Magnificent Seven XV (part one): On Indianapolis Colts CB Jerraud Powers and WR Anthony Gonzalez

Indianapolis Colts CB Jerraud Powers
Paul Sancya/AP Photo

Each week on Examiner.com, Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser offers seven thoughts on all things Indianapolis Colts. Without further delay, the Magnificent Seven for Week 11 of the 2009 regular season, in which the Colts (9-0) will visit the Baltimore Ravens (5-4) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. . . .

THIS IS PART ONE OF MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. PART TWO. HERE

7. Building confidence. The most significant thing about this entry about Colts CB Jerraud Powers gaining confidence is he wasn't exactly a guy in need of a boost in that area anyway. But consider that in the last two weeks, Powers has played not only Texans WR Andre Johnson, but the Patriots with WR Randy Moss and QB Tom Brady. The Colts didn't exactly shut the Patriots' passing game down, but late in the game, it was Powers who had the positioning and confidence to nearly intercept Brady on 3rd-and-2. "That gives you a lot of confidence," Powers said. "Halfway through the season, I've faced [Cardinals WR] Anquan [Boldin], [Cardinals WR] Larry [Fitzgerald], [Jaguars WR] Torry [Holt], Randy, [Patriots WR Wes] Welker -- all of those guys," Powers said. "Each week, it's another tough test. Derrick Mason, I've got him this week and it's going to be another tough test. He's a great receiver who has earned his stripes in the league. I get confidence from each game. I try to find little things that were positive from each game. That's how I take it. Last week was a tough test. This week is going to be another tough test. He brings something to the table that Randy didn't bring. It will be another tough one." Powers has been described by Colts President Bill Polian and Head Coach Jim Caldwell as being mature beyond his age, and there's little question that's true. Now, he has seen the best the NFL has to offer, and he has shown so far this season he's not just a guy with confidence, but one who can use the experience to keep improving.

6. Not No. 1. Never got around to posting a list of the era's best Colts comebacks in the wake of a 35-34, fourth-quarter, come-from-behind victory over New England Sunday. Here's a quick list: 6, Minnesota (2008); 5, San Diego (2004); 4, New England (2009); 3, Houston (2008); 2, Tampa Bay (2003); 1, New England (2006 AFC Championship Game). Minnesota was the game last season in which the Colts rallied from 15-0 down midway through the third quarter to win 18-15. San Diego 2004, while known as the game in which Colts QB Peyton Manning threw his then-NFL season record 49th touchdown, also was a game in which Indianapolis trailed by 15 points before rallying to win in overtimes, 37-34. Why is this year's Patriots game so low? While more high-profile than the Houston 2008 game, it was nowhere near as improbable as a game in which the Colts needed two fumbles to rally from 17 points down in the final four minutes to win 31-27. It also wasn't as improbable as the 2003 Buccaneers game, in which the Colts trailed by 21 points with less than four minutes remaining to win in overtime, 38-35. And as for the No. 1 game on the list, the 38-34 victory over the Patriots 2006 AFC Championship Game, it's going to take something more than anything in the regular season to ever match an 18-point rally that was the most memorable game in the history of the RCA Dome.

5. Relentless. Polian said this week on his radio show the Colts' defense played well Sunday against New England -- something he said might sound funny considering it allowed 34 points. And while it indeed might sound funny, he was right. That was particularly true of DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis -- and particularly, particularly true of Mathis. There are different sorts of games in the NFL. Some games, players play impressively start to finish and put up big-time starts. But in the most games that matter -- the biggest ones, the ones that get remembered for years, the ones that shape seasons -- often players have to play all out for the entire game before winning the key matchup, or gaining just enough of an edge to make the play that matters. Such was the case for Mathis on Sunday. He got good pressure a lot on Sunday, then playing against an offensive line that perennially is one of the best, he got consistent meaningful pressure late, harassing Brady just enough to rush him just enough to force short throws and incompletions that were big reasons Indianapolis was able to get New England's offense off the field late.

4. Missing Gonzalez. Don't get this entry wrong. WRs Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie each made clutch plays late Sunday, but they also made enough errors early against New England that it became even more apparent the Colts miss WR Anthony Gonzalez. Remember when Gonzalez was injured in Week 1? Manning spoke extensively of how much he would be missed, and while it took a while to see why, lately it has been evident. At times this season, Garcon has shown he has as much as or more big-play, gamebreaking speed and ability than Gonzalez. At other times, Collie has shown he can make the tough catch across the middle the way Gonzalez does. But as a third-year veteran, the Colts expected Gonzalez to do those things on a consistent basis and he had shown serious signs last season of being able to do just that. It's still unknown how much longer Gonzalez will be out. He originally was projected to miss 2-8 weeks and there has yet to be a timetable on his return. How soon -- and if - he returns will be a key storyline as the postseason approaches. The Colts have shown they can win without him, but they've also shown they need him and his presence could be critical in the coming months.

PART TWO HERE

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COLTS FANS OWE RB JOSEPH ADDAI AN APOLOGY. HERE

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*** CATCH UP WITH ALL THINGS COLTS ON INDY FOOTBALL REPORT. HERE

REVIEWING BILL POLIAN'S WEEKLY RADIO SHOW

Bill Polian’s weekly radio show | Part One | “If we run this way . . . we’ll be perfectly fine”

Bill Polian’s weekly radio show | Part Two | Defense executed when it mattered against Patriots

Bill Polian’s weekly radio show | Part Three | Victory over New England garantees nothing

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