Could early difficulties add up to late success for Colts?

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Found this in the mailbag from Matt in Boulder:

Paul, count me among those that think this is good for the Colts. Too often they started fast and faded in the playoffs. Hopefully no devastating injuries and those that are injured get back and this team could be rolling at the end of the year. What do you think?
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Paul Kuharsky: I hadn't thought of it that way, and if it came from Peyton Manning or Tony Dungy it would feel like spin.

But you may be onto something.

Two of the last three flawless Septembers/Octobers have been followed up with first-game playoff losses. Maybe a tougher time early will translate to better things later. Of course that other perfect fall did lead up to a fantastic playoff run and the Super Bowl title two years ago.

But in that 2006 title season, the Colts had to play hard at the end of the regular season to fight for a bye they didn't get. In 2005 and 2007 they were in position to ease up in the end and showed they don't necessarily handle rest well.


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