[Colts @ Bears - My "honest" thoughts]

But the team was still out there working and competing and they did score. 21-24 points should be enough to win some games. That is all I'm saying. I take it as a positive.

Very true. It is encouraging that they never stopped trying. If they play the same way next week, they can definitely beat the Vikings. I don't see the Vikings scoring very many points against the Colts.

[Colts @ Bears - My "honest" thoughts]

Just looking at some numbers. Luck and the offense already scored enough points to win games and that was against a good Bear defense. Scored 21 - should have been 24. The next number is turnovers. If we cut down on turnovers that can extend drives, maybe mean a few more points (24 to 27 points?) and maybe eliminate a couple of possessions for the opposing team with our offense burning up more time on the field.

Even without revamping the o-line this team has the ability to compete.

Now we need the defense to get off the field!

Actually the Colts scored 2 offensive TDs - the last one well after the game was settled. While the game was still "up for grabs" the Colts got 7 offensive points.

[If Peyton Is A No Go For The First Game...]

I'll take your word for it but I don't remember anyone considering Painter a 1st Round pick. All I know is Purdue benched him to play Justin Siller and Joey Elliot. I also would like to see what his Efficiency Rating was against some of the Sisters of the Poor that Purdue plays (I know everyone plays them). I seem to recall Painter putting up huge numbers against very bad competition. Obviously he doesn't appear to be anything close to a NFL-caliber backup QB.