any victories will have to come in a different way.

Games against the Chiefs, Bengals and Jaguars will provide their best opportunities.

BREAKING: Irsay has since "back-tracked" his previous statement, saying they'll take Manning's situation on a month-by-month basis and that he could return in December.