NFL

Perfect or not, Colts looking to playoffs

INDIANAPOLIS - Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts would define perfection as winning a Super Bowl title. Anything more would be a bonus.

But with five weeks left in the regular season, the Colts' arduous, three-decade quest to return to the Super Bowl now carries an added burden - trying to join the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only unbeaten teams in NFL history.

Forget that the Colts are already 11-0, could clinch the AFC South title in the next two weeks and may soon wrap up a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The big question now around Indy - and the NFL - is whether anyone can beat this team.

Coach Tony Dungy wants everyone to keep things in perspective.

"Hopefully we win the next two because that means we will wrap up the division," he said Tuesday.

"If we win them, we know there will be a lot of talk about "Can you go undefeated?' But that's never really been our goal."

What the Colts have demonstrated through September, October and November is that they can win games in almost every conceivable fashion.

Shut down Manning and the offense, and Indy can win the slugfest. Force the Colts into a shootout, and they'll score more points. Take the lead, early or late, and the Colts can rally. And if an opponent dares the Colts to protect a lead, they've proven they can run out the clock.

"It's a matter of it all coming together at the right time," running back Edgerrin James said.

How good are the Colts?

Indy hasn't trailed in a game since Oct. 17, the offense has averaged nearly 36 points in the last eight games and the defense has allowed an AFC-low 159 points.

On Monday, former Bears and Saints coach Mike Ditka said on a national radio talk show that this offense was the best he'd ever seen.

Last week, Don Shula, architect of the Dolphins team that went 17-0, said he believed the Colts could continue knocking off challengers.

"As long as they stay healthy," said Shula, "I think they've got a great shot at it."

[Last modified November 30, 2005, 02:15:38]