The unbeaten: Indianapolis Colts

Three victories do not a season make, but a handful of NFL teams have started the 2007 season undefeated and taken a big step toward the playoffs. The select group includes preseason favorites Indianapolis and New England, mild surprises Dallas and Pittsburgh, and a bigger surprise in Green Bay. Times staff writer David Wharton takes a look at one of this fall’s fast starters:

Youth movement

The Colts are averaging nearly 20 yards and five points a game more than last season thanks to the well-known trio of Peyton Manning and his favorite targets, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. They are also getting a boost from rookies Tony Ugoh and Anthony Gonzalez.

Ugoh, 6 feet 5 and 301 pounds, took over at left tackle, protecting Manning’s backside, when Pro Bowl veteran Tarik Glenn retired days before training camp. Ugoh held his own Sunday against Houston’s tough defensive line and, so far this season, his quarterback has been sacked only three times.

Gonzalez was drafted in the first round to fill the slot position previously occupied by Brandon Stokley. He has struggled with dropped passes but got a chance to show his skills in a tough second-week victory over Tennessee, a game in which he sparked a scoring drive with three catches for 49 yards.

Ground game

Now in his second season, running back Joseph Addai is maturing into a bona fide leading man. Dominic Rhodes is gone, so there is no more sharing the ball and Addai has responded with 271 yards and four rushing touchdowns, which is tied for the league lead. He has averaged 4.2 yards a carry and has yet to fumble.

Outlook

Do the math. The offense ranks fourth in the league with an average of 398 yards and the defense ranks fifth, giving up 286 yards. Adam Vinatieri has been his usual, steady self, making eight of nine field-goal attempts. In other words, this team might be even better than last season’s version that won Super Bowl XLI.

david.wharton@latimes.com