workhorse

I heard instead of a fine and suspension they were going to make him play for the Bengals this week.

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Joker

Just how many pictures does Marvin Lewis have on the Cincy owners anyway?

workhorse

Maybe you could ask how many they have of him to keep him coaching that mess. Mike Brown is an idiot and a disservice to their city and fan base.

Back on topic, did you guys see that the line for the game opened up with the Colts 5 1/2 point favorites? Seems a bit high. It was 4 before this weekend. Did the bookies like the Colts' loss or dislike the Pats' win? I figured it would be less than a field goal. You have to figure the Pats covering will get a lot of action.

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CheerforTom

This is right up there with the lifetime ban. I think you have to shoot a few people before it's considered.

Airkuhl

Welcome back Workhorse, always good to talk football with a rational fan, even of the wrong team.

I think it has the potential to be an excellent and hard fought game, although not for the same reasons we all thought it would be preseason. More of a battle of the mid-packs, but regardless of the health, ability and standing s of these two teams, there will always be a rivalry that will make the games special into the foreseeable future.

The Colts passing game was clearly off last night. It sounds like you are putting most of the blame on Manning but I believe that if the receiver can put both hands on the ball they should catch it. There were some blatant drops and tips by most if not all of a veteran receiving crew. Manning did seem to do his happy feet dance even more than usual so maybe something is going on there.

If I were the Colts, I would put massive pressure on Cassel and force him to make quick decisions, something he hasn't really shown the ability to do. Pats o-line is inconsistent and Cassel is a slow reader with a mid-pack release. They have been moving down the field OK but are weaker than they should be in the red zone, too many FG's, not enough TD's. If the Colts can get 6 sacks and a handful of hurries they'll probably win.

OTOH, he's notched a few wins and you can see a dramatic improvement in his presence in the pocket and ability to step up into a throw. The physical ability was always there and the mental side is finally starting to show, he's improving every game and we haven't seen a ceiling yet.

On offense, the Pats secondary is all over the map and with the Colts air game better than most even in a weak year it's the obvious approach. If Peyton and his receivers can get their mojo back they will win going away. If Wilfork gets suspended for being an idiot yet again, that will open up the front line for the run.

Keys to the game for the Pats will be a short passing game to Welker and Faulk, let Moss run a few more of those pitch and run crossing routes when he's not drawing two defenders down the long end of the field, and find a way to keep the Colts scoring low enough to let the offense keep up.

I predict 30-27 Pats if Wilfork plays.

workhorse

Some of it is on the receivers. I am really tired of the receivers letting the ball go through their hands, especially when it ends up getting picked.

I agree with the pressuring of Cassel. I think that will be the Colts game plan.

Faulk and Welker will kill the Colts if they allow they to constantly get pen underneath. The YAC will add up to 1st down after 1st down.

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Joker

the spread is a reflection of the injuries in the Pats secondary...three rookies at times against Manning doesn't exactly inspire confidence and when the damnable Dallas Clark is running routes, it could be a long day for the overaggresive rooks. I just can't believ how open Clark was last night on play after play..."here's comes Clark straight off the line....let's just let him run straight down the field untouched and uncovered while we bite on Manning's play action!!"...week after week I see this same play all game long...it's like he's invisible to the secondary or something.

Another thing is the propensity for our D co-ordinator to play vanilla up front with no blitz packages starting the game. It's infuriating. Seymour is playing very well and manned up, he could force Manning into hurries. What I fear is Pees playing his namby pamby zone rushing three and Manning eats it alive early, forcing Cassel to play catch-up. This is ANOTHER tough test for the kid on the road and I want him playing ahead or even to start off.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie

As punt returner. Hey wait, he can catch a punt.

spacecrime

I noticed that last night, quite a few "wounded duck" wobblers.

Perhaps his knee isn't as healed as people thought?

track dog

Once again bonehead penalties extended a key drive for the Colts opponent. I'm getting confused on whether I'm watching the Cowboys or the Colts. After the Pats no penalty effort this weekend, we can see who's more ready to play.