You're going from experience, Indy, and I have to say, it must really chafe you to see people discussing this already.
I guess the difference the (most likely wrong) pundits are seeing, is that the Colts are known fast-starters and playoff-faders. Not taking anything away from your anomolous 2006, mind you, in which you managed to squeek by against the Pats. We're just dealing with two different animals here, and it's got to burn you up to see that the press is on to that.
The same team, minus AD, Stallworth, Welker, Moss, and Morris, ALMOST beat you guys out for the easy Super Bowl trip last year...
Now that team is loaded up with talent, and, oh yeah, almost forgot, has a chip on its shoulder and its back to the wall.
What you're seeing is the press incarnation of a league-wide "oh-ohhhhh."
And you have to admit, whenever the Colts started sniffing 16-0, you and everybody else in Indy knew deep in your hearts it wouldn't become that 19-0 you so craved, because the Pats stood in your way.
You guys are the champs, though, and I agree, it's unfair that the big red target is on the Pats, rather than the Colts. It's almost like you guys never won that big game last year, and that's not really fair.
Regardless, it will be the best circumstance for both teams to go into our regular season "showdown" undefeated. It'll be the game of the year, to that point, prior to the one that really matters.
Pity your boys won't be there for that one.
PFnV