RyanTheColtsFan
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2004
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WHEN NEW ENGLAND HAS THE BALL
ADVANTAGE: Patriots
Dillon, Maroney, Faulk, Watson, Graham, Brown, Graffney, Caldwell. Indianapolis will have to defend more weapons than their previous 4 teams played have (Baltimore, Kansas City, Miami, and Houston) ... combined. Not to mention an offensive line that completely dominated one of the toughest defensive lines in football last week. And there's that Tom Brady guy. Possibly the best post season QB in NFL history.
STOPPING THE OFFENSE:
During the regular season, the NE backs averaged 4.1 yards per carry. While I do love Bob Sanders and what he does for the Colts defense, i'm not sold on the run defense. It's better, but no where near great. If the Patriots come out passing, the Colts can't get trapped into staying in pass coverage. The Triple Threat (Dillon, Maroney, Faulk) will eat them alive; especially on first downs. Indianapolis can't sell out trying to stop Tom Brady by letting the NE backs 8-10 yard gains on draw plays and screens. That slows the game down and keeps Manning & Co. off the field.
KEY MATCHUP:
Indianapolis DL vs. Patriots OL - Who controls the line of scrimmage? Will Brady have time to get the ball to his receivers?
WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL
ADVANTAGE: COLTS
Alot has been said about Manning having a horrible post-season thus far but he's done enough to get the Colts to the AFCCG. He's winning ugly but apparently that's not allowed anywhere but NE. The offense is going to have to be on Sunday or this game won't be close. While I don't think Addai/Rhodes will have much room to run, it's important to commit to the run and keep that NE defense honest. The more predictable Peyton is, the more trouble he's going to find himself in. Teddy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel combined for almost 200 tackles during the regular season. If they can tackle the Colts WR's on the "Dink and Dunk" routes they've been running for weeks now, NE should be in good shape.
STOPPING THE OFFENSE:
If NE can get pressure on Manning without having to blitz, the Colts offense may be toast. As seen in the last two meetings, the Patriots secondary does not fool Manning anymore and bringing the LB's in to blitz will leave Clark/Utech wide open down the middle of the field.
KEY MATCHUP:
Colts WR vs. Patriots DB's. Will the physical play by the NE secondary be enough to stop Harrison and Wayne? Will they be allowed to play physical?
SPECIAL TEAMS:
ADVANTAGE: Patriots
Newcomer Stephen Gostkowski missed just 5 FG's during the regular season and officially paid his post-season dues last week in San Diego. Former NE icon Adam Vinatieri is now a member of the Colts. Edge to Indy here but that's where it ends.
KEY MATCHUP:
Wilkins vs. NE return team
The Colts averaged 9.0 yards per punt return during the regular season. The Patriots averaged 11.7 yards per punt return. The Colts averaged 23.6 yards per kick return. The Patriots averaged 26.8 yards per kick return. In the post season, it's all about field position. And while most people think Special Teams is just about kickers, it's not. The NE Patriots have a CLEAR edge in both return games.
FINAL SAY:
Colts 31
Patriots 23
I think both teams struggle in the first half offensively. A 10-10 tie going into the break sounds about right. Colts offense breaks out in the second half (per usual) and does just enough to secure a victory.
Manning: 28-38 for 279 2TD's, 1INT.
Addai: 21 rushes, 64 yards, 2TD.
Rhodes, 13 rushes, 36 yards.
Harrison: 6 catches, 66 yards, 1TD.
Wayne: 4 catches, 70 yards.
Clark: 5 catches, 53 yards, 1TD.
(Others fill the totals)
Brady: 24-31, 303 yards, 2TD's.
Dillon: 11 rushes, 63 yards.
Maroney: 17 rushes, 74 yards.
Faulk: 4 rushes, 11 yards.
Gaffney: 7 catches, 97 yards, 1TD.
Caldwell: 4 catches, 82 yards.
Graham: 2 catches, 7 yards. 1TD.
Brown: 5 catches, 27 yards.
(Others fill the totals)
ADVANTAGE: Patriots
Dillon, Maroney, Faulk, Watson, Graham, Brown, Graffney, Caldwell. Indianapolis will have to defend more weapons than their previous 4 teams played have (Baltimore, Kansas City, Miami, and Houston) ... combined. Not to mention an offensive line that completely dominated one of the toughest defensive lines in football last week. And there's that Tom Brady guy. Possibly the best post season QB in NFL history.
STOPPING THE OFFENSE:
During the regular season, the NE backs averaged 4.1 yards per carry. While I do love Bob Sanders and what he does for the Colts defense, i'm not sold on the run defense. It's better, but no where near great. If the Patriots come out passing, the Colts can't get trapped into staying in pass coverage. The Triple Threat (Dillon, Maroney, Faulk) will eat them alive; especially on first downs. Indianapolis can't sell out trying to stop Tom Brady by letting the NE backs 8-10 yard gains on draw plays and screens. That slows the game down and keeps Manning & Co. off the field.
KEY MATCHUP:
Indianapolis DL vs. Patriots OL - Who controls the line of scrimmage? Will Brady have time to get the ball to his receivers?
WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL
ADVANTAGE: COLTS
Alot has been said about Manning having a horrible post-season thus far but he's done enough to get the Colts to the AFCCG. He's winning ugly but apparently that's not allowed anywhere but NE. The offense is going to have to be on Sunday or this game won't be close. While I don't think Addai/Rhodes will have much room to run, it's important to commit to the run and keep that NE defense honest. The more predictable Peyton is, the more trouble he's going to find himself in. Teddy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel combined for almost 200 tackles during the regular season. If they can tackle the Colts WR's on the "Dink and Dunk" routes they've been running for weeks now, NE should be in good shape.
STOPPING THE OFFENSE:
If NE can get pressure on Manning without having to blitz, the Colts offense may be toast. As seen in the last two meetings, the Patriots secondary does not fool Manning anymore and bringing the LB's in to blitz will leave Clark/Utech wide open down the middle of the field.
KEY MATCHUP:
Colts WR vs. Patriots DB's. Will the physical play by the NE secondary be enough to stop Harrison and Wayne? Will they be allowed to play physical?
SPECIAL TEAMS:
ADVANTAGE: Patriots
Newcomer Stephen Gostkowski missed just 5 FG's during the regular season and officially paid his post-season dues last week in San Diego. Former NE icon Adam Vinatieri is now a member of the Colts. Edge to Indy here but that's where it ends.
KEY MATCHUP:
Wilkins vs. NE return team
The Colts averaged 9.0 yards per punt return during the regular season. The Patriots averaged 11.7 yards per punt return. The Colts averaged 23.6 yards per kick return. The Patriots averaged 26.8 yards per kick return. In the post season, it's all about field position. And while most people think Special Teams is just about kickers, it's not. The NE Patriots have a CLEAR edge in both return games.
FINAL SAY:
Colts 31
Patriots 23
I think both teams struggle in the first half offensively. A 10-10 tie going into the break sounds about right. Colts offense breaks out in the second half (per usual) and does just enough to secure a victory.
Manning: 28-38 for 279 2TD's, 1INT.
Addai: 21 rushes, 64 yards, 2TD.
Rhodes, 13 rushes, 36 yards.
Harrison: 6 catches, 66 yards, 1TD.
Wayne: 4 catches, 70 yards.
Clark: 5 catches, 53 yards, 1TD.
(Others fill the totals)
Brady: 24-31, 303 yards, 2TD's.
Dillon: 11 rushes, 63 yards.
Maroney: 17 rushes, 74 yards.
Faulk: 4 rushes, 11 yards.
Gaffney: 7 catches, 97 yards, 1TD.
Caldwell: 4 catches, 82 yards.
Graham: 2 catches, 7 yards. 1TD.
Brown: 5 catches, 27 yards.
(Others fill the totals)