A SHORTAGE OF HORSES

Remember the Colts, that plucky bunch who came within a whisker
of a Super Bowl appearance last season and this year burst out
to a 4-0 start? What ever happened to them?

In a word: injuries. Indy has lost more than just six of its
last nine outings--it has also lost 26 players for a total of 68
games. And for all the battering that quarterback Jim Harbaugh
(right) has endured, it's the defense that has been most
ravaged; only safety Jason Belser has started every game. Here's
how badly the Colts stumbled in the eight weeks before Sunday's
13-10 win over Buffalo.

--J.W.

COLOR PHOTO: DAMIAN STROHMEYER [Jim Harbaugh in game]

NFL Rank NFL Rank
Games After Games After
1-4 4 Games 5-12 12 Games

Record 4-0 2-6
Completion % 69.2 1 52.3 19
Rushing Offense 103.5 ypg 18 84.3 ypg 26
Rushing Defense 73.0 ypg 1 123.9 ypg 15
Total Defense 288.5 ypg 9 351.8 ypg 19
Points Allowed 12.5 ppg 3 26.8 ppg 20