sarge

I think I can say regardless of who wins this Sunday, the loser will still be very capable of winning the next time these two teams meat.

With regard to the #1 team in the NFL, that won't be decided until the SB (I get your point though)

Classy post by the way!

Satchboogie3

The Colts are a great great team. But I think this Patriots team could end up being the best ever. So I think we will blowout the colts. We lost the AFCCG in the last minute, but that was with the worst WR in FB and MANY of our defensive players injured/out and sick. This time around we have the best WR in football, a really good running game, and an improved, healthy defense. Lastly, the Colts have looked flat in the first half of many of their games. If they play flat for even 5 minutes, the game could get ugly. The Colts will not only have to play perfect football for 60 minutes, but will have to execute the perfect plan to hold down the Pats offense for 60 minutes. It just doesn't seem to likely.

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This is the year. We put our failures in the past, it's a new year, a new defense. It's time to prove to the league that the Patriots are back and aren't going anywhere and they will be the last ones standing in Feb.
Update: Well that didn't work out as I had planned. Next year baby, next year 19-0 we go. Next year.

shmessy

Is this the Dr Jeckyl Patsox or the Mr. Hyde Patsox?:
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posted this morning at 10:58 am:

"A little bit of that is just bluster on my part, but I do think the Pats are going to play well. And I think cover 2 is a bad match for this offense.

My biggest concern going into this game is the healthy of Kyle Brady. What about you guys?"

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"They (Patriots) may be the greatest team ever" - Chris Mortenson, January 18, 2005 on espn.com

BradyFTW!

Turnovers and intangibles are thinking outside the box? If you look at the turnover differential of any given game, you can predict who won with great accuracy. It's no coincidence, in fact, that the Pats and Colts just so happen to be tied for best in the league in turnover differential. Definitely a key to any game, but not exactly outside the box.

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COLT FAN

I am not saying 0 chance for the losing team.

Not only the winning this game gives HFA but a psycological edge as well in the playoffs. Of course the losing team could very well come back and win there. Possible but not probable. Let us examine this.

let us assume HFA for the winning team because they have to lose two more games to lose HFA.

They get HFA and the Psy. edge; It would be very difficult for the other to win in the opposition stadium in Jan. I would say 75-25 in favor of the team with HFA (winning this game).

Bobs My Uncle

My keys to Pats win:

1) Keep Freeney and Mathis in check with just 6 (5 OL + 1 TE or RB). If this happens with any regularity then Brady will pick apart the Colts secondary. This in turn will open up the running lanes for the Pats RB's which will allow Brady the flexibility to audible into and out of formations looking for the best matchups.

2) Stop Addai with just front 7. If this happens with any regularity then BB will be able to devise coverage schemes to confuse Manning and control the Colts passing offense.

TomBrady'sGoat

HFA alone doesn't make sense though, and is horribly overrated anyway. Both of these teams can win on the road. If NE loses this game in the dome by a couple points on a last-second field goal, is there any reason to think they can't win the AFCCG in the dome?

Also, if HFA is so important then you shouldn't think NE stands a very good chance in this game. There's no difference in the dome between November and January.

Psychological edge? Really? You think either of these teams, who're likely to win 14+ games and are headed by the top 2 coaches and QBs in the league, will go into the next match-up thinking they cannot win?

I guess I'm just saying not to buy into the hype. It's a huge regular season game, but that's all it is.

sebman2112

A few things of note:

Can the colts neutralize Wes Welker?

The Patriots addition of Adalius Thomas. How will he effect NE's ability to pressure Manning, and will he be effective helping in coverage against Dallas Clark?

The overall level of health the Patriots defense goes into this game with. Rodney, Wilson and Seau missed the AFCCG, Bruschi had the flu, Colvin missed a large portion of the game, Richard Seymour was sporting an arm-brace, and Ellis hobbs was playing with a broken wrist. Right now it seems Wilson is the only defensive starter that could have health concerns going into the game.

Is Kyle Brady going to be healthy? And, if Kyle is out will the Colts find it easier to get pressure on Brady?

Do the Colts risk light coverage against Moss?

If the Colts shift coverage to Moss will Stallworth be able to make them pay?

If the Patriots establish the run, will Bob Sanders bite on play action? If so, will that open up Randy or Donte for the deep pass?

Is Marvin Harrison going to play, and will he be effective?

Finally, will Marlin Jackson's recent concussion effect his play?

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pheenix11

Did you go to the Shaun King school of football analysis?

Thanks for playing

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16-0? Yup I called it:
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TomBrady'sGoat

That is the story in my opinion. I really think that people will be stunned, with the 2nd half of the AFCCG being their most recent memory. NE won't be able to shut down Manning, but they won't be rolling over for him either.