INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -The Indianapolis Colts, one of just two unbeaten teams remaining in the NFL, have control of their division and appeared to fill their biggest hole on defense with a rare midseason trade.
Unlike last season, it's gone mostly unnoticed.
With the Chicago Bears moving into the spotlight, the Colts like it right where they seem to be.
``Everyone's talking about the Bears,'' defensive tackle Montae Reagor said. ``We like being under the radar. Hey, we're 5-0 and we've not played our best ball yet.''
Sure, there is plenty to criticize.
The Colts' run defense has allowed a league-worst 166.8 yards per game, they barely avoided losing to winless Tennessee at home, and two-time MVP Peyton Manning has been forced to win the last three games with late touchdown drives.
Although the script's not perfect, another home victory Sunday against Washington (2-4), would give the Colts the same record as the idle Bears and become the ninth team in NFL history with back-to-back 6-0 starts.
``People aren't as high on us because we've not been blowing people out,'' cornerback Nick Harper said. ``I don't mind, though. We know what we're capable of doing, and if people don't want to recognize what we do, that's fine.''
A year ago, all the attention was on the Colts.
Their vaunted offense was scoring points about as fast as cars speed around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a few miles from the RCA Dome, and their maligned defense had shown dramatic improvement.
Indianapolis used the combination to produce a series of blowouts that prompted much debate whether it could become the first team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to finish undefeated.
The quest ended in Week 14 and only after the almost-daily media blitz had taken its toll on the Colts. They also lost in their first playoff game to eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh.
This year, coaches, players and observers have focused more on the Colts' flaws than their third 5-0 start in four years, and in some ways, the scenario may be more to coach Tony Dungy's liking.
``It's hard to win games in the NFL, so you don't want to take it for granted,'' Dungy said before last week's bye. ``But we know we've got to play better. That's what it's about.''
The significance of Tuesday's trade for 300-pound defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, who was criticized in Tampa Bay for underachieving, barely registered on the national stage.
But McFarland could hold the key to the Colts' Super Bowl puzzle.
The Colts know they can score points - as long as they get the ball. Adding McFarland, who is accustomed to taking on two blockers, should help.
Plugging the middle should allow the team's linebackers to use speed to their advantage. The hope is that opponents' rushing numbers will then decrease, giving Manning more chances to score. And if the Colts start building leads, then opponents will be forced to confront Indy's defensive strength - the pass rush - by throwing.
The other part of the equation is getting Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders back. He has missed the last three games after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He's listed as questionable this week but has been running.
Perhaps that would put the Colts back in the spotlight, even if Dungy would prefer spending a little more time in the shadow of his close friend, Bears coach Lovie Smith.
``I'm kind of glad it's not us, this year,'' Dungy said. ``I'll let Lovie handle that and they seem to be doing a pretty good job of handling it. We weren't focused on 16-0 last year, and that's not what we're about.''
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