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Colts play the waiting game


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Box_O_Rocks

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http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/sports/football/13559600.htm

But let's turn the question on its head at bit: Which team would give the Colts the most trouble on Jan. 15?

1. New England

What's most troubling? Tom Brady's magic touch.

Last we looked, Brady had never lost a playoff game. The Patriots feed off his confidence and he always seems to come up with some of his best games against the Colts. He's also playing the "we're disrespected" card these days, so who knows if a whiny Brady is even more effective?

The Patriots, rationalizing or not, chalked up their 40-21 loss to the Colts earlier this season to a spate of injuries. They weren't 100 percent, or even 75 percent, so in the Patriots' minds, the Colts proved nothing. New England still isn't 100 percent - linebacker Tedy Bruschi remains questionable - but it's much closer than it was in November. New England's pass rush is itching for another shot at Manning.

What must the Colts do to win? Control the ball and the game's tempo and post some big offensive numbers.

In the regular-season game, Indianapolis dictated the game's pace on both sides of the ball. The Colts forced the Patriots to respond to them, rather than vice versa, a complete turnaround from the last two playoff meetings.

"The two (playoff) games we lost up there, they were the better team," Manning said. "They outplayed us. It doesn't really matter where you play, if you don't play well enough, you won't win."

Who would be the Colts key player? Manning, who else?

The Colts defense wasn't nearly as strong a year ago, but it was the offense that was tamed in a 20-3 playoff loss last year. The Colts' regular-season win gives them some confidence, but the critics will be back to label this one as the real chance to prove New England's championship dynasty is over.

Manning needs to be at his sharpest in controlling the offense and, in turn, the game's tempo. New England's secondary is the weakest it has been for a playoff game with the Colts. But Manning shouldn't take that for granted.
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The Colts' greatest asset against all three potential opponents is the fact they've beaten all three - and soundly. The question is whether the Colts can regain the form that put the hurt on New England, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh.

"We haven't lost anything," Reagor said. "We haven't lost our momentum, we haven't lost our swagger. We still feel we're a team that can win it all as long as we play Colts ball in all phases of the game."
 
ColtsFan4Life said:
Don't sleep on us Pats fans.

Don't worry about us sleeping on the Colts. We are wide awake and ready to throw the dirt on your graves.
 
ColtsFan4Life said:
Don't sleep on us Pats fans.

Better hope your Colts aren't sleeping. Their first teamers won't have played for real in 4 weeks at gametime. Getting rusty or stale would be a huge concern for me if I were a Colt fan. Maybe you should send them a big can of lube just in case.
 
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