Believe it or not, Colts have some worries too
When the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts get together Sunday night before a national television audience, two story lines will dominate the discussion:
The rematch of Super Bowl XLI when the Colts knocked off the Bears 29-17 on a rainy night in Miami, and the official debut the $720-million Lucas Oil Stadium, which sits one block south of the RCA Dome, where the Colts have played since 1984.
Those two talking points aside, the Colts will be looking for a few answers to some more intriguing questions about their team, everything from the inexperience on the offensive line and the effectiveness of their star quarterback to the success of their kicking game. Here's a quick scouting report of the key concerns in Colts country:
Adman returns from surgery: Colts quarterback Peyton Manning didn't take a single snap during preseason after having surgery on July 14 to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee. Manning's first full practice with the team was Aug. 26, but he's expected to make his 161st consecutive start against the Bears. Everyone knows that, but no one knows for sure how quickly Manning can shake off the rust and return to form.
Weak up the middle: Manning will take snaps from an unfamiliar center against the Bears because 10-year veteran Jeff Saturday is out with a right knee injury. A rookie, either Jamey Richard or Steve Justice, will take his place. All of the starters on Indianapolis' offensive line have been in the league three years or less, with the exception of right tackle Ryan Diem. The former Northern Illinois and Glenbard North star is beginning his ninth season with the Colts.
Colts on offense: The line is young, but Indianapolis feels it has more than enough offensive weapons to keep the scoreboard moving. Everything starts with Manning, but the offense also relies on running backs Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes, tight end Dallas Clark, along with receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.
Harrison is a legend, but he missed 11 games last year with a left knee injury, then had surgery on his right knee during the offseason. He also turned 36 last month. The Colts' leading rusher during preseason was rookie Mike Hart from Michigan.
Colts on defense: The two renowned defensive stars are also returning from injuries. Safety Bob Sanders, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year, had offseason surgery on his right shoulder and didn't play much during preseason. Lineman Dwight Freeney missed eight games last season with a foot injury.
Many unhappy returns: Everyone remembers how the Colts surrendered the only opening kickoff return for a touchdown in Super Bowl history when Devin Hester sprinted 92 yards for the Bears. But kick coverage is a long-term problem in Indianapolis, where the Colts have given up a league-worst eight returns for touchdowns since 2006. Last season, Indy ranked 29th out of 32 teams in kickoff coverage.
Quote to note: "It's like trying to say, 'Hey, I'm going to go fight Muhammad Ali in his prime,' " Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri said this week about the potential of kicking to Hester. "It's a scary thing to do.
"Out of an ego thing, I hate breaking your sword and kicking away or squib kicking and doing that stuff. I hate that. But there are definitely times when that's the smart thing to do."
Quick off the blocks: Since 2002, Indianapolis is 18-2 in September, including 12 straight wins. The past three years, the Colts have started the year 7-0, 9-0 and 13-0. Goalposts out of range: Vinatieri is among the all-time NFL leaders in accuracy, but he didn't make a field goal beyond 40 yards all last season (0 for 3).
Cool breeze potential: Not only does Lucas Oil Stadium have a retractable roof, it also boasts the league's only retractable window behind the north end zone. The building is scheduled to host the men's Final Four in 2010 and Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.