Insider: Colts show no mercy in victory over Jets

• Colts vs. Texans, 1 p.m. Sunday, CBS

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Indianapolis Colts have for weeks seemed determined to back their way into the playoffs. Win one, lose one. Lose one, win one. It’s been the drumbeat of this off-rhythm season.

Only the Houston Texans’ failure to capitalize on the gifts given to them by the Colts has kept Indianapolis in the mix, seemingly content to back their way into the playoffs — if they get there at all.

And then came Monday night at MetLife Stadium.

Something happened, and now we are left to wonder if the Colts might take a different approach. So, let your mind race. Let your imagination run unharnessed.

Maybe this team won't back into the postseason but, instead, kick the door in and show no mercy.

It’s what the Colts did at every turn in this 41-10 clobbering of the hapless New York Jets, a win that gave the Colts their second-largest margin of victory in coach Chuck Pagano's five seasons.

New York was outclassed and outperformed in every metric by a Colts team that now sits in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC South. The Colts (6-6) might have started the season 1-3, turning in one of their worst performances while losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars. But they now look like a club turning the proverbial corner based on their flawless execution in every conceivable facet on Monday.

Dwayne Allen: Now that's what a $29 million tight end looks like

"We know what December football is about," cornerback Darius Butler said. "It’s about teams that separate themselves and play at a different level."

For right now, in this, the first week of December, that describes the Colts.

"If we want to make that push, we might as well start now," receiver T.Y. Hilton added.

There is real danger in overreacting to a single game in the NFL, where reality can humble you on any given day. But consider what we saw Monday night, some of which has rarely been witnessed this season:

• The offensive execution was so precise it was stunning. Quarterback Andrew Luck was superb, completing 22 of 28 attempts for 278 yards, four touchdowns and a career-best 147.6 quarterback rating. The lack of consistency shown by his passing targets — the Colts have been among the league leaders in dropped passes all season —was all but eradicated. The Colts had just one drop and, instead, got superb performances from their receivers (Hilton made good on a promise and dominated Darrelle Revis and the Jets’ secondary with nine catches for 146 yards).

• On a related note, Luck ably worked the pocket with ease, taking advantage of the stout pass protection that kept a talented Jets defensive front at bay. That was a result of some impressive work by his offensive line, which had one of its most dominant games to date.

• A common theme of this season has been the tendency of the Colts' star players to underperform. One of those players has been tight end Dwayne Allen, who told IndyStar heading into the game, “I’m not in the Pro Bowl voting for a reason. I’m a realist.”

Perhaps that will change after Monday night, with Allen catching a career-high three touchdowns, stepping up and seizing the opportunity afforded him by the calls dialed up by offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

A savvy corner route, a delayed drag route and a seam route punctuated by a fantastic, contested catch all resulted in scores for the fifth-year tight end.

"Chud is giving us great plans every week and we're starting to execute better and better," Luck said the touchdowns to Allen.

• Then there was the embattled Colts defense, a unit that allowed 28 points on Thanksgiving night to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but on Monday did as it pleased against the Jets.

Doyel: Do you believe it? Colts control their destiny

Turnovers made a reappearance for the Colts. Entering the game with three interceptions for the season, the Colts netted three more on Monday night. Darius Butler, Mike Adams and Darryl Morris grabbed one apiece, a feat that changes the trajectory of a game and leaves a struggling offense even more overwhelmed. The Colts also pressured the Jets' quarterbacks, putting a combined eight hits on Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bryce Petty (Fitzpatrick was benched at halftime).

Now, things will get infinitely more interesting.

The Colts host the Texans at 1 p.m. Sunday in a game that could result in them securing sole possession of first place in the AFC South. A victory against the Texans, currently losers of three consecutive games, would put the Colts on a path to the playoffs. That’s a place few figured they’d be two months ago.

As referenced earlier in this story, there are pitfalls associated with looking too far ahead in the NFL. The Colts still have a tough hill to conquer if the playoffs will ultimately be their destination.

But if they get there, and if Monday was any indication of how they’ll finish this unpredictable season, then the Colts could enter the postseason on a sizzling streak.

We might ultimately look back and reflect on when that streak started and find that it was on Monday night.

Colts vs. Texans, 1 p.m. Sunday, CBS

Follow IndyStar reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.