The injury to Peyton Manning is shining a light on a major problem with the Indianapolis Colts. For the last decade the Colts have been the best regular season team in the NFL, despite an oft-times sub-par defense. Regardless of defensive prowess, the Colts offense has been a machine of football talent. So, even without Manning, how the hell have they not won even one game this season? Hell, the Patriots won 11 games when Brady went down (…but that’s another story).

The problem resides with their coaching staff.

Remember that one season when the Colts defense was quite terrifying, when Bob Sanders’ arm wasn’t falling off and he played with Dwight Freeney? That defense was successful because they had the talent, not the schemes. The issue was never brought up with the offense, however, because Peyton Manning is the offense coordinator of the Colts. For the last 10 years Peyton Manning has been lining up, reading the defense and making audibles on his own, no coaches. Curtis Painter never had a chance, nor did Kerry Collins, because Peyton Manning is the best play-caller on the Colts coaching staff.

What Manning sees requires him to be on the field, though, and the Colts will continue to struggle until they get a coaching staff and quarterback that can catch up.