Indianapolis Colts

After winning 13 games and another division title last year, the Indianapolis Colts have now won five straight AFC South crowns and have posted five straight seasons of at least 12 wins, making Indianapolis a perennially short price in the NFL odds.

Unfortunately, a home playoff loss to the San Diego Chargers last January put an end to Indy's hopes of a Super Bowl repeat. Injuries played a key part in the Colts’ abbreviated playoff stay, as DE Dwight Freeney watched from the sidelines, and WR Marvin Harrison and S Bob Sanders – the league's Defensive Player of the Year – were nowhere near 100%.

During the regular season, the Colts, led by machine-like Peyton Manning, ranked fifth in the league in total offense at 359 YPG, although just 18^th in rushing at 107 YPG, third in total defense at 280 YPG, 15^th vs. the run at 107 YPG, and second in total yardage at +79 per game. Indy also posted the second-best turnover ratio in the league at +18.

But being the defending Super Bowl champs, Indy was often over-rated by both the oddsmakers and the betting public. While going 9-7 vs. the NFL betting lines last year, the Colts won five games in which they couldn't cover the spread. And while their games averaged 45 total points, the O/U went 7-9.

Indianapolis did little in terms of personnel changes over the offseason, and returns this season basically intact. With a healthy Manning and Harrison, the Colts will again be potent on offense. RB Joseph Addai hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second straight year and scored 15 TDs last year. And WR Reggie Wayne led the league with over 1,500 receiving yards.

On the other side of the ball, a healthy Freeney (foot) and Sanders (shoulder), who are both coming back from surgery, will toughen up the defense. And the Colts are breaking in a new home field this year, Lucas Oil Stadium, which should provide some added excitement.

Indianapolis is still a serious contender to win another Super Bowl. But time may be running short for this particular group of Colts. Coach Tony Dungy won't be around too much longer, and Manning is now closer to the end of his career than the beginning. And while Indy has done a pretty good job of infusing youth onto the roster, several key veterans are beginning to show wear and tear. On top of that, Indy will play the second-toughest schedule in the league this year, with eight games vs. teams that made the playoffs last season.

The Colts are still the class of the South, but playing in a division with Jacksonville and Tennessee, they cannot afford a significant stumble.