Charging Colts could set up Manning vs. Manning

That leaves the Jets and Colts, and, frankly, I'll take either. The Jets are the hot topic now, and for good reason: They just went into Buffalo, New England and Tennessee and won in three of the past four weeks. Plus, they have Brett Favre throwing passes and Thomas Jones and Leon Washington running over, around and through opponents.

But with all the attention given to the Jets, Indianapolis has gotten lost -- and I'd be careful here. The Colts are picking up momentum, and one thing we know about this league is that this is the time of year to pay attention to accelerating clubs.

The Jets are one of them. But so are the Colts. And they have Peyton Manning playing his best football of the season. Over his past four games he has completed 65 percent of his passes for nine touchdowns and one interception, and, no, it's no coincidence Indianapolis won all four.

Manning is hitting his stride after a rocky start, and so are his teammates. They just lost center Jeff Saturday for three to four weeks, but that means he will return for the playoffs. So will safety Bob Sanders, last year's Defensive Player of the Year. Sanders has been bothered by a sore knee, but, given the schedule, he can -- and should -- take his time recovering and rejoin his teammates for the playoff drive.

Hmmm, that reminds me of an Indianapolis team two years ago. That club couldn't stop the run down the stretch until Sanders returned to the lineup. Then the Colts ran the table in the playoffs, knocking off Chicago in Super Bowl XLI.

That was the first Super Bowl victory for a Manning. Last year was the second. Maybe this season is the third -- with one beating the other. Don't laugh. It could happen.