The Indianapolis Colts are 1-2 coming off their bye week last weekend. The Colts have won 11 of 12 against the Texans. Last season, Indianapolis finished with a 13-3 record but lost to the San Diego Chargers in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Head coach Tony Dungy is in his seventh season with the club. Dungy has directed the Colts to a 73-23 regular-season record, six playoff appearances, five AFC South titles, two AFC Championship game appearances and a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Peyton Manning is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection in 10 years in the league. Manning has also been named the NFL MVP twice. Last season, Manning threw for more than 4,000 yards for the eighth time in his career. He finished 2007 with 4,040 yards, 31 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Through three games this season, Manning has thrown for 784 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions.
Running back: Colts 2006 first-round draft pick Joseph Addai has lived up to his draft status. He has yet to rush for less than 1,000 yards in his first two seasons and was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season. Addai has rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries so far in 2008. The Colts brought back Dominic Rhodes in the offseason to back up Addai.
Wide receiver/tight end: The Colts' receivers have been among the league's best for several years. Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison are a potent combination. Wayne caught 104 passes last season for 1,510 yards and 10 touchdowns. Harrison is said to be back at full-strength after an injury kept him out last season. He made seven straight Pro Bowls from 1999-2006. The Colts' 2007 first-round draft pick, Anthony Gonzalez, already has 16 catches this season for 222 yards. Tight end Dallas Clark had a career season last year, catching 58 passes for 616 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Offensive line: Center Jeff Saturday anchors the Colts' offensive line. Saturday started 16 games at center for the seventh time in his career and earned his third trip to the Pro Bowl in 2007. He has been the starting center for the AFC's Pro Bowl team for the past three seasons. At left tackle is Tony Ugoh, who was the Colts' second-round draft pick in 2007. Ugoh was named to the Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team after his rookie season. Left guard Charlie Johnson started 10 games at either left or right tackle in 2007 and makes the switch to left guard this season. The right guard is Daniel Federkeil, who is in his first season as a starter. Right tackle Ryan Diem started 10 games in 2007.
DEFENSE
Defensive line: Dwight Freeney has become one of the best defensive ends in the league. The three-time Pro Bowler returns this season after an injury kept him sidelined for much of 2007. End Raheem Brock occupies the opposite side of the line, from where he already has 12 tackles this season. Former Texas Tech Red Raider Keyunta Dawson started four games at defensive tackle last year in his rookie season and will keep his starting spot this year. Helping Dawson out up the middle is rookie defensive tackle Eric Foster, who has one start to his name.
Linebacker: Clint Session, in just his second season in the league, starts at outside linebacker after starting one game last year. Middle linebacker Gary Brackett, a six-year veteran, started all 16 games last season and registered 116 tackles with four interceptions. At the other outside position, Freddy Keiaho is a third-year player who started 11 games last season and registered 81 tackles.
Secondary: Bob Sanders, the 2007 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year and two-time Pro Bowl selection, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery recently and will be out for at least a few more weeks. That gives Matt Giordano a chance to show what he can do in Sanders' place. Helping Giordano out over the top is free safety Antoine Bethea, who made his first career Pro Bowl last season after posting 64 tackles and four interceptions. Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson provide the Colts with solid coverage at cornerback. Jackson, the Colts' first-round pick in 2005, finished the 2007 season with 88 tackles, four passes defensed and one interception. Hayden was selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft and finished the 2007 season with three interceptions.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicking: Adam Vinatieri is a two-time Pro Bowl kicker and has started his career with 12 consecutive 100-point seasons. Punter Hunter Smith handles all of the punting and holding duties.
Receiving: Rookie running back Justin Forsett returns punts and kickoffs for the Colts this season. A rookie out of Cal, Forsett has averaged 22.2 yards on six kickoff returns and 10 yards per punt return this season.
