5 facts

Peyton Manning has started 192 consecutive regular-season games at quarterback, the second-longest streak in the NFL behind Brett Favre’s 285. In that time, the Colts have had 38 other quarterbacks fail to knock him from the starting job. Excluding Green Bay, which has only had Favre and Aaron Rodgers start games, every other NFL team has had at least four starting quarterbacks during Manning’s tenure. Chicago has had a whopping 16.

Defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis combined for 23 sacks last season. Freeney had a career-best 13 1/2 , while starting only nine games. The Colts’ opponents had only 13 all season. The total by Freeney and Mathis bested Kansas City’s and Jacksonville’s season totals, and those teams had last-place schedules.

Reggie Wayne has been the model of consistency for the Colts. The wide receiver has started every game since 2003. He has had at least one catch in every game over the last four seasons, having fewer than three catches in only three of those games. Last season, he had 100 receptions for 1,264 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Bob Sanders has missed 37 of the last 64 regular-season games because of injuries. But in those 37 games, he’s had eight pass deflections, five interceptions, 3 1/2 sacks, averaged 4.6 solo tackles per game, and collected one NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

Dallas Clark’s statistical development over the last three years has been striking. The tight end had 58 receptions for 616 yards, a 10.6 average and 11 touchdowns in 2007. In 2008, he had 77 receptions for 848 yards, an average of 11.0 and six touchdowns. Last season, he had 100 receptions for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns.

4 games of interest

Sept. 19 vs. New York Giants: The so-called Manning Bowl will pit Peyton vs. Eli for only the second time. In their last meeting in 2006, Indianapolis won 26-21.

Oct. 17 at Washington: The Colts have a knack for being porous against the run, and new Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has a knack for exploiting run defenses. And the Redskins have Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson to do so.

Nov. 21 at New England: The NFL’s greatest rivalry had one of its greatest chapters last season, when Bill Belichick gambled and lost on fourth-and-2 with just more than two minutes remaining. That set up a game-winning touchdown pass from Manning to Wayne, improving the Colts to 5-1 over the Patriots in the last six games.

Dec. 5 vs. Dallas: The Cowboys went 11-5 last season and wil put pressure on Manning. Linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer, a Fort Wayne native, combined for 17 sacks.

3 players under pressure

Joseph Addai was improved last season – he had 828 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, plus 51 receptions for 336 yards and three touchdowns – but second-year player Donald Brown will factor more prominently into the offense if Addai stumbles.

Anthony Gonzalez, who has 94 career receptions for 1,240 yards and seven touchdowns, wasn’t missed much last season, when he had a knee injury and Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie shined. As a slot receiver, Gonzalez could still find a place on the field in his fourth year.

Kyle DeVan was a steady starter at right guard the final nine games last season, but he had to battle to win the job during training camp this year. He must be more than a stopgap now; he must be a force.

2 points of concern

Rushing the ball hasn’t been the Colts’ strength over the last two years. They ranked 31st with 79.6 yards per game in 2008 and were last in 2009 with 80.9 yards per game. Some would say that’s because the passing game has been so good. Others would say the passing game has been productive by necessity. No matter how you cut it, when the game’s on the line, the Colts need to prove they can run it.

Offensive line

play is taken for granted in Indianapolis, where quarterbacks were sacked only 13 times last season, fewest in the NFL. But center Jeff Saturday (knee) is injured, left tackle Charlie Johnson is banged up, and the Colts have to replace left guard Ryan Lilja.

1 major issue

Assistant coaches don’t often get their due, but Tom Moore and Howard Mudd were arguably the best in the business. Moore was the offensive coordinator and, while he remains on staff, has turned over play-calling duties to Clyde Christensen. Mudd retired as the offensive line coach and was replaced by Pete Metzelaars. If there is a drop-off on offense, Christensen and Metzelaars could be to blame, even if most fans couldn’t pick them out of a lineup.

jcohn@jg.net