2008 Woodie Awards
Colts Stay On Top, Others Struggle
Colts remain only undefeated team while other teams struggle to succeed.
Juan Bernal
Issue date: 10/21/05 Section: Sports
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You had from February to Sept. 11 to get your story straight on how your favorite football team would do this year, and now I'll update you on how you're doing.
Through six weeks there is only one undefeated team in the NFL: the Indianapolis Colts. Here's another surprise - they have a defense!
After ranking near the bottom of the NFL in almost every defensive category last season, they have been the talk of the league this season. Led by Dwight Freeney, the Colts rank first in points allowed, as well as other major defensive categories.
However, the Colts highly potent offense has been struggling a little bit, but Peyton Manning and company got on the ball with a Week 6 win over the St. Louis Rams, 45-28 on Monday Night.
The Rams were playing their first game without head coach Mike Martz who is in failing health. Joe Vitt, the long time assistant coach has assumed the reigns until Martz returns.
All of the Florida teams have been surprises. Starting with the NFC leading Tampa Bay, who, at 5-1, has impressed almost everyone in the NFL. After posting mediocre records two years removed from winning the Super Bowl, Coach Jon Gruden and running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams have made the Bucs into a bonafide NFC contender.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, who have played the second toughest schedule in the league thus far, are arguably the AFC's most surprising team. With a record of 4-2 they have pulled out two gut-wrenching overtime wins over the New York Jets and Sunday's 23-17 over Pittsburgh. They are second in the AFC South behind the Colts.
The Dolphins behind new coach Nick Saban have surprised some people, being able to grind out 2 wins. But the Dolphins have been challenged with the league's toughest schedule. They have also been marred with a quarterback controversy, the suspension of running back Ricky Williams for violating the league's substance abuse policy and numerous personnel changes. In Williams' return in Week 6 vs. Tampa Bay, he rushed for 8 yards on 5 carries.