Are the Colts Now Super Bowl Favorites?

Columnist Justin Cohn of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette believes the Colts' victory over the Chargers proves they are a surprise top contender to make a playoff run this year. He makes the case in his column here.

At 7-4, they look downright scary.

Look at who the Colts defeated in this streak: their biggest rivals, the New England Patriots, the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers, the feisty Houston Texans and the Chargers.

The Colts still have problems. Their defense is porous and they continue to be hindered by injuries, like the one to the knee of star safety Bob Sanders.

But considering the Colts’ weak schedule the rest of the way, they should have plenty of time to work out the kinks and maybe even rest some players who need to get healthy.

New Convention Chief Says Super Bowl will be a Testament to What City Has Become

The IBJ this week has an interesting conversation with Don Welsh, the new CEO of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. Welsh, 52, left Seattle to take over for Bob Bedell in August. He's making aggressive moves to steal big conventions from other cities and to spread the word about Indy's great transformation over the last several years. Read the full conversation here. Here's what he had to say about the impact of the 2012 Super Bowl:

I think the Super Bowl in 2012 will serve as a catalyst for people to say, "Wow, I never knew Indianapolis had that much to offer." I think the NFL has been so cautious of where they hold their event, as is the NCAA, I think that will be a testament to what this city has become.

Sports Betting Site Loves the Colts

A web site that covers NFL and other sports betting makes a strong case for the Indianapolis Colts not only to beat the Houston Texans this weekend, but to make the playoffs and possibly more. The site, BetUs.com, says the team's recent wins against New England and Pittsburgh make it a top contender despite a rocky start to the season. Here's what they say:

Speaking of the Colts, can online betting fans think of a team that’s starting to heat up more than these guys? I mean, they beat the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers in back to back weeks. That’s pretty amazing considering. I know that I can’t think of any other team. The Colts are starting to play the sort of offense that made them Super Bowl winners in 2006 – 2007 and Super Bowl contenders last season. Their defense is playing better as well. Watch out for the Colts.

You can check out their full take here.

Irsay Says Los Angeles Could Host 2016 Super Bowl Even Without Its Own Team

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay raised the possibility that Los Angeles could host the Super Bowl in 2016, despite having gone without a team since 1995. Irsay has a home in the area and serves on the NFL's Super Bowl Committee. He discussed the possibility in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, a member of the league's Super Bowl committee, raised the possibility of L.A. playing host to that landmark game.

"In L.A., it's there for the taking," Irsay, who spends a lot of time here and is a member of Riviera Country Club, said in a telephone interview.

"People there are going to have to make it happen, make it work. But I know right now people are ready to put their time and effort into making this work."

There is a historical reason for staging that game in L.A. The first Super Bowl, pitting Kansas City and Green Bay, was played at the Coliseum in January 1967. In the years that followed, one more Super Bowl was played at the Coliseum, and five were played at the Rose Bowl.

The full story is here.