The Indianapolis Colts have fallen to 0-2 for the first time since Peyton Manning was a rookie, way back in 1998. And while we are talking about ominous numbers for the Colts, the Browns 27-19 victory was the first for Cleveland in five tries since 1994 against Indianapolis. Manning’s replacement, veteran Kerry Collins, once again played average football, completing only 19 of 38 passes, while losing a fumble and throwing an interception.

Cleveland took advantage of the Collins miscues and was led by an efficient Colt McCoy, who threw for over 200 yards and a touchdown. The Browns have their own Peyton, in running back Peyton Hillis and he was a big difference maker as he ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns, one of which came in the 4th quarter when the game was still in question.

The road doesn’t get any easier for the Colts as they move on to play defending AFC Champion Pittsburgh next week. The Steelers are coming off a 24-0 victory over Seattle, while the Browns will host the upstart Miami Dolphins.

If Peyton Manning is going to the Super Bowl this year, he needs to make sure he has a ticket. The Colts have yet to shut Manning down for the season and that shouldn’t surprise anyone. If there is a player in the NFL who will work as hard to get on the field as he does playing the game, it’s future Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning.

Manning has had three surgeries on his neck and apparently that’s not all he has been doing to try to put the helmet back on. FOX Sports is reporting that prior to his most recent surgery Manning flew to Europe to have stem cell therapy, a procedure that isn’t legal in the United States. The assumption is since Manning did have surgery after returning from Europe the treatment was ineffective. But, it’s indicative of how Manning is approaching his return to football. Whatever options there are he will explore them.

Manning was not in attendance for the Colts 27-19 loss to Cleveland but he has started “next level” rehabilitation. There is still no date set for the All Pro QB who has thrown 66 TD’s the past two seasons. Meanwhile the Colts are limping along at 0-2 without their franchise player and if positive results don’t start to materialize soon for the 35-year-old Manning, Indianapolis may have to start thinking of the future and life without one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

Peyton Manning’s streak came to an end and the Indianapolis Colts fans got a good look at what the future holds for their team’s season in Sunday’s opener against Houston. Manning, who is recovering from off-season neck surgery, didn’t travel for the travesty in Houston…but Kerry Collins did.

Collins was picked up by the Colts in late August as insurance against the possibility that has quickly become reality: most, if not all, of the season without Peyton Manning. He was given less than three weeks to try to learn the offense and the playbook. The 38-year-old veteran has played for four other teams in his 17-year career and despite bringing in his wealth of experience, he didn’t fare so well Sunday against the Houston Texans. Collins threw for 197 yards and a TD but was also sacked and fumbled three times in a crushing 34-7 loss to Houston. His 2.3 QBR was the lowest of any QB for the week.

Perhaps Collins can turn things around against Cleveland next week. The Colts will host their first home game against Cleveland who looked exceptionally sloppy in their opening loss to the Bengals. But regardless of that game’s final score, any dreams of watching the Colts host and play in this year’s Super Bowl are likely a distant dream for the Indianapolis faithful without their star QB at the helm.

Forget the Super Bowl… can the Colts even make the playoffs without Peyton Manning? Former head coach Tony Dungy doesn’t think so. The ironman QB who has never missed a start in his 13-year career and only missed one play, seems set to do just that as he is listed as doubtful for the Colts’ season opener in Houston.

Manning, who had off-season neck surgery to repair a nerve, still has soreness and is progressing behind schedule. The Colts are rightfully much less worried about Manning’s streak than his long-term health and are taking no chances at this point.

However, head coach Jim Caldwell is urging caution before writing Manning off for the opener. But if needed, veteran Kerry Collins has been polishing up and seems ready to take the field if Manning can’t go.