Nordberg

Isn't it funny listening to the media/Colt fans talk about what if Harrison would have played in the game. You have got to be kidding me.

Manning still had better than what Brady has had to work with for the last few years in the game yesterday, but all as I hear today is the whinning by everyone about Manning not having his binky.

I guess Manning can't get it done without top notch talent.....who new

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...04/mmqb/1.html

This game did not decide the AFC Super Bowl rep. Before the game, I was convinced that if the Patriots won, they'd have the Super Bowl berth all but locked up. Indy could not come to Foxboro and win in January, I thought.

Now? I'm not so sure. Think of Sunday's game. If Marvin Harrison played, would that have been Anthony Gonzalez' first-half drop in the end zone of a Colts TD? Would that second-half drop by Aaron Moorehead have happened? And how about the crucial third-quarter drop by Reggie Wayne at the New England 28? How can he drop a ball like that, perfectly thrown by Manning? In other words, the Colts had plenty of chances to keep this one close, and to cushion their lead.

On defense, the Colts were far more physical a group than New England had seen previously. Cornerback Marlin Jackson was the headhunter Sanders had been in recent weeks. Gary Brackett made one of the best interceptions you've ever seen on Brady, a one-handed pirouetting job. The Patriots walked away with more respect for an Indy defense than after any game of this modern rivalry; Belichick is 8-4 against the Colts since taking the helm in 2000.

Why do I give Indy a shot in January? Harrison, you'd think, would drag his aching knee into the starting lineup for that one. And the last two times they met in Foxboro, Indianapolis won -- 40-21 and 27-20. It'll be colder, most likely. But it was 51 degrees for the 2005 meeting, and 31 last year on a Sunday night, when the Colts put up 27 points and picked off Brady four times. No, this most definitely will not be a walkover in the rematch.

Rob0729

I think the media has to accept that Marvin Harrison may be done. In case they haven't noticed, even before he was injured he wasn't Manning's go to guy. I think if he was in the game, he probably wouldn't have made much a difference.

It is funny that I didn't hear any media person say the Pats might have won the AFC Championship game last year if the Pats had Harrison, Wilson, and Seau.

mac

Very well-thought-out post. Which I happen to agree with.

psychoPat

Hmmm.
Why is that?

NYCPatsFan

And, isn't it amazing that the no one seems to criticize Manning for that crucial turnover in their last drive? He's getting a free pass, wonder why...

SVN

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...mqb/index.html

not too bad for a change although he does throw in the colts injuries in as part of the column.

scout

What if.....................what if the Patriots did not commit (i use that term loosely) a team record in penalties? Then he compares last years Indy wins in Foxboro to going there this year. PETER, how about also comparing last years Patriots players who were on the field for that game. Not only were there some injuries, but no Moss, Welker or Thomas. Give me a break.

Nordberg

Doesn't it kind of make you wonder if Mannings numbers being down this year has anything to do with Marvin missing alot of time.

Watch his numbers every year become pedestrian if Harrison is done. I would laugh my ***** off

kolbitr

That wasn't a member post--he was quoting King.

The mistake with all of the what-if regarding Harrison, is that he was held out of this game because of a chronic injury. I.e., he's old. Wish we could turn back the clock on Tedy and Rodney, since it's likely that Addai would not have had the 73-yard run, for example, against the 2004 Pats, but that can't be done. I doubt that Manning would have ignored Gonzalez were Harrison in the game--he hasn't been ignoring him this year. Perhaps he would have made a few more plays, but it's not definite. And we certainly could have used Morris, a far-lesser player than MH, but one who would have been a terrific inside force. Moorehead's drop was I think the most damaging, and that might have gone to Harrison, who we can say would have been far less likely to drop that pass.

Fencer

Peter King may be the only literate person on the planet -- my parents excepted -- who hasn't read Harry Potter or seen a Harry Potter movie.

Or, rather, he was. I'm sure his email box has filled up with explanations by now ...