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Patriots vs. Colts: Five Questions With Bob Kravitz Of The Indianapolis Star ats Confidential
Winning Back The Domination Of Manning | Pats Fans | Bob George
Pre-Game Thoughts: Colts at Patriots: Derek's Patriots Blog
Take away Reggie Wayne
Run the ball
Get in Peyton Manning's face
Prepare for Mathis and Freeney
Don’t take your foot off the gas
My Five Keys To Victory For The Patriots Against The Colts ats Confidential
The Patriots need to play from ahead early in this game
Light and Vollmer need to have exceptional games of protecting the quarterback
The Patriots tight ends need to take advantage of the middle of the Colts defense
The Patriots need to contain Jacob Tamme
The Patriots need to play the “bend don’t break defense” to perfection against Manning
On defense the major strength of this unit still has to be Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis up front. Would you consider the secondary the weak link of this unit or has this group become a strength?
The Colts’ defensive weaknesses seem to change week to week, usually depending on injuries. In Philly, the secondary struggled without Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey. Other games, the D-line has gotten pushed around. Right now, I’d worry about the linebacking, especially if Gary Brackett and Clint Session can’t go. They would be replaced by rookies. The bottom line on Indy is, if you can run on them, you can win. It’s worked for Houston, Jacksonville and Philly and almost worked for Washington. Same old, same old.
Winning Back The Domination Of Manning | Pats Fans | Bob George
Things seem to be turning a corner for the Patriots nowadays. Devin McCourty is emerging as a shutdown corner like Law was. Patrick Chung is making everyone remember when Wilson was at his physical best. If only Brandon Meriweather will bring his skills from the neck up to match his great ability from the neck down (better coverage and tackling angles, understanding offenses better, more maturity), and if Kyle Arrington is more than just a stopgap until someone better comes back or comes along, the Patriots have a more than decent chance to win on Sunday.
But the Patriots have to do it the old way. Play the receivers tight and be physical, and don't try and blitz Manning. You won't outsmart Manning, but you can goad him into a pick or two if you play his receivers correctly. You don't have to deal with Marvin Harrison (retired in 2008) or Clark or Gonzalez and probably not Collie. Jacob Tamme has played well, but most any Colt does with Manning at the controls.
Pre-Game Thoughts: Colts at Patriots: Derek's Patriots Blog
Take away Reggie Wayne
Run the ball
Get in Peyton Manning's face
Prepare for Mathis and Freeney
Don’t take your foot off the gas
Prepare for Mathis and Freeney – Maybe the ultimate factor of the entire game. Or should I say two factors? Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney have been forcing havoc on opposing quarterbacks for years now. Containing these two elite edge rushers will be critical if the Patriots want to have success on Sunday. Matt Light and Sebastian Vollmer will have their hands full and if they cannot get the job done, Tom Brady’s jersey may not be as clean as it was last Sunday.
My Five Keys To Victory For The Patriots Against The Colts ats Confidential
The Patriots need to play from ahead early in this game
Light and Vollmer need to have exceptional games of protecting the quarterback
The Patriots tight ends need to take advantage of the middle of the Colts defense
The Patriots need to contain Jacob Tamme
The Patriots need to play the “bend don’t break defense” to perfection against Manning
Manning should be able to move his offense down the field against the Patriots defense between the 20 yard lines. The Patriots defense needs to tighten in the redzone and force Adam Vinatieri on the field. If the defense can accomplish this goal, the Patriots could be on their way to a victory.