INDIANAPOLIS -- The list of quarterbacks and teams that have dissected the Indianapolis Colts this season is an impressive one.
Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
We’ve all seen that the Colts can beat teams with marginal to below-average talent. But the same can’t be said about teams that have talented players at their skill positions.
That’s why it’s difficult to believe that Indianapolis is capable of making a deep run in the playoffs because they'll likely have to beat one of those teams listed above.
The Colts final test in the regular season to prove that they’re capable of doing that comes Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
“That’s a challenge and we’re going to take that personally,” Colts safety Mike Adams said. “We put that challenge on ourselves. That’s why this game is huge for us. I heard a rumor about sitting players. You can’t do that. Not now because this is a test for us on where we’re at, where we’re going. Anybody can get hot now. We’re that team, this game we can prove that.”
No offense to the Patriots, Broncos and Steelers, but the Cowboys are the most balanced offensive team that the Colts will face this season. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo isn’t in the same class as Brady, Manning and Roethlisberger. But the Cowboys, who are trying to hold off the Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the NFC East, have an argument in other areas.
Running back?
DeMarco Murray, whose status is in question because of a broken left ring finger, leads the NFL in rushing.
Tight end?
The Cowboys have Jason Witten.
Receiver?
Offensive line?
Colts coach Chuck Pagano called it the best group that they’ll face this season.
“Yeah, we’ve clinched (the AFC South), but we’re out to keep that momentum and answer those questions that we can play better against better quarterbacks, better offenses," linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said. "This is probably the best offense we’re going to face in terms of balance.
“It’s definitely going to be a challenge. This time of year the stakes get higher and higher and you play better teams, betters quarterbacks. It’s going to be a playoff atmosphere going down there. Every game for them matters.”
The numbers don’t lie in the Colts’ four losses this season. They’ve been outscored 154-105, allowing teams to convert 58 percent of their third-down attempts and rack up 1,961 yards on their defense. The opposition has also had the ball for almost 33 minutes a game.
Earlier this season, Indianapolis did beat Cincinnati and Baltimore, who both would make the playoffs if the postseason started today.
“Going to be a heck of a challenge (Sunday), a damn good football team,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “We know what they’re fighting for. Our goal is to get No. 11 and get some things up. It’s going to be a heck of a challenge to see exactly where we’re at. We’ve played good defense the last couple of weeks. The whole idea is to stay consistent and go play well. Play better than we did last week. That’s our goal.”