Colts can do no right as of late

As a Colts fan, myself and the many others like me have been spoiled over the last few years. Our Colts have been the cream of the crop in the NFL, winning 12 games a season for the last seven years. But of course all good things must come to an end. The Colts are 6-6 this year so far and must win all their remaining games to take a playoff spot. Peyton Manning is going through the toughest stretch of his career, throwing 11 interceptions over the past three game, all of which have been losses. As a writer for the Mount Vernon Democrat, I have been able to write several columns on the Colts in the past, whether it be good times or bad and I have enjoyed bringing you my opinion. My job has also afforded me the luxury of covering a game before, as I was in attendance for the second meeting of the Mannings earlier this season. I will once again be in attendance tomorrow night as Peyton and the Colts look to right the ship and get a division win against the rival Tennessee Titans. I have been thinking about this season and the disgust that many fans have had in them over the past few games, and it is understandable. But think back when the Colts were a team pre-Manning. The years when the team was 1-15, 3-13, back then an 8-8 team would have been a huge success. Thinking back like that makes me think of my favorite Colts season, and no it wasn't the Super Bowl season. In 1995, I had no clue that the Colts and then quarterback Jim Harbaugh would make the run they did. The Colts went through the season and made the playoffs. The first game would be on the road at San Diego, the defending AFC Champions. The Colts and "Captain Comeback" Harbaugh went on the road and beat the Chargers. Impressive, but they had no chance at beating the Kansas City Chiefs the next week. While driving through snow back from Terre Haute, I tuned the radio in my cold Cutlass Supreme to the game. I listened to the Colts play hard and give all they had to the Chiefs. As I drove and listened I forgot about the snow and was completely into the game (do not try that at home). The Colts won and I was excited, then I realized I was driving a rear wheel drive car in snow and remembered to be terrified again. But the next week I would be at home to watch the Colts face the Steelers for the AFC Championship. At this point it seemed possible, the Colts could make it to the Super Bowl. In what is still one of the most exciting games I have ever watched, the Colts came a Hail Mary dropped short of the big game. So after the struggles this season, it makes you think that sometimes you have to go through the bad times to appreciate the good ones.