The Colts have now 21 straight regular-season victories tying the 2006-2008 New England Patriots for the longest in NFL history. They are 12-0 this season and continue to roll.
Do not take this success for granted with the Indianapolis Colts. Peyton Manning completely turned this franchise around when he got here in 1998. They won just 3 games, yes 3 games in his first season. The Colts have been extremely successful since his arrival. They have won 10 or more games 10 of 12 years. They have won a NFL record 7 straight 12-wins or more. And don’t forget, he has started a record 188 straight starts to begin a career.
Don’t forget the seasons with no hope. Don’t forget the seasons with few wins. Don’t forget the seasons without sellouts. And don’t forget the seasons without playoffs.
Colts fans have been blessed with top management. Jim Irsay has been great providing GM Bill Polian and the team with whatever resources are necessary. Polian is clearly the GM of the decade leading to unheralded success. He has the vision to evaluate talent to find players like Gary Brackett, Jeff Saturday, and Robert Mathis, all either fifth-round-or-lower draft picks or college free agents.
Manning probably has about eight seasons left in him. Enjoy this success and top-level football because you will not see another player like him. Manning combined with fantastic talent, (Harrison, Wayne, Freeney) a solid coaching staff (Dungy, Caldwell, Moore, Mudd) and the best GM (Polian), the Indianapolis Colts have had a decade to remember being the most dominate team.
It’s been a fun run and an amazing feat…but remember to enjoy every minute as it has to end sometime.
Bad Omen for the Colts: The Patriots 21-game regular season win streak took place from 2006-08, during which time, the Patriots won 0 Super Bowl rings.