Regarding Point Differential

[BelichickFan]

I know some look at the Indy-Pats point differential and think it shows the teams to be fairly even given the Colts' somewhat tougher schedule.

The Pats average game is a 41-16 win and the Colts average game is a 32-15 win. OK, not THAT close I guess but given the schedules it's kind of close enough.

However. Point differential is difficult to work with given that no team has ever had halftime leads like the Patriots. It totally changes games in so many ways. So I looked at first half point differential. Not because the second half doesn't matter but our numbers in the second half are totally irrelevant.

At halftime, the Patriots average game is a 22-6 lead.
At halftime, the Colts average game is a 14-8 lead.

On average, a 10 point halftime point differential; which is more meaningful to me than game ending stats given that the Patriots could probably score almost at will in second halves if the needed/wanted to.

 

[emoney_33]

I know some look at the Indy-Pats point differential and think it shows the teams to be fairly even given the Colts' somewhat tougher schedule.

The Pats average game is a 41-16 win and the Colts average game is a 32-15 win. OK, not THAT close I guess but given the schedules it's kind of close enough.

However. Point differential is difficult to work with given that no team has ever had halftime leads like the Patriots. It totally changes games in so many ways. So I looked at first half point differential. Not because the second half doesn't matter but our numbers in the second half are totally irrelevant.

At halftime, the Patriots average game is a 22-6 lead.
At halftime, the Colts average game is a 14-8 lead.

On average, a 10 point halftime point differential; which is more meaningful to me than game ending stats given that the Patriots could probably score almost at will in second halves if the needed/wanted to.

It's tough to judge. On the one hand we haven't really needed much in the 2nd half on the other hand that doesn't account for how good the Colts have been in the 2nd half. This Patriots team is simply amazing and I just can't think of anything the Colts could do that would mystify us. The only chance the Colts have of this not being a blow out IMO is to get to Brady fast and often without blitzing and get as many turnovers as they can. The Colts offense is still great, but I dont see them keeping up with us (as our defense is a whole helluva lot better than theirs IMO) unless they have amazing pressure on Brady as well as create and capitalize on turnovers.

 

[psychoPat]

That would explain our intuitive feel
... that, while both teams are superlative ...
one of them DOMINATES.