Irsay: Colts can still go to 'places we dreamed of going'

Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano told his team "either put up or shut up" prior to Sunday's clash with the Denver Broncos.

The Colts put up.

Andrew Luck and the Colts' offense under Rob Chudzinski came to life, including an uber impressive six-minute drive to salt away a 27-24 win without giving Peyton Manning the ball back.

The Colts compiled 365 total yards (245 passing, 120 rushing), the most Denver's No. 1 rated defense has given up this season. Indy's 27 first downs were the most the Broncos have allowed and the one sack is the fewest in a game for Wade Phillips' defense.

"We feel we've competed with the best football teams in the league," owner Jim Irsay said after the win, via the Indy Star. "We're right there. We still feel we can go the places we dreamed of going."

The win keeps the Colts in control of the woeful AFC South. As we've seen in the past -- i.e. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens -- a team can get hot in the playoffs and make a run.

"We're about to take off," receiver Donte Moncrief said. "It's time to show the world what we can do."

No one doubts that the Colts can make the playoffs. Ultimately getting past a juggernaut Patriots team, which has been the Colts' bugaboo, is another matter.