Manning, Addai give fans a glimpse of Colts of old

This was just what the doctor ordered for the Indianapolis Colts. Their 33-27 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday was vintage Peyton Manning and Joseph Addai.

Instead of the team that had sputtered offensively for most of the season and stood at 5-4, the Colts looked like the club from recent years that dared opponents to try to stand toe-to-toe with their scoring attack.

Commentary: Manning looked like the Super Bowl quarterback and MVP candidate of old, completing 65 percent of his 46 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns. Addai also finally got the running game on track, gaining 105 yards and scoring once.

Marvin Harrison also made it an offensive All-Pro reunion, catching nine passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Houston kept the game close with the 156-yard rushing performance by Steve Slaton, but every time the Texans would take the lead or cut into the Colts’ advantage, Manning and Addai would deliver.

This was a must-win game for Indianapolis in an effort to keep playoff hopes alive. At 6-4 on the season, the Colts have virtually no shot to catch first-place Tennessee at 10-0. Indianapolis is focusing on the wild card, and the win over the Texans helped the Colts keep pace with Miami, New England and Baltimore.

Fan Pulse: Fans are encouraged by Manning and Addai's offensive performance. This is the way the Colts are supposed to play on offense and it needs to continue if they are going to secure a playoff berth.

Fantasy Impact: Manning, Addai and Harrison have been fantasy football staples for the past several years. This season, however, only Manning has been reliable enough to continue to start on a weekly basis. That will hopefully change for their fantasy owners after the Houston game. Manning looked like the quarterback who breaks down defenses and limits his mistakes, something he hadn’t done enough earlier this season.

Injury Watch: For the first time all season, the Colts appear to be healthy. They did lose reserve cornerback Nick Graham to an ankle injury on Sunday, but he isn’t an impact player.

 

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