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INDIANAPOLIS -- Finally, a win for the Indianapolis Colts. After losing close games to Detroit and Denver to open the season, the Colts found a way to pull out a victory against San Diego in Week 3. It wasn't all that pretty or artistic, but Indianapolis did what it had to do in order to secure its first win of the season.
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And with a short week to prepare for Sunday's road trip London and a matchup against AFC South rival Jacksonville, head coach Chuck Pagano and company are just glad to get a win on the books.
"There's nothing like winning, it's just what the doctor ordered," Pagano admitted after the Chargers game.
"It was a great win, great team win. We got contributions from all three phases. We talked about energy and effort and I thought it was outstanding. We talked about a fast start and we got off to a fast start. We talked about finishing. Two ball games that we lost we didn't finish and we found a way to finish this one."
How big a win was it?
"Huge. It's huge. Doomsday, soon thereafter. It isn't but it is," the Colts coach said about the difference between facing the Jaguars with a 1-2 record as compared to being 0-3.
"This team needed this. We faced adversity (Sunday) and found a way to win. We didn't do that in Weeks 1 and 2. These guys busted their tails and (did) exactly what we ask them to do day after day. They stick to the process and keep practicing and keep grinding. Eventually, if you keep swinging the axe, the tree is going to fall. A much, much needed win."
So now it's on to Jacksonville and all the logistical issues that playing a game in London will entail. The Colts did not practice Monday but will have workouts Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Indianapolis will leave for its overseas trip after Thursday's practice.
"It's a challenge. There has been a ton of work that has gone into this a year in advance. We started talking about this a long time ago, as soon as the schedule came out and we figured we were going, that is when we started planning it,' Pagano explained.
"It's very helpful to have (former Dolphins head coach) Joe Philbin and (ex-Miami strength coach) Darren Krein. Those guys have been over there a couple times. We've got people that have experienced it and can give you the pluses and minuses and a lot of ideas on the practice week, the practice schedule, when to leave, what time to leave, boarding the plane, sleeping on the way over, staying up once you get over there to get your body clock adjusted to that time zone. All those types of things. It's a challenge and an undertaking."
The Colts will be treating the London trip like a Thursday night game.
"All of our departments have been over there a couple times and logistically found out hotels, buses, the trip to Wembley (Stadium). All that stuff. It's an undertaking obviously and it's going to be a short turnaround for us," the Indianapolis coach said.
"It's like playing a Thursday game for us even though we have a week and we are playing on a Sunday. A week goes fast. We will come in Tuesday and that will be like a Wednesday and then the next thing you know we will be on a plane. It's going to be a heck of a challenge."
