"

Fair enough...not going to worry too much about it, but it is rather bothersome.  Although, it is my understanding that since the article deals with a subject that is primarily of American interest, it is American English conventions that are to be used.  Certainly, when the subject is not of any specific interest to speakers of a particular form of English, then there's no reason to go about changing it; it should just be left as originally written, unless someone changes the substance of it and uses the form with which he is accustomed rather than what was originally written.  However, that is not the case here.

Furthermore, without context those examples you cited are useless.  Whether ""Indianapolis Colts"" is a plural or singular noun depends on whether or not it's being used to refer to the entity itself as distinct from the individuals that make it up, or whether it's just being used to refer to the individuals collectivelly. 

 BTW, quit adding stuff.  This is the second time I've got an edit conflict while trying to reply to this D  "