National Football League

Colts have their coach's back

Published Jan. 16, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

Tin Men they’re not.

There was no sign of rust on the Indianapolis Colts. But there was plenty of heart on display in Saturday night’s 20-3 playoff victory over visiting Baltimore.

Indianapolis showcased a dominant defense, efficient offense and the kind of hustle that answered any questions about whether the Colts would be sluggish coming off a first-round bye and lackluster end to the regular season. The effort was reflected on a third-quarter play that effectively doomed any chance of a Ravens comeback.

Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon — a Haitian-American thrust into the national media spotlight because of the devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince — sprinted about 40 yards downfield to punch the football out of Baltimore safety Ed Reed’s hands during an interception return.

The Colts recovered. The Ravens never did.

“He took a touchdown away from me,” said Garcon, the intended target on the play. “I had to get it back.”

The Colts (15-2) had to regain the momentum lost in mid-December. That was when coach Jim Caldwell crushed his team’s chances for a perfect season by yanking starters during a Week 16 loss to the New York Jets. He played reserves again the following week in a loss at Buffalo.