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Average Ranking thus far: 2nd

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Graphic by The Fabulous Indy Lori

Average Ranking: 2nd

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via cdn3.sbnation.com   Graphic by the Fabulous Indy Lori

Average Ranking: 2nd

Fox Sports ranks us 2nd (nc):  Indy's cruising along at 19 wins in a row, second only all-time to Brady/Belichick's 21 game-streak from 2006-08. Need more proof that Peyton Manning is the man? The Colts have set an NFL record by becoming the first team to win four consecutive games that they trailed in the fourth quarter of each.  So many records to keep track of...this was news to me.

Associated Content ranks us 1st (+1):  At this point, I almost expect the Colts to go 16-0 before losing in the divisional playoffs to the San Diego Chargers. The Colts have a three game lead on the entire AFC. They don't win pretty, but they win. If the Colts can find a rushing attack, they would be nearly unstoppable.  Gotta love the backhanded compliment.  AND, btw, we are NOT losing to SD again in the playoffs this year, dammit!!!

Pete Prisco @ CBS Sports ranks us 1st (nc): They won four games in November by a total of 10 points. They're not dominating, but they are winning.

Walter Football ranks us 1st (nc):  Sure, Peyton Manning is 10-0 and has just won two tough games, but I don't care! What's up with him ruining Dallas Clark's fantasy owners by passing the ball to Tom Santi all the time? Can't Manning just stick to the basics and pass the ball to his big fantasy guys? There's no reason to involve Santi at all. None, Peyton! Get your act together, you jerk!   And yet another reason to not involve oneself in FF.

Vic Carucci @ NFL.com ranks us 2nd (nc):  They've ridden on the edge all the way to 10-0. But their luck just might run out at Houston.  I'm going out on a limb and predicting that our offense finds its mojo this weekend while our defense remains awesome.  I think we win by 10+ points.  That's right, you heard it here first.

Yahoo's Michael Silver ranks us 2nd (nc): Does any NFL player do more with less measurable talent than inspirational middle linebacker Gary Brackett?

WEEI in Boston ranks us 2nd (nc):  The Colts’ bend-but-don’t-break defense stepped up in the red zone and held the Ravens to field goals instead of touchdowns. Indianapolis leads the league allowing an average of 15.7 points per game.

ESPN ranks us 2nd (nc):  Even when the Colts don't play particularly well, opponents haven't seized opportunities. (Kuharsky)   Why does Kuharsky even bother with the rest of the AFC South?  He lives in Nashville, he used to be the beat writer for the Titans, he refuses to even try to be objective.  He's getting on my last nerve.

Pro Football Weekly ranks us 2nd (nc):  Peyton Manning looked in postgame interview like he had lost.  And THIS is why I say the offense torches Houston on Sunday.

NFL.com's Collective "Brain" Trust ranks us 2nd (nc)

Sporting News ranks us 2nd (nc):  Don't judge them by how their wins look. Judge them by how frequently they win.  Finally, someone who makes sense.

National Football Post ranks us 2nd (nc):  Winning at Baltimore is just another example of how the Colts can play different styles of football—which is big come the postseason.

WhatIfSports ranks us 2nd (nc)

Peter King @ SI ranks us 2nd (nc):  Peyton Manning looked like his dog had just died during his postgame press conference, but that's because he seeks perfection, and the offensive performance was hardly perfect in the escapist 17-15 win over Baltimore. Interesting stat passed along by Scott Parsell of Indianapolis,: "In November, the Colts have outscored their opponents by just 10 points but are still 4-0."

USA Today ranks us 1st (+1):  Last four victories have been by a combined 10 points.

FanHouse ranks us 2nd (nc):  There shouldn't be a day that goes by without someone in Indianapolis giving thanks for what the union of Archie and Olivia Manning has provided, but this season there should also be some gratitude shown to defensive coordinator Larry Coyer. His more aggressive approach to defense has helped the Colts survive injuries in the secondary well enough to make an undefeated season a real possibility.  I know there are more than a few people here who give thanks daily.

CHFF ranks us 2nd (nc):  Last week: 17-15 win at Baltimore. The Colts are now an incredible 12-0 in games decided by a touchdown or less during their current 21-game regular-season winning streak. Unfortunately for them, in the middle of all this success is a loss by 6 at San Diego in the 2008 postseason. 

Don Banks @ SI ranks us 2nd (nc):  A Colts win and a Jaguars loss this week clinches the division for Indy, even before November is done, and that's just too much time to idle and get ready for the playoffs. As one of the top two seeds in the AFC, Indy wouldn't open up in the divisional round until the weekend of Jan. 16-17. That's an eternity from now, and there's only so much rest a football team can make good use of. We've seen the Colts ease into the postseason in the past, and not always with good results.  That's right, Don.  If Indy clinches the division this weekend, they're taking the rest of the season off - dumbass.

Some idiot from Yahoo who goes by the name Jason Cole ranks us 3rd (And you are going to looovvve this!): That’s three straight weeks where the other team gave them a win.  Tip to vintagephoenix

via cdn0.sbnation.com  Graphic by Indy Lori

Average Ranking: 2nd

Fox Sports ranks us 2nd (nc):  The guy gets so overshadowed by the massive attention deservedly thrust in his QB's direction, but seriously, what a catch by Reggie Wayne to beat the Patriots. And what a night by Wayne, a game-high 10 catches for 126 yards and 2 TDs.

Associated Content ranks us

Pete Prisco @ CBS ranks us 1st (nc):  They should send Belichick a Christmas card. What a gift. They face a tough road game this week at Baltimore.  Why does everyone doubt the Peyton could have gone the 70-80 yards in just under two minutes?  Had he not just done that twice before?  Plus a little love for Bullitt and our D is in order, I think. 

Walter Football ranks us 1st (+1):  What a comeback by Peyton Manning. I'm upset that he didn't cover, but I needed the Colts to win straight up in 610WIP.com's Survivor Pool (we had to pick the winner of the Colts-Patriots game on top of our survivor selection because there are 3,000 people remaining out of the 22,000 that started). So, when New England was up 31-14, I prepared the following Sunday night notes about Indianapolis: 1. Why is Peyton Manning throwing all of these interceptions and ugly incompletions? He must have snorted coke before the game. The NFL should suspend him for violating the substance policy or kick him out of the league entirely! 2. Pierre Garcon is the worst wide receiver of all time. By my estimation, he has dropped 84 passes in this game alone.
3. The refs are blind! New England defenders are carrying small, invisible knives and stabbing the Indianapolis running backs when no one is looking! That's why Joseph Addai and Chad Simpson had to leave early. How are the officials not seeing this!? 

Vic Carucci @ NFL.com ranks us 2nd (nc):  Sure, the Colts benefitted greatly from Bill Belichick's off-the-wall call, and they've lived on the edge for much of the season, but they're legitimately one of the very best teams in the league. 

Yahoo's Michael Silver ranks us 2nd (nc): Yo, football gods: If Jim Caldwell didn’t lose on Sunday, will he ever?

WEEI in Boston ranks us 2nd (nc):   Peyton Manning can’t be stopped, but the Colts secondary was very much exposed Sunday night. The Colts will need their defensive backs to step up. I doubt they receive any more gifts like the one Bill Belichick gave them. 

ESPN ranks us 2nd (nc):  At an odd crossroads of being undefeated and having a lot of issues to work through at the same time. (Kuharsky)  

Pro Football Weekly ranks us 2nd (nc):  Patriots-Colts II, circa mid-January. You know it's coming. 

NFL.com ranks us 2nd (nc) 

Sporting News ranks us 2nd (nc):  After an assist from Patriots coach Bill Belichick, still unbeaten as they visit Baltimore. 

National Football Post ranks us 2nd (nc):  Would you give the ball to Peyton Manning at the 28-yard line? That was too easy for the league’s best QB. 

WhatIfSports ranks us 2nd (nc)

Peter King @ SI ranks us 2nd (nc):  I am reminded of a Jack Buckism. I don't believe what I just saw. Amazing comeback win by the Colts. 

FanHouse ranks us 2nd (nc):  Witchcraft or not, Peyton Manning just finds a way to continue winning games. The Colts have now won 18 consecutive regular season games. Home field advantage throughout the playoffs is on the horizon and it could pave the path to their second Super Bowl championship. -- Matt Snyder 

USA Today ranks us 2nd (nc)

CHFF ranks us 2nd (nc):  Last week: 35-34 win vs. New England. Peyton Manning is 5-0 this year when asked to pass 40 or more times in a game. How good is that? Only one QB has gone 6-0 in a season passing 40 or more times and his name is John Elway (1985). Last we checked he was pretty good. Manning, with seven games still to play, is well on his way to smashing that record.  

Don Banks @ SI ranks us 2nd (nc):  Buried amid the never-ending Bill Belichick debate was a rather disconcerting reality for the Colts: Young receivers Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie simply weren't ready for their big-game close-ups Sunday night against New England. Garcon especially struggled against the Patriots, dropping passes and putting even more pressure on Peyton Manning to rely on Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. The Colts have been survivors this season in any number of ways, but it's hard to see them going as far as they want to go with only two reliable receiving options.

via cdn2.sbnation.com   Graphic by Indy Lori (aka "The Awesome")

Average Ranking to date: 2nd

Fox Sports ranks us 2nd (nc):  FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Even mostly without perennial All-Pro safety Bob Sanders, the Colts have been benefactors of the NFL's best scoring defense in the first half. And oh yeah, that Peyton Manning fellow ain't too bad, either.  Yeah, I think he's a keeper.

Associated Content ranks us 2nd

Pete Prisco @ CBS Sports ranks us 1st (nc):  They're finding ways to win, but they aren't playing great. The offense is moving the ball, but not scoring touchdowns. That can't happen this week against New England.  Ya think?!

Walter Football ranks us 2nd (nc):  Huge game between the Patriots and Colts coming up. To get an inside look, let's go to Keyshawn Johnson, who had this to say about Peyton Manning recently: "He's quarterback human like all the quarterbacks in the NFL." Apparently, when we weren't paying attention, some people evolved into something called a quarterback human. So kids, if you're reading this, just know that you have no chance of becoming a quarterback in the NFL unless you've evolved into a quarterback human. If you haven't, too bad. There's always baseball.   Keyshawn, C'mon, man!!!

Vic Carucci @ NFL.com ranks us 2nd (nc):  Are injuries starting to catch up with the Colts? Sunday night vs. the Patriots should be very telling.  Yes, my blood pressure is already high.  btw, he gives both Dallas and Caldwell some love.

Michael Silver @ Yahoo Sports ranks us 2nd (nc):   Don’t you get the distinct feeling that the next passer to throw for 40,000 yards in a decade will also be Peyton Manning?  I like his thinking this week!  That's some Kool Aid I could get used to.  D-Free gets some love in this article!

WEEI in Boston ranks us 2nd (nc):  Two straight weeks of mediocre play from the Colts. However, they still were able to pull out the win in each game. It will be interesting to see how the injuries on defense will affect them.

ESPN ranks us 2nd (nc):  Let the hype begin for another giant Patriots-Colts game in November. (Kuharsky)   Is it just me, or is Kuharsky a tad slow...like "short bus" slow?

PFW ranks us 2nd (nc):  Have to wonder if defensive injuries will catch up with them.  Notice a reoccurring theme, here? 

NFL.com ranks us 2nd (nc)

Sporting News ranks us 2nd (nc):  Next up, the Patriots: Another midseason duel between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

National Football Post ranks us 2nd (nc):  The Colts may have survived at home, but that is what playoff teams do when they are on the ropes.

WhatIfSports ranks us 2nd ( nc)

Peter King @ SI ranks us 2nd (nc):  Dates of the last five Pats-Colts games as the November sweeps continue to dictate the scheduling of this big game: Nov. 7, 2005; Nov. 5, 2006; Nov. 4, 2007; Nov. 2, 2008; Nov. 15, 2009.  And the hype has begun...

FanHouse ranks us 2nd:  Only one team in the AFC has a higher point differential and it's by a single point. That teams? Their Week 10 opponent, of course. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The Colts already have a stronghold on the division and a win here would give them a similar grip -- at least temporarily -- on the AFC. -- Matt Snyder

CHFF ranks us 2nd (nc):  Last week: 20-17 win vs. Houston. Amazing fact of the millennium: Of Indy's 11 current starters on defense, only rookie Jarraud Powers and DE Dwight Freeney were drafted higher than the fifth round.

USA Today ranks us 2nd:  CBs will get big test vs. Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Patriots.

Don Banks @ SI ranks us 2nd (nc):  Though neither quarterback will probably ever admit it, I've always wondered if Peyton Manning and Tom Brady get a bit weary of having to face each other every year in such a Game of the Century hype-fest? It's always about the quarterbacks and who's better and who's more valuable and who would you rather have? Blah, blah, blah. It's like having the exact same argument with family members each and every Thanksgiving, right after dinner. My hunch is they enjoy it to a certain degree and endure it to a certain degree. Brady probably even missed it some last year when Matt Cassel took over, but I'll bet it didn't spoil Manning's day one bit to beat New England 18-15 without No. 12 in the New England lineup.  Frankly I love how the MSM complain about the "hype fest" while they hype it up.

Covers.com ranks us (to be updated 11.12)

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Average Ranking to date: 2nd

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