The Colts look competitive weeklong inexperienced and synchronize the next.
The learning curve for a young team in the NFL can be very high.
A little over a month after the first season of a massive rebuilding project, the biggest battle of Indianapolis is getting everyone to play at the same level all the time.
"For me, it's more confidence in themselves and do their job,'' said center Samson Satele Wednesday." They are young guys, but playing well. It's just learning the process.''
Honestly, things are not so bleak in Indy (2-3) compared with 14.2 last year's debacle.
Andrew Luck is the first rookie in NFL with 1,200 passing yards up and winning two of their first four games, and is still on track for a rookie record. Reggie Wayne is sixth in the league in receptions and third in yards despite already had their bye week. Indy pass defense is ranked No. 3 in the NFL.
A win Sunday over Cleveland (1-5) not only put the Colts back in 500, but also surpass last season's total victory.
What has drawn attention, however, disparate actions Colts have had.
At home, luck is a solid 73 of 132 for 899 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. In two road games, is 45 of 89 for 589 yards with one touchdown, five interceptions and two lost fumbles - three of those turnovers in the loss coming last week beating the Jets 35-9.
That's not good enough, and the No. 1 draft pick knows.
"We are trying to find a consistent level of play well,'' Luck said.
The Colts are one 80-yard TD pass away from being 3-0 in the Lucas Oil Stadium, where they have outscored opponents 70-69. On the way, have been expelled twice - 41-21 in Chicago last week.
Indy defense limited their first two opponents, Chicago and Minnesota, for a combined total of 209 yards rushing. In the past three weeks, the Jaguars, Packers and Jets averaged 192.7 yards per game.
And these dramatic changes have appeared not only in different games, but also different halves and different series.
Initially, there were questions about Indy slow in the second half starts. Everything changed against Green Bay when the Colts put in a 21-3 halftime hole and then could hardly go wrong in the last 30 minutes as he recovered from a stunning 30-27 victory.
Part of the explanation may be evolving list.
"The challenge (for consistency) is the difference in the faces, the kids have to learn different jobs,'' said offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and interim coach." If we put the 11 guys who started out there, wouldn 't be a big challenge.''
Indy has certainly had its share of injuries, especially on defense.
Cornerback Vontae Davis has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Linebacker Pat Angerer has yet to play a down after breaking his right foot in the first preseason game. Defensive tackle Brandon McKinney tore his ACL in the preseason and went on season-ending injured reserve in August.
Pro Bowlers Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, now converted linebackers have been in the field with exactly two series this season. Freeney injured his ankle in the season opener and did not return until the Jets game. Mathis suffered a sprained left knee late in the game and even Packers travel to New York.
On Wednesday, the Colts added another new name, signing Lawrence Guy from the practice squad of the Packers.
Davis and Angerer are both listed as questionable this week with Mathis, who is recovering faster than anyone expected.
"Actually, it's supposed to be three or four weeks,'' Mathis said when asked about running the initial prognosis of two to three weeks." But do not take it too well when people say you can not be on the field.''
Mathis did not like to see the Jets game on tape, either.
While acknowledging the Arians make everyone on the same page for each game takes time, it's just the type of patient. The lifelong assistant 60-year-old, the NFL has repeatedly said he has no intention of spending years fixing the offense, he wants to win now - a line which has often been spoken by the likes of Freeney, Mathis and Wayne.
So instead of waiting to get it right, Indy is trying to find ways to soften the bumpy ride early season.
"It really comes down to the details and just doing his job,'' Mathis said." Whatever the coaches put forth, you have to do. If you are putting forth a game plan, you have to understand that in reality is for rent, you will win you know if you do this this weekend.''
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