Pats/Colts - New England Patriots Forums

GinoCappelletti · 01-16-2007, 09:42 AM

Just some thoughts I have on the upcoming AFC Championship game;

1. The Colts defense has looked extremely good over the last two weeks. I can't see them playing as well this week because they went up aganist what was in one case a really bad offense (Baltimore) and in another case a really unimaginative offense (Kansas City). I think the Patriots will expierience more success agnist them this week.
2. In the previous meeting between these two teams in Foxboro earler in the year Tom Brady had one of his worst games as a Patriot throwing 4 Interceptions. As much as he was clutch in the previous game aganist San Diego he was very ordinary (even bad) for a good part of the game. The common denominator in these two games is that the run game did not get established. I think it is important for the Patriots to estabish the run in this game. I look for Laurence Maroney to have a much bigger role than he did last week on the faster turf of the RCA Dome.
3. One of my concerns heading into this matchup is are the Patriots worn out physically? The game at San Diego was an absolute dogfight, one of the most physical games i've seen. The Jets game was also tough, despite what the final score looked like. That was a dogfight until halfway through the fouth quarter. Indianapolis is still a finnese team in my opinion, but they proved that unlike in years past, they can be physical down in Baltimore. The Patriots are among the best conditioned teams in the league, which is a factor in beating San Diego. Can they be physical with the Colts as in playoffs past? We shall see. Getting Rodney Harrison back would be huge in that reagrd.

cblesz · 01-16-2007, 10:08 AM

The Colts had a very physical game against the Ravens, too. Apparently Addai is hurting...

Flying Fungi · 01-16-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GinoCappelletti

Just some thoughts I have on the upcoming AFC Championship game;

1. The Colts defense has looked extremely good over the last two weeks. I can't see them playing as well this week because they went up aganist what was in one case a really bad offense (Baltimore) and in another case a really unimaginative offense (Kansas City). I think the Patriots will expierience more success agnist them this week.
2. In the previous meeting between these two teams in Foxboro earler in the year Tom Brady had one of his worst games as a Patriot throwing 4 Interceptions. As much as he was clutch in the previous game aganist San Diego he was very ordinary (even bad) for a good part of the game. The common denominator in these two games is that the run game did not get established. I think it is important for the Patriots to estabish the run in this game. I look for Laurence Maroney to have a much bigger role than he did last week on the faster turf of the RCA Dome.
3. One of my concerns heading into this matchup is are the Patriots worn out physically? The game at San Diego was an absolute dogfight, one of the most physical games i've seen. The Jets game was also tough, despite what the final score looked like. That was a dogfight until halfway through the fouth quarter. Indianapolis is still a finnese team in my opinion, but they proved that unlike in years past, they can be physical down in Baltimore. The Patriots are among the best conditioned teams in the league, which is a factor in beating San Diego. Can they be physical with the Colts as in playoffs past? We shall see. Getting Rodney Harrison back would be huge in that reagrd.

The Patriots have had a very physical 4 straight weeks, gleefully ending the playoff hopes of Jax, Tenn, NYJ and SD along the way.

Indy up next.

Brownfan80 · 01-16-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GinoCappelletti

3. One of my concerns heading into this matchup is are the Patriots worn out physically? The game at San Diego was an absolute dogfight, one of the most physical games i've seen. The Jets game was also tough, despite what the final score looked like. That was a dogfight until halfway through the fouth quarter. Indianapolis is still a finnese team in my opinion, but they proved that unlike in years past, they can be physical down in Baltimore. The Patriots are among the best conditioned teams in the league, which is a factor in beating San Diego. Can they be physical with the Colts as in playoffs past? We shall see. Getting Rodney Harrison back would be huge in that reagrd.

The factor that, I think, evens it out is that BOTH teams had to play a Wildcard game. Also, while we had a dogfight with the Chargers, I'd have to say that the Colts had a simular time with the Ravens going by what I saw in replays.

Both teams will be a little beat up and worn down. It'll remain to be seen whether Dungy's mini-byeweek was a good idea or not.