That was a hard fought game of football. I'm going to try not to bore everyone with stats on these post game posts. I do plan on making a post following every game. Hopefully a post with more than just "Boy that was neato!" A small summary, some key plays, some player talk. Whatever comes to mind!

TAKE THE POINTS

I am watching the Colts fight up and down the field on Sunday and having a lot of trouble on third downs. Which makes sense, because these are some longer third downs. Longer third downs than I have grown accustomed to because of the Colts hard play in the weeks past. And out comes Stover. And I think, "Yeah! Let's get on the board!"

And then he comes out again. And again. And then the "Madden Mentality" comes out. No, not where he comes out and I say, "Boy, if he makes this kick, it'll be a field goal. Boom! That's three points! " No I mean the Madden video games. If anyone has ever played people like me in that game... I am going on fourth down! Everytime! 4th and 20 on my 7 yard line... Wayne deep! I am going for it!

And sometimes it's good to just go for it! Convert a fourth down and get some wind in the sails of the offense. And I felt like it was what the Colts offense needed; a gutsy fourth down call and a big, game pivoting conversion. But time and time again, we called up Stover. And time and time again he delivered.

And it felt good every time he closed the gap a little further but I must sadly admit; I was a little frustrated. Who doesn't want to see the Colts come out and pass touchdowns up and down the field? I enjoy a good close game of football but I still find happiness in a good blowout. Or when the Colts just click and run away with a game. A little domination is never unwelcome!

But look at the outcome. A hard fought game with only one Colts touchdown. Not thrown by our quarterback! And I look at the way I acted and felt during that game and scold the old me! The smart play helped us stay in that game. It was good play calling and a smart game-winning strategy; Get more points than the other guy. (Now that's some real-life Madden Mentality!) Games don't have to look like a movie. We don't need to be heroic. We need to be realistic.

On a side note: Games don't have to look like movies... but how about Addai throwing a game winning touchdown!? Really!?

Smart football, boys! Thanks for keeping your wits! Take the points!

KEY TO WINNING

You can't win without scoring but I think it is obvious our defense was our key to winning. Yeah okay; That was a big run play Frank Gore ripped off on us. A 64 yard touchdown run is never a scoring play that sits well on your stomach. But the defensive stat Fox chose to highlight some 49ers offensive possessions after looked something like:

Gore's TD Run: 64 yards                               
19 Plays Following Gore TD Run: 59 yards

This lets me know they had one slip up that they took to heart and got back into playing some tough defense.

Speaking of tough defense; How about Rookie; Jerraud Powers? I have overall been impressed with the play of most of our rookies. And Powers was out there collapsing hard on the ball. It seemed to me that he wasn't just set on stopping the play but really wanted to let his presence be known. Looked to me that most every hit he put on meant business.

Offense really didn't play bad. I will talk about the Addai TD later. I am so used to seeing Peyton and the boys scoring at will that I sometimes forget what a good fought game looks like. Peyton threw a lot of passes but had decent numbers. When you see "347 yards" next to Peyton's name it is usually seen with "3 TDs" or "4 TDs." But he got us into field goal range and that's a good scoring position.

Our kicking was a close second for the key to winning. Special teams did well on both sides. Punts were high, long, and covered well. I wish we could have seen more of what Silva can do but the coverage was just too good. Not to mention the field goals that kept the game a game! Excellent work by the boys on Special Teams! Credit to Stover as well, with four in a row!

PLAY OF THE GAME

I know what you're thinking. 22 yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne from... Joseph Addai! Listen, that play was awesome! Addai threw an catchable pass and Wayne had a fantastic effort to bring it in with both feet down. When the Colts offense was having difficulty scoring, they found a way. It really says a lot about players on the team and the coaching and play calling. As awesome as that play was... it was not the play of the game to me.

The play of the game was the early fourth quarter sack from big Robert Mathis. The 49ers were pushing down the field and in field goal range. Smith went into shogun and the line pushed and out came #98 bringing him down for an 8 yard loss. Though they would not score again later in the game, this sack took them out of field goal range. A field goal which, if it were successful, would have made the game 18-17. Who knows how this would have changed the game? Could have been just enough to get some confidence to the 49ers. This score means they don't have to score a touchdown to win late in the fourth. Just get in range again and kick one to win by 2 points.

So, that's what I saw watching the Colts on Sunday. It may have been more detailed if it wasn't Monday and I wasn't sick! But there it is! Good job boys! 7 and 0, baby! Keep it going!