On the road...to where?

These next two weeks will go a long way toward revealing the personality and power of the Colts. Back-to-back games at Denver and New England should determine the AFC's balance of power at mid-season, too.

The Broncos are riding a 13-game home winning streak and have a defense that rivals the Bears as the staunchest in the NFL. Only one team -- St. Louis, in an 18-10 opening-day win -- has been able to score in double figures against Denver. Granted, the Broncos haven't faced an offense of Indy's potency. The Colts, led by quarterback Peyton Manning and the dynamic wide-receiver duo of Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne (above, left), are making sure to let everyone know they're suitably impressed by Denver.

"Just the fact they're keeping teams out of the end zone -- that's the one that kind of jumps out at me," Manning said. "All the other passing and rushing statistics are impressive, but when you're keeping teams out of the end zone, you're probably winning a lot of football games. That's what they're doing."

The Colts' defense will be making adjustments again after the loss of Mike Doss and the now-extended absence of Montae Reagor. If all goes right, safety Bob Sanders will be back in the lineup this week, and that could be a real energy boost. Playing in rabid Denver, they're going to need it.