What a difference a week can make. In two weeks, the Indianapolis sports headlines could not have been more different. In their first game, the Colts traveled to Houston to take on the Texans. A few experts predicted the Texans would win, but the general consensus was that as long as Peyton Manning played for Indianapolis, the Colts’ dominance over the Texans would continue. And who could argue with that logic?

Players that are as talented as Manning keep their team in the game. It can even seem as if their team can overcome any deficit in points. There is simply no one better in the game right now who can rally his team to score a comeback touchdown late in the fourth quarter than Peyton Manning.

That’s why Colts fans were shocked as they watched the Texans dismantle their team in the first game of the season. Houston had an unbelievable day, and they were determined to beat their division rival in their first game.

This game’s outcome did not simply come from a mistake that Manning made or a missed opportunity that Indianapolis had, even though they had their fair share of mistakes and missed opportunities. This game’s outcome came down to one thing: defense.

Houston’s starting running back Arian Foster ran for an astonishing 231 yards and three touchdowns. Those stats alone tell the story of why the Colts lost.

Their next game featured a showdown between two brothers. Peyton and Eli Manning would be taking snaps and playing against each other.

Questions rose about Indianapolis’ ability to bounce back after their loss to the Texans.

Those questions were answered by halftime against the Giants.

The Colts led the Giants 24-0 at halftime. Eli Manning had only 17 yards passing in the first half. This time, the Colts defense stepped up and made several plays against the Giants offense.

The Colts are now 1-1 and will head to Denver to take on the Broncos. What will it take for Indianapolis to get the win and to continue that trend this season? The same factor that made a difference in both of the Colts’ games: defense.

Talking from an opposing team perspective, keeping a playmaker like Peyton Manning off the field is crucial to a team’s success.

In order to keep Manning on the sideline, offenses are going to try to run the football. If the offense succeeds then not only do they get closer to scoring points for themselves, but they also take time off the clock.

In doing so, they keep the ball away from Manning and limit Indianapolis’s opportunities on offense.

As if those two advantages weren’t enough, they can also tire out Indianapolis’ defense by constantly running the football and playing physical football.

If the Colts want to have another successful season, they must find a way to stop the run. They did a better job against the Giants, but they will play against better running games in the future.

If they are not able to stop the run this season, opposing teams will keep Peyton Manning on the bench and their offense on the field, resulting in a time-consuming drive that ends with a touchdown.

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