What do u think our Defense was thinking?!?

[SavioKid]

As they were watching the end of the Colts-SD game, do u think secretly they were a little euphoric that they did not have to gameplan against Peyton's offense?
Face it, the Colts offense are the most dynamic offense after the PATS in the league that could keep up in a 'shootout': Addai is a good runner/receiver; Harrison might have been close to full health and they have Wayne / Gonzalez & Clark who have been playing 'pitch-n-catch' for awhile for Manning.
Also, Manning knows the PATS defense / Coach B schemes better than any other QB in the NFL. I don't think we were going to surprise him hardly at all with any new exotice schemes. Rivers doesn't exactly bring fear to the PATS defense. Thus it makes it an easier gameplan in a way. But of course, we thought this against JAx and their passing game came alive.
Either way, i'm sure the PATS defense would have had the same confidence going into the AFCC if it was the Colts. And the outcome would of been the same too = a PATS victory most likely!

 

[Metaphors]

Rivers doesn't exactly bring fear to the PATS defense. Thus it makes it an easier gameplan in a way. But of course, we thought this against JAx and their passing game came alive.

The Pats' defense was geared to preventing a punishing ground game that wore out the defense and killed the clock. Belichick challenged the Jags to beat them with Garrard and those receivers, knowing that eventually there would be drops and turnovers.

This is pretty consistent with the Pats' D all year. The surprising aspect is how well some teams have been able to step up and execute for 40-50 minutes of the game, using parts of their offense that aren't used to carrying the load. I'm sure the Pats will challenge Rivers to stand in the pocket and deliver downfield. He has done fine with that recently, so it will be interesting to see if his hot streak can continue.

 

[SavioKid]

I think it's easier for the Patriots defense to face Manning since they're used to him and his tendencies. They know how to rattle him. But, Rivers has only played against the Patriots twice so they don't know much about him other than what they see on film. Rivers has come alive in the last few weeks while Manning is a playoff choker. I'd say Rivers over Manning in the playoffs but Manning over Rivers in the regular season.

Rivers over Manning in the playoffs? As a PATS fan, I always thought Manning in the past had something to prove with the 'playoff choke' label but that got thrown out the window last year with the Colts SB win. What has Rivers done? he's won 2 playoff games & one at home against the Titans! Plus, Manning did not choke last week: over 400 yards with 3 TDs with his 2 INTs coming of tips that his receivers should of caught! Rivers has a long way to go before being crowned as a playoff 'champion' and Manning is definitely not a choker since last year.

So, PATS fans do you think , to reword my original question, the defense preferred to gameplan for the Chargers or the Colts?

 

[SavioKid]

The Pats' defense was geared to preventing a punishing ground game that wore out the defense and killed the clock. Belichick challenged the Jags to beat them with Garrard and those receivers, knowing that eventually there would be drops and turnovers.

This is pretty consistent with the Pats' D all year. The surprising aspect is how well some teams have been able to step up and execute for 40-50 minutes of the game, using parts of their offense that aren't used to carrying the load. I'm sure the Pats will challenge Rivers to stand in the pocket and deliver downfield. He has done fine with that recently, so it will be interesting to see if his hot streak can continue.

I agree, as I said in a way originally, that the PATS gameplan was straightforward against Jax: their running game was to be stopped and JAx passing game was to beat us since it wasn't expected to do much (but did). So, that points to the fact that the PATS defensive gameplan against the Colts would of been the most difficult due to their balanced offense and the dynamic passing game of Manning (checkdowns / vertical / slants / etc..). So, do you think the PATS defense were a little bit more relieved to gameplan against SD instead of the Colts?