I'd say "they" are wrong. Detroit won all of its pre-season games last year (including the third) and it did not matter at all. I've heard that the Colts are like 2-14 in their recent pre-seasons (although those stats might be pre-2008), but that hasn't stopped them from making a playoff appearance every year.
If you think about it, last year was a dissapointment, but it wasn't abysmal, imo. At least it wasn't a losing season; there are several teams that wish they could say the same.
Edit: I like the burgundy on burgundy too.