Give and Take

Oehser asks and responds to 49ers questions

Question 1: The Colts have started hot before in the past but have struggled down the stretch. With the Colts and their win streak dating back to last season, do you see something different with the team than those of years past?

Answer 1: Actually, it’s not really fair to say the Colts have struggled down the stretch. The Colts have been the best regular-season team in the NFL since 2003, and won nine consecutive games to make the playoffs last season. Somewhat amazingly, the only season since 2004 when they have lost a December regular-season game with playoff implications was 2006, when they four of their last seven games – and won the Super Bowl. The Colts’ problems have come in the postseason and in a lot of cases, it has been injuries and/or outside circumstances that have hurt them. In 2007, DE Dwight Freeney’s absence crippled the pass rush and led to a Divisional Playoff loss at home to San Diego. In 2005, the death of then-Head Coach Tony Dungy’s son, James, destroyed the momentun and in 2003 and 2004 they lost to superior New England team. Last season, frankly, they probably weren’t quite as good as their 12-4 regular season record. Dungy did a great coaching job in his final season and QB Peyton Manning had as good a nine games down the stretch as a quarterback can have to carry them into the playoffs. To answer the question – finally – the difference thus far is that this team seems to be the best Colts’ defensive team since the first half of 2007, when they were dominant before Freeney’s injury. They also have better depth and more weapons offensively at the skill positions than many years past. The theme with the Colts, though, is what it has been since 2003, and that’s that the postseason will be the measure.