In-D ( The Colts Defense)

Don't say the Indianapolis Colts can't play defense. They can, and if you don't believe it, you weren't paying attention to their last two games. They stiffed Baltimore and they stifled the Jets, and I don't care that neither was "The Greatest Show on Turf."

They didn't do diddly poo.

That's a testament to Indy's defense that's better than it looks on paper. The Colts ranked 18th overall and 24th against the run this season, and though neither is all that impressive, don't be deceived. These guys are better, much better, than those numbers, and I offer their eighth place standing in points allowed as Exhibit A. In 10 of their first 13 games, the Colts allowed 17 or fewer points, including two where they surrendered no more than 10.

What happened down the stretch when their last three opponents averaged 30 points apiece, including offensively challenged Buffalo? The Colts started backing off, resting starters and not playing at full strength. So their second and third-stringers get drilled by Buffalo. Big deal, it doesn't matter.

This does: Neither of their playoff opponents figured them out.

"I think we're a great defense," said Colts defensive lineman Raheem Brock. "I think we have a great run defense and a great pass defense overall, period. We've been trying to earn respect all year. A lot of teams came to Indianapolis and they ran the ball on us or passed all day. And I think we did a great job the last two games of the playoffs shutting down the top running teams."
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Ah, yes, the top running teams. There was no team more effective running the ball than the Jets. Five times they ran for 200 or more yards, including a season-best 318 against the Buffalo Bills. Then they shredded Cincinnati for 171 and San Diego for 169 in the playoffs before running into the Colts, and look what happened -- they had a season-low 86.

The Ravens had the league's fifth-best rushing attack, one that annihilated New England in the first round of the playoffs with 234 yards. Then they ran into Indianapolis, and said goodnight, folks -- they limped to 87.

"You look at this season and we won in a lot of different phases -- special teams, offense and defense," said linebacker Gary Brackett. "I think [recognition for the defense] is starting to come, and I think it's the old adage -- offense sells tickets, defense wins championships."

That was true the last time Indianapolis made it this far. The Colts won four playoff games after ranking dead last against the run and allowing Jacksonville's backs to rip them for 375 yards three years ago. Yet once the playoffs began, opponents couldn't budge them, and, yeah, it had a lot to do with the return of safety Bob Sanders. But it had a lot to do with the timing, too. Then, like now, they played better when games mattered more.

"Our style is a little different [now]," said Brackett. "I think our defense is a little bit more aggressive. We do a lot more things on the defensive side of the ball. We're not as predictable as we were in 2006, but the '06 team has a title. Up until this point I think they still have an edge because they have a title, and that's something that resonates with this '09 team."


If there's a knock on the Colts, it's that they wilted against the best quarterback they faced, Tom Brady, surrendering more points (34) and passing yards (375) to him than any opponent. But read the fine print, people: Indy buckled down on defense when it had to -- holding the Patriots to 10 second-half points, including one score that followed a Peyton Manning interception.

More important, they stuffed the Pats on a critical fourth-quarter possession, and so what that coach Bill Belichick gets an assist for trying to convert a fourth-and-2 late in the game -- what matters is that he didn't make it.

And that's what I like about this defense. When it has to make plays, it does. After spotting Houston a 20-7 halftime lead this season, the Colts surrendered one second-half touchdown. After spotting the Jets a 17-6 first-half lead in the AFC Championship Game, the Colts allowed nothing in the second half.

Yeah, sure, Brandon Marshall had a league-record 21 catches against them. So what? Thirteen of them were under 10 yards, and seven were five yards or fewer. Marshall averaged 9.5 yards per reception, and welcome to the club. Larry Fitzgerald caught seven on the Colts, yet averaged 10.9 yards per grab. Andre Johnson had 10 catches against them, but averaged 10.3.

I think you get the idea. You can find holes in the Colts secondary, but it's rare to beat it for big plays. So it happened a couple of times against the Jets -- it didn't happen after Indianapolis buckled down.

And there's where these guys are solid. They're resilient, holding up when they must. They're better against the run than most people think, and while they can be punctured by the pass, their defenders are quick to the ball, rarely miss tackles and are seldom gashed for big gains.

"That's why we're excited about going up against the Saints with a high-powered overall offense, not just a running team," said Brock. "Everybody will finally respect us if we dominate the game."

I respect them already. I don't care that it's not an elite defense. It doesn't have to be -- it's good enough to win.