Colts have their coach's back

Tin Men they’re not.

There was no sign of rust on the Indianapolis Colts. But there was plenty of heart on display in Saturday night’s 20-3 playoff victory over visiting Baltimore.

Indianapolis showcased a dominant defense, efficient offense and the kind of hustle that answered any questions about whether the Colts would be sluggish coming off a first-round bye and lackluster end to the regular season. The effort was reflected on a third-quarter play that effectively doomed any chance of a Ravens comeback.

Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon — a Haitian-American thrust into the national media spotlight because of the devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince — sprinted about 40 yards downfield to punch the football out of Baltimore safety Ed Reed’s hands during an interception return.

The Colts recovered. The Ravens never did.

“He took a touchdown away from me,” said Garcon, the intended target on the play. “I had to get it back.”

The Colts (15-2) had to regain the momentum lost in mid-December. That was when coach Jim Caldwell crushed his team’s chances for a perfect season by yanking starters during a Week 16 loss to the New York Jets. He played reserves again the following week in a loss at Buffalo.