Do you believe the Colts or your own lying eyes?

The Colts say everything's fine. Harrison is 100 percent healthy; he hasn't lost a step. He's human, so he misses a catch once in a while, but he's the same Hall of Fame-caliber receiver we've known all these years.

Your lying eyes say you've followed Harrison for years. That was not Harrison letting a touchdown pass slip through his hands in the end zone in last Sunday's win at Pittsburgh. That was not Harrison opting not to dive for a deep ball a stride away. That was a 36-year-old going on 40, not looking so sharp anymore.

So which is it?

As usual in these debates, the truth lies somewhere in between.

Harrison at 36 is not Harrison at 26 or even Harrison at 31. This is a fact of life. Athletes rise, peak and then slip. Unless you're Barry Sanders, you don't retire at the height of your powers. And there's only one Barry Sanders.

As the Colts (5-4) face the Houston Texans (3-6) at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, the opportunity for a big offensive day looms large. The Texans are down, coming off a crushing loss to the Ravens. The Colts are on the upswing after consecutive wins over the Patriots and Steelers. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning seems to have found his rhythm, with fewer and fewer (but still some) erratic passes.

After Harrison's missed opportunities last week, a lot of people will have their eyes on No. 88 to see if he can bounce back. They'll look at his speed, his ability to separate from defensive backs and his willingness to make the tough catch.

"Everybody's making a big deal about the (Steelers game)," Manning said. "I thought I could have made some better throws in that game. Some of those should have been in-stride catches with a better ball, so I think everybody's overreacting a little bit about all that."

Harrison isn't as spectacular as he used to be. He sustained an unapproachable level of production for eight seasons (1999 to 2006) before his body betrayed him last season. We didn't know how badly he was hurt last season; circumstantial evidence says he was hurt significantly.

Harrison isn't washed up if you consider the context of a comeback. Coming off knee surgery, he has 30 catches for 357 yards, an 11.9 yards-per-catch average, and three touchdowns. At this rate, that will produce the lowest single-season totals of his career, excepting last year's injury-riddled campaign.

Saying Harrison isn't washed up is weak praise. But he set a standard of excellence that makes his current production look worse than it is.

Harrison hasn't addressed his situation because he rarely speaks with the media. He became even more reticent, if that's possible, after the shooting incident during the off-season in which a gun registered to him wounded a person in Philadelphia. No charges were filed against Harrison, although he's named in a civil suit.

On the field, Harrison remains a viable target of the passing game, Manning said. Harrison ranks fourth on the team in catches behind Reggie Wayne (49 for 700 yards), Anthony Gonzalez (38 for 438) and Dallas Clark (34 for 415).

"He's in unbelievable shape for a player that's been playing as long as he has," Manning said. "He comes to practice and practices as hard as he can every single day. ... He's always been a great professional that way. He's still getting open."

Time is running out on Harrison and the Colts as partners. He'll count $13 million against the salary cap if he returns next season. As sentimental as the Colts might be, they'll move on without him next year if need be.

Harrison's best move now would be to prove he can still make spectacular catches look routine. That's harder at 36. What isn't tougher when we age?

No athlete defeats Father Time. No fan wants to see it, either. For the rest of the season, at least, Colts fans might want to ignore their lying eyes.

Key matchups

Colts S Bob Sanders vs.

Texans RB Steve Slaton

Most people wouldn't consider safety vs. a running back to be a one-on-one matchup, and it's not in the traditional sense. Slaton certainly has the ability to wreak havoc. But Sanders can fly. And when he does fly, he often lands on running backs.

Edge: Sanders.

Colts TE Dallas Clark vs.

Texans LB DeMeco Ryans

This is the type of game where Colts quarterback Peyton Manning seems likely to rely on his short passing game. Clark will venture into the middle, where he may encounter Ryans, who is tough and quick.

Edge: Even.

Colts DE Dwight Freeney vs.

Texans LT Duane Brown

Freeney took his game up a notch on the road against the Steelers, and it seems clear that he's again playing at full health. Brown is a rookie playing the most important offensive line position.

Edge: Freeney

Colts RB Joseph Addai vs.

Texans DT Amobi Okoye

What's up with Addai? He seems to be getting stalled at the line of scrimmage. That's where Okoye comes in, except for the fact he's quick as well as big (6-2, 302). Addai needs a big game this week, but he might not get it.

Edge: Okoye

Ghosts of Colts past vs.

Texans QB Sage Rosenfels

Is there any way Rosenfels can put the earlier game against the Colts out of his mind? The Colts were dead and Rosenfels ended up allowing the Colts to come back from 17 points down in the final minutes.

Edge: Colts

_____

To see more of The News-Sentinel, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.FortWayne.com.

(c) 2008, The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.