AFC Championship Game : Patriots vs. Colts -- Pre-Game Thread

[MoreBellhorn]

Herron didn't play when these teams played earlier in the season and he's WAY better than Richardson. Pats need to contain Fleener better than last time too.

Saying Herron is way better than Richardson honestly isn't saying much. Richardson might be the worst RB in the league right now. That being said, I didn't think Forsett was a great back, either. That offensive line manhandled the Pats' DLine for the most part.

Worry about Luck throwing all over the D. I really can't see the Colts winning and it doesn't matter what I think. The team won't underestimate them and that's all that matters.

 

[Rob0729]

Colts went into Denver and won a playoff game. More than the Patriots can say...

Indy can win this game. Don't sleep on them.

You don't think the Pats wouldn't have gone into Denver and crushed this Broncos' team that played today? I mean Denver played today without a legitimate starting QB today.

Do you really think that the Colts would have gone into Denver and beat the Denver team from last year? Manning today missed several wide open receivers down field. Last year's Manning would have thrown for 3-4 TDs today.

Sure the Colts could win next week, but arguing the Colts went into Denver today and won and the Pats went into Denver and lost last year is not a valid argument why. Two different Mannings, Gronk was on IR among others, Talib got injured early in the game, etc. It isn't an apples to apples comparison.

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

Tonight the Colt OL handled a more Pass Rush potent Denver DL than the Patriots will present. With the Indy OL giving Luck good protection/time, I think it is fair to say he delivered pretty well (what should have been 27 points against Denver at Mile High is a good overall score). I was impressed with some of his difficult but successful third down throws to keep the chains going.

Luck is likely to have time to throw again. It just is what it is, the Patriots biggest weakness, IMHO, is a lack of even an average Pass Rush. Yet as long as we contain the Indy run game, which puts Luck into some unfavorable down/distance situations, I like our chances to get stops as well as keeping them out of the endzone most of the time.
If, on the other hand, our Rush D sucks again? The Raven type game will repeat itself with Brady and the offense needing to score 4 to 5 TDs again. Our D has to be a better Run D than what was shown against Baltimore. The QBs we will face simply cannot be given the advantage of significant rushing yard totals.

What was of notice about the Colts win tonight is how well they played Run D (and how well their base Pass Rush played). Where did the soft Run D go that we faced in November?? If this improved Run D is not a one game aberration, the Patriots' task is significantly more difficult (here comes another all out air attack!).

Given Manning's performance last night as well as most of the last month of games or so, I'm no longer sure Indy should have been the favored opponent to play us in the AFCCG. Denver looked so weak on offense, average on D, generally looked ripe for being dismissed, and a team that would have been dismissed in Foxboro.
Whatever one thinks of Manning, the guy has been an excellent QB for many years. But this game makes me believe either he is significantly injured or it's time to consider hanging it up. Either way a good team to face in Foxboro. ((IMHO the Indy game wasn't a choke by Manning, it felt more like the showing of a guy who just didn't have it at that needed playoff level)).

I didn't catch the whole game, but the pass rush was applying pressure during what I saw. However there was little contain and Luck escaped the pressure more often than not.

The more I watch teams attack these guys the more I understand why the GOAT coach doesn't.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I didn't catch the whole game, but the pass rush was applying pressure during what I saw. However there was little contain and Luck escaped the pressure more often than not.

The more I watch teams attack these guys the more I understand why the GOAT coach doesn't.

We'll have to disagree on last night's game. The Denver pass rush was not good/Luck continually had time to throw with just a little drifting here and there. I did see him escape a few times but that wasn't the norm (I believe on both long bomb interceptions he had scrambled out of the pocket - but not sure). I can't recall Denver getting one sack. I don't even recall too many times Luck was closed to getting sacked. (at least that's how I remember the game)

 

[tmajr3]

Bring. On. Seattle.

But as far as Indy:
1. Contain Luck
2. Stop big pass plays, make Luck drive the field, he's prone to a few mistakes. Just have to make the play.
3. Pound the rock and set up play action to Gronk or LaFell on the curls and comeback routes.
4. If Indy is set on stopping the run, pick on Landry in the secondary. The quick hitters like we saw in second half of BAL are this teams chance at beating Indy and SEA/GB

 

[Double TE]

I could not believe how low scoring the game was! I am glad I had Brady on my FanDuel team. Honestly neither offense looked that spectacular.

The Colts dual TEs could pose some problems though.

 

[mosi]

When watching the game live, I though that Manning just sucked but re-watching some of it, yes he clearly missed throws he normally makes but the Colts Pass D actually played well. Manning, if anything, read the defense poorly and kept throwing to the wrong guy.

And also, the Donkeys ran the ball well -except when they absolutely needed to. When they needed 2-3 yards, and they were only able to complete pass plays of 2-3 yards, they ran it for no gain. Amazing how badly that game went for Manning.

Manning either threw it long or threw it very short the entire game. There were no intermediate throws.

 

[A man named Brady]

I'm looking for a big bounce back game by the defense.

 

[BTTA]

It appeared that the Colts anticipated the Broncos passing scheme and routes very well. Not only did Manning look worn out, but the entire Denver offense looked predictable. It is difficult to sort out how much of that is on Denver and how much of it is good defense by the Colts.

I don't understand why Denver had so little confidence in their running game. Why not do what we did against the Colts and throw bodies at it? Or are they so devoted to Manning that the idea of taking the ball out of his hands doesn't cross their minds?

Anyway, enough of that one. Lots to wonder about for this next one:

1. Do the Pats bring out a similar offense to last time and make the Colts demonstrate that they can beat it? With Stork probably out and thus two of the offensive line positions weakened, can the team do it again? The Colts run D looked better against the Broncos, but is it really?
   
2. I love that the Colts defense has to spend time in practice getting ready for the wrinkles that the Pats pulled out against the Ravens. Do those wrinkles get used again, or are they good enough as decoys now, requiring the Colts to use up valuable prep time that will turn out to be wasted?
3. I'm guessing that in this game, the "trick plays" are on special teams, just in time for the Super Bowl opponent to have to waste time in practice on THAT.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Another X-Factor

Danny boy has 17 receptions in his last 3 games. He no longer looks like he runs a 4.8 forty out there and is also breaking tackles. Maybe we can finally count on him as a WR3? He may have finally recovered some of his abilities that've been sapped the last two years since 2013 opening day. He should be facing off against Darius Butler most of the game.

The Colts added Boom Herron since last game. We added a WR3.

 

[dannydyn]

My buddy said it best after the game last night (on the Broncos' front office): "Just proves you can't buy championships".

Nice going Elway....

And thank you Talib and Welker for leaving the place that made you to be who you are, joining the hoseface and his road circus, and turning into complete scrubs. Welker now slides down as soon he sees safeties coming his way (1 reception), and T.Y. Hilton doing doughnuts around Talib.

DeMarcus Ware is a non-existent geriatric pass rusher (zero sacks in the last 5 games), and TJ Ward a prima donna in the endzone.

See ya next year *****es. Can't wait.

 

[Uncle Rico]

I'm looking for a big bounce back game by the defense.

Absolutely. Just heard SMY on NFLN talking about this — how the defense was built to keep Brady from having to score 30 points to win a playoff game and that's exactly what he had to do. D should come out fired up. And so much of these games is about matchups, and the Pats match up well against Indy.

Moving on: I heard a few references to the Colts being much improved when playing a team a second time. Mmm, not so sure:

Broncos,....L 31-24, W 24-13
Bengals.......W 27-0, W 26-10
Jags ,,,,,,,,,,,W 44-17, W 23-3
Titans.........W 41-17, W 27-10
Texans........W 33-28, W 17-10

 

[1960Pats]

Yes. Same situation as in Divisional round in 2011 against the Jets. Patriots lost to them, when Patriots obliterated Jets in regular season.

The situation now is almost the same. The big difference is this time we're facing a real QB.

 

[1960Pats]

Let's see what "trick play" the Patriots will pull on the Colts...

Belitrick.

 

[doesntmatter1]

Peyton was a little off but I think people are not giving the Colts their due. A big underrated part of the Broncos passing game is their run after the catch and the Colts were all over it with excellent tackling.

On another note, I am glad we don't have to face Manning. He was ridiculously stubborn and just kept throwing it deep even though he couldn't connect. This is not the first time he has done this. This is just the first time the refs didn't help him out(Hobbs says hi). Peyton and the Cowboys just found out that the refs will not always have your back.

Back to the Colts. The Colts have made great strides overcoming their weakness of stopping the run. It showed when they stopped the Bengals rushing attack. Their style of defense though is what we shine against. They consistently play man and that isn't going to work against our quick footed receivers. It is nice to take comfort in the fact that if the Colts somehow neutralize our running game, Brady is comfortable and effective passing even without the threat of play action.

Lastly, the Colts offense is basically the same as the one we saw earlier except they have added Herron. He is basically their Vereen. Our big linebackers need to put a beating on him because he seems a little beat up already. Contain Hilton by doing the opposite of what Talib did(lol) and be leery of checkdowns to the rb.

 

[Betterthanmost]

The Colts vs Decepticons

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

If we are at all to be considered a team that can beat you many ways then I would love to see that run game this week. IF we were to get by Indy then a one dimensional team would not be a good match-up vs GB or Sea.

First things first and that is to establish that run game and the LOS. The tackles played great in that second half vs the Ravens. We need that line to be Mankins-ish next Sunday...re-establish the run and an attitude to run...

 

[Gallo]

I'm not optimistic about my Colts' chances. I think we will make it closer than we did the last time, but we will surrender around 30-33, and unfortunately I can't see Andrew not turning the ball over. He's still not there yet as far as decision making go. Now if it's because of him, or maybe because of the lack of running game and inconsistent offensive line, or maybe because we rely on him too much, I don't know. Anyway, let's say you make it to the big game, am I wrong when I think that you guys would rather see the Packers there?

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

The Colts vs Decepticons

I'd accept that name for the team if we get Megatron.

 

[Betterthanmost]

I'd accept that name for the team if we get Megatron.

Is he a free agent?