AFC Championship Game : Patriots vs. Colts -- Pre-Game Thread

[phil112]

Pagano called the NFL to learn more about the Four OL formation. http://nesn.com/2015/01/chuck-pagano-calls-nfl-to-learn-more-about-patriots-four-ol-formation/

He had to ask. He has to be prepared.
This illustrates the glaring difference between Belichick and the rest of the herd. Bill is practicing his game plan and the other coach is trying to draw one up.

 

[JackBauer]

Colts went into Denver and won a playoff game. More than the Patriots can say...

What was it the Colts did that made it so Manning couldn't hit the broad side of a barn?

After being too bullish on the Pats vs. Ravens, I've dialed down to cautious optimism on this one. I think Indy will score points, but I don't see the physicality on defense that can and has given this team fits. Vontae Davis is terrific, but I think Landry can be exploited in the passing game.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

He had to ask. He has to be prepared.
This illustrates the glaring difference between Belichick and the rest of the herd. Bill is practicing his game plan and the other coach is trying to draw one up.

Patriots wont run this formation this game. Pagano and colts will spend time preparing for it when they should concentrate on other things.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

What was it the Colts did that made it so Manning couldn't hit the broad side of a barn?

After being too bullish on the Pats vs. Ravens, I've dialed down ....

I believe it is more to do with Manning's injury than anything else.

On your dial down: think you represent most of the fans on this forum.

Think a good % were confident about a blowout and most (including me) were thinking about a double-digit margin in the victory. Granted, some might claim that the refs played a role but then I am just going by how tough the game was and the final score.

I just want two more consecutive wins. Don't care about style, creativity, margin of victory or anything else. Just want the Pats to hold the SB trophy next month as the true winner they are.

 

[phil112]

Patriots wont run this formation this game. Pagano and colts will spend time preparing for it when they should concentrate on other things.

That's right. Pagano is going to have ulcers trying to figure out, and worrying about, what the Pats have waiting for him.

 

[Uncle Rico]

He had to ask. He has to be prepared.
This illustrates the glaring difference between Belichick and the rest of the herd. Bill is practicing his game plan and the other coach is trying to draw one up.

The way I heard it he asked Saturday night in case Denver ran it Sunday. Smart move.

 

[PP2]

What was it the Colts did that made it so Manning couldn't hit the broad side of a barn?

Closed up the middle and forced him to throw to the outside. e.g., the type of throws that require more torque than simple over the middle completions..

 

[PP2]

Watching the replay on NFLN, Kline is getting murdered. Responsible for 3 hits, 1 sacks on Brady just in the 2nd quarter. He is easily bull-rushed because he simply can't get good pad level.

 

[PP2]

And yes I am hating on Kline. I blame him for everything from world poverty, climate change, to my sporadic wi-fi connection.

 

[Marqui]

Watching the replay on NFLN, Kline is getting murdered. Responsible for 3 hits, 1 sacks on Brady just in the 2nd quarter. He is easily bull-rushed because he simply can't get good pad level.

That guy is atrocious, this Stock injury really might do it for the Pats I'm afraid to say. I hope they at least try Flemming a G, can't be much worse.

 

[Kdo5]

That guy is atrocious, this Stock injury really might do it for the Pats I'm afraid to say. I hope they at least try Flemming a G, can't be much worse.

I think we can muster decent enough protection to get past the Colts. If we get to the Seahawks? Yeah that will be a concern. But one game at a time

 

[Huckleberry1]

What was it the Colts did that made it so Manning couldn't hit the broad side of a barn?

After being too bullish on the Pats vs. Ravens, I've dialed down to cautious optimism on this one. I think Indy will score points, but I don't see the physicality on defense that can and has given this team fits. Vontae Davis is terrific, but I think Landry can be exploited in the passing game.

I agree. My biggest concern is another bad start that leaves them deep in a hole that Brady has to dig them out of and nullifies their run game. The Colts have to feel good after knocking off Denver and are playing with house money. The Patriots have been the better team this season but that in no way guarantees a win. The Patriots need to get out in front and keep their boots on the Colts necks all night long.

 

[PP2]

Ravens run game completely dominant, their cut blocking rampant. Don't see this happening with the Colts.

One on one blocking pretty tough- stunts pretty much every other play. Vollmer playing lights out. Again, don't see this with the Colts. Brady should have much more time in the pocket.

 

[TBR]

I think we win if we don't turn it over + force at least 1 from the Colts

Luck INT(s), Herron fumble (helmet to ball, strip)

Would be nice to see Revis get an INT

 

[Ring 6]

He had to ask. He has to be prepared.
This illustrates the glaring difference between Belichick and the rest of the herd. Bill is practicing his game plan and the other coach is trying to draw one up.

This is wrong.
Pagano called the league Sunday before playing Denver so he understood the rule in case Denver used it.

 

[Sicilian]

I know Denver has a good run defense, but I didn't see anything from Herron or the Colts' run game that scared me. I'll be disappointed if we aren't able to contain their rush easily.

 

[Kontradiction]

Give them a heavy dose of the run game again. Make Indy demonstrate they can now stop it. Use that to open up Gronk, Wright, and Amendola down the seam or Edelman and LaFell outside the numbers on play action. The Colts don't have the beef up front to be able to stop us from getting big and physically pounding them.

 

[juny]

So anybody on the Colts interior DL to be worried about? Seeing Kline or any backup in there has to be a concern.

 

[patsfan-1982]

That guy is atrocious, this Stock injury really might do it for the Pats I'm afraid to say. I hope they at least try Flemming a G, can't be much worse.

is bryan stork done for the year ? or could he come if they get to the SB I have not heard anything that would suck big time if his done for the year

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Christopher Price ?@cpriceNFL 4m4 minutes ago
Per @footballzebras, Walt Anderson will work as referee for Pats-Colts.