Trying to swim through the muddy waters of the TV media coverage this morning and I am somewhat surprised at the volume of pundits now claiming that they never gave the Colts a chance but after yesterday's game they believe they can win in the playoffs in Foxboro. Apart from stating the obvious that any team in the playoffs (well maybe not in the Wild Card game) has a chance to win; what amazes me is the fact that they continue to talk up the Colts despite a collapse in the fourth quarter. Several have put it down to the defense getting tired (unlike the AFCC last year for the Pats), and the absence of key players including a rookie!(repeat last parenthetical comment).
Not much has been said about the Pats overcoming a 10 point deficit with 10 mins left in the 4th quarter, other than to suggest that it was expected.
I thought the Colts Defense played really well, but on analysis I also thought they played above themselves. They did have a good game plan taking out the short yardage plays and allowing the pass rushers to get to Brady, but I thought they would find it hard to sustain their momentum, and it seemed to be the case in the 4th Quarter. Part of my observation is that the whole team has been running on the adrenalin of being the Superbowl Champion. They have been running on the confidence and belief that they are unbeatable (especially in the RCA dome) and that they have taken the best clutch kicker away from the Pats who have a lesser talent to replace him. The evidence for the hubris is the TV shots of how deflated they were on the sidelines (and not just after the final FF by Manning).
I believe that the defense will find it much harder to raise their output to that same level, now that they have tasted defeat and especially a defeat in their favored dome. I also think it was the offense that failed them at the end of the game, with the OL looking more fatigued and PM pressured out of his rhythm.
However my point is that their defense is fast and hard hitting, but unable to endure sustained effort and nowhere does this get tested more than in the playoffs. I think any rematch now has to favor the Pats even more than this one (point spread 9 anyone?), not the other way around as the pundits seem to be pointing.
Finally I have to confess to a guilty feeling of pleasure when Adam missed the first FG (thanks to Sey), but it was nice to see TB greeting him warmly at the end of the game (you just cant forget those SB wins).
