2011 NFL Preseason: Colts 17 - Bengals 13

Well, would you look at that.

THE COLTS WON A PRESEASON GAME!!!

Break out the champagne, the hookers, and the coke. It's time to get crazy, because you know that when the Colts actually win a preseason game, it's something akin to the seventh seal being opened.

In all seriousness, the fourth and final preseason game is pretty much the most useless exhibition game there is. As all of you know, I was (and still am) a big opponent of an 18-game season. I also am one of the schmucks who thinks preseason is a good thing. Yeah, it sucks that people with season tickets have to pay full price for those preseason games, but no one is sticking a gun to the heads of those people are forcing them to buy these season tickets.

But, if the NFL had removed the fourth and final preseason game with the new CBA, I wouldn't have shed a tear.

Despite how utterly useless the game was, I did come away with an overall positive vibe about the team, especially when you tie it to their performance last week against the Green Bay Packers. Some general notes after the jump.

• Right off the bat, Jerry Hughes got a tackle on special teams. Yay.
• I honestly don't understand why AP had a game recap title 'Collins can't spark Colts, underscores QB concerns.' I thought Collins played very well. His starting WRs were Taj Smith, Chris Brooks, and David Gilreath. If any one of these guys makes the 53-man roster, it's a miracle. Yet, despite scrubs for WRs, Collins made a great throw on his first snap of the game to Gilreath for 45 yards. Taylor Mays, who many Colts fans wanting Chris Polian to trade for, got beat deep and had to interfere with Gilreath to breakup the pass. Flag was thrown. It was an excellent throw by Collins. Dude still has a gun for an arm.
• On second-and-goal, Anthony Castonzo got beat one-on-one against the Bengals Michael Johnson.
• On Collins second series, he made a great rifle throw over the middle to Taj Smith for a first down. The play was made on 3rd-and-14.
  
• Castonzo couldn't block Johnson at all last night. Johnson beat him again on a 3rd-and-10, forcing a fumble from Kerry Collins. Bengals recovered the ball.
• I found it interesting that Jerry Hughes did not start the game. Jamaal Anderson and Tyler Brayton did at DE.
• Colts linebackers are simply dreadful at stopping fullbacks. Doesn't matter who it is. Seriously, if the linebacker can't block up the fullback and stop a running play, that linebacker is a BAD linebacker. Right now, the Colts have great speed and range, but when it comes to taking on blockers, they just aren't physical enough.
• Kevin Thomas and Chris Rucker have improved each preseason game. impressive showing last night from Thomas (9 tackles, 1 INT).
• Against scrub o-linemen, Jerry Hughes got a sack. Yay.
• Taj Smith made great plays all night.
• Dan Orlovsky, just like Tom Brandstater last year, has outplayed Curtis Painter. Orlovsky played well last night, going 10-18 for 178 yards and 1 TD. If the Colts keep Curtis Painter, its either a pride move by the Polians, or it's a move to placate Peyton Manning. Pinter is one of Peyton's best friends on the team.

I'll have my final guess at the 53-man roster later today. For now, comment away on the final preseason game of 2011 for the Indianapolis Colts.