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Nyheim Hines had perhaps the prettiest play of Week 8. It was also a good reminder that football players are not like us. If I tried to spin like this at full speed in the backyard, there's a 100 percent chance I would tear my ACL and smash my face into the ground. Hines got up and did a cartwheel and a flip. Darius Leonard had a game-changing sack/fumble in the third quarter, and the Colts rolled to a 41-21 win against the Lions. They are 5-2 with a plus-62 point differential.

They came off their bye with a good showing against the Lions. They are the class of the AFC South right now.

QB Philip Rivers has six TD passes last two games, LB Darius Leonard is back in fine form, and Indy is suddenly tied for first atop AFC South.

Reason for optimism: Matt Eberflus' defense

The defensive unit, led by linebacker Darius Leonard and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, has been the foundation of the Colts this season. Eberflus' D is third in total yards allowed per game (293.4), second in rushing yards allowed (79.9) and fifth in points allowed (19.4) to go with a league-high 11 interceptions, helping key the Colts' fast start. -- Mike Wells

Welcome back, Darius Leonard. The Lions were driving with a chance to take the lead late in the third quarter on Sunday when Leonard, who'd been out since Week 4 with a groin injury, got to Matthew Stafford for a strip-sack that changed the game. Philip Rivers and the Colts' offense leveraged that turnover into a quick touchdown, and Kenny Moore put the game to bed with a pick-six on the ensuing Lions possession. From 20-14 to 35-14 in less than four minutes of game time. Rivers delivered another efficient performance, and the Indy pass rush came to life with five sacks and seven hits on Stafford. The win, coupled with a second consecutive Titans loss, moves the Colts into a first-place tie in the AFC South, with two games against Tennessee on tap in the next four weeks. Buckle up.