AFC Championship Game: Patriots @ Colts

[st.cronin]

Let the hype begin.

:D

[Abe Sargent]

How many times do they have to meet before we call them the greatest post-seaon rivalry in AFC history?

[Greyroofoo]

The Patsies aren't making it out of the RCA dome alive.

[Buccaneer]

Really looking forward to this game. Two great QBs matching wits. Both need to be on their game though, Peyton can't be throwing INTs and Brady can't be throwing like a girl.

[timmynausea]

It'll be interesting to see the line on this one. I'd guess the Colts will favored slightly because of home field advantage.

[st.cronin]

This game will settle once and for all which is the more overrated conference, the Big 10 or the SEC.

[Greyroofoo]

This game will settle once and for all which is the more overrated conference, the Big 10 or the SEC.

you also have the Saints/Bears game too

[st.cronin]

It'll be interesting to see the line on this one. I'd guess the Colts will favored slightly because of home field advantage.

I'm guessing Colts -1.

[Ben E Lou]

How many times do they have to meet before we call them the greatest post-seaon rivalry in AFC history?

Swann, Stallworth, Atkinson, Tatum. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

[timmynausea]

Really, Brady and Manning should get together and agree to settle this like men and not even allow running backs into the game.

[molson]

I can't wait. I actually found myself rooting for the Colts in the postseason thus far, because it was just annoying somehow that everyone wrote them off.

[Desnudo]

Who is playing worse right now, Brady or Manning?

[Flasch186]

unreal that they will match up again, if Peyton loses it'll be written on his tombstone that "Tom Brady is my daddy"

[Joe]

Who is playing worse right now, Brady or Manning?

Brady

[st.cronin]

Brady

This week I agree.

[SirFozzie]

The Patsies aren't making it out of the RCA dome alive.

Hey Grey. want to renew the Sig Bet? :D

[Greyroofoo]

Hey Grey. want to renew the Sig Bet? :D

I would but you already have your sig.

[SirFozzie]

Maybe one of my fellow Pat fans will step up :)

[Abe Sargent]

Swann, Stallworth, Atkinson, Tatum. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

That's why I asked how many?

[Deattribution]

How many times do they have to meet before we call them the greatest post-seaon rivalry in AFC history?

The Colts would, I don't know, have to actually win a game, to make it a rivalry :)

Hoping they can do it this year.

[st.cronin]

The Colts would, I don't know, have to actually win a game, to make it a rivalry :)

Hoping they can do it this year.

What's a better rivalry, Pats-Colts, or a hammer and a nail?

[Draft Dodger]

The Patsies aren't making it out of the RCA dome alive.

probably not. they really struggle in these types of big games

[SirFozzie]

Oh man, I'm staying out of this trash talking. Too much bad karma to be earned, and we need all the help we can get :)

[Deattribution]

Oh man, I'm staying out of this trash talking. Too much bad karma to be earned, and we need all the help we can get :)

Try writing a letter thanking Eli Manning, I hear it does wonders :)

[Desnudo]

Maybe one of my fellow Pat fans will step up :)

I actually think the Colts have a great chance at winning this game. I think the Pats whammy on them has been broken. I think it'll take a little luck for the Pats to win. So, no, I won't take that bet. :)

[Deattribution]

It should be yet another really good game in what has been overall a great playoffs with alot of close games down to the last second.

[McSweeny]

i'm going to need the week to recover from tonight

god

[Crapshoot]

Colts > Patriots. Without the mugging of the receivers, I'd have to put my money on the Colts. Plus, they have Vinateri.

[WVUFAN]

Manning -- 1 TD, 5 picks
Brady -- 4 TD, 3 picks.

Which one is playing better in this year's playoffs again?

[st.cronin]

Manning -- 1 TD, 5 picks
Brady -- 4 TD, 3 picks.

Which one is playing better in this year's playoffs again?

Brady was godawful today, except for maybe 3 passes in the 4th quarter.

Honestly, it was like watching Hugh Millen.

[beargrowlz]

Tommy Hodson

[KevinNU7]

Brady is so good he only throws picks that he knows Troy Brown will steal away for first downs.

[cougarfreak]

This game will settle once and for all which is the more overrated conference, the Big 10 or the SEC.

No, if this was the BCS, they would have skipped all of these unnecessary games and just let Chicago and San Diego play in the title game.

[Lathum]

Is there any doubt the patriots are gonna win when Vinatieri misses a last second field goal and exposes Belichick's evil scheme

[Abe Sargent]

Is there any doubt the patriots are gonna win when Vinatieri misses a last second field goal and exposes Belichick's evil scheme

How very pro westling of you.

[RedKingGold]

Is there any doubt the patriots are gonna win when Vinatieri misses a last second field goal and exposes Belichick's evil scheme

In a perfect world, the Patriot's kicker (Godletewski or something) tweaks a hamstring during the 4th quarter and Vanderjagt comes down from the stands to the sideline with Hulkamania music blowing throughout the RCA Dome and clips a 61-yarder for the Patriots to send them to the Super Bowl.

EDIT: That was one hell of a run-on sentence.

[ISiddiqui]

Vinateri wins it for the Colts. He sticks it to the Pats and Manning gets the monkey off his back. The momentum goes through to the SuperBowl and a movie gets made of it 10 years later.

[st.cronin]

Vinny Testaverde wins it on a drop kick.

[Daimyo]

I'm looking forward to this game more than any game i can remember. The Colt's finally figured out how to beat the Pats in the regular season and for the first time the playoff matchup will happen in the dome. I think the Pats are the better team overall this year, but I expect the RCA Dome to be absolutely insane and that will be enough of an advantage to get the Colts to the Super Bowl.

[stevew]

Swann, Stallworth, Atkinson, Tatum. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

Yeah, for reals....get some perspective.

[stevew]

At least MartyBall, and the steroid defense lost.

I do respect LT a lot, and I think Rivers is going to be a great as well.

[TroyF]

I want the Colts to win, but this isn't a rivalry until they actually do it.

Brady was horrible today, but the Chargers have a pretty damned good defense. I don't think the Colts are quite as good in that regard. On the other hand, Brady is throwing to a bunch of no talent guys to throw to (outside of Watson and an aging Brown) and he has no deep threat at all.

If the Patriots can get their running game going, the Colts are in for a tough one. But if they can stop the run, get the Pats into some 3rd and 7+ yard situations, they have a very good shot at forcing some turnovers and making life very miserable for Brady.

As for Manning, this is his shot. He's got the Patriots at home. He's playing pretty poorly, but this is a winnable game. It's sad, because this past week was a HUGE game and he came through when it counted for the win. If he loses this game, it's all forgotten about and the people who say he sucks will have a field day.

He needs this game and he needs it badly.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

I can't believe we're doing this all over again! Admittedly, I'm a little nervous. You have to call it a pick'em (but I mean I do like B&B getting a team for the second time in a season). But, man, this is what the NFL is all about. What's crazier is the winner gets to play CHI or NO for the Superbowl. Can you all believe there is a really good chance that Peyton will win a SB or the Pats will win 4 in 6 years -- this is just fuc%in' crazy!!!

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Manning -- 1 TD, 5 picks
Brady -- 4 TD, 3 picks.

Which one is playing better in this year's playoffs again?

If not for Ray Lewis, Manning would be 1 TD and 7 picks! Ouch!

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Is there any doubt the patriots are gonna win when Vinatieri misses a last second field goal and exposes Belichick's evil scheme

I have already uncovered this scheme almost a year ago (post 49):

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=48224&page=2&highlight=vinatieri

It was very obvious when he signed for Indy, and the two of them already showed their hand when Vinatieri missed two FGs (30 and 45-yarders) in their prior game this season.

[kingfc22]

Hell yea. I can't wait to see Manning on the sideline watching Brady celebrate. AGAIN!

[jeff061]

Wow, I think that may very well be the first accurate and seemingly objective take on a Pats game TroyF has posted, ever.

[gstelmack]

Maybe one of my fellow Pat fans will step up :)

I'm willing. I've badmouthed Manning enough in the past, if he (and Dungy) can make it to the Super Bowl this year they deserve some space in my sig.

I think this could be a great game between the two. Of course, with New England's penchant for winning playoff games by 3 points every time, they're all great games ;)

[Lorena]

Try writing a letter thanking Eli Manning, I hear it does wonders :)

Ouch, but funny :D

[Raiders Army]

I think Manning has a very good shot at this game. He also has the confidence of winning against the Pats at home and the Pats are coming off a week where they fly from the West Coast to flying to Indiana. My dislike of Peyton Manning aside, I actually wouldn't mind seeing him win this game. I also wouldn't mind the Patriots winning this game either.

That being said, the real winners next weekend are us the viewers. At least on paper...

[bulletsponge]

I think Manning has a very good shot at this game. He also has the confidence of winning against the Pats at home and the Pats are coming off a week where they fly from the West Coast to flying to Indiana. My dislike of Peyton Manning aside, I actually wouldn't mind seeing him win this game. I also wouldn't mind the Patriots winning this game either.

That being said, the real winners next weekend are us the viewers. At least on paper...

Yes were the winners, cause the Raiders are nowhere to be seen

[timmynausea]

Looks like the line is Colts -3.

[Butter]

This is really the set-up we've been waiting for. If Peyton can't do it now, he might as well forget it.

[spleen1015]

Lombardi is coming to Indy! Yes, the Lombardi trophy!

[rkmsuf]

Someone asked me this question. I have no idea.

What's the contingency plan if the Pats plane crashes on the way home? Colts get a bye? Cancel the season?

[molson]

Someone asked me this question. I have no idea.

What's the contingency plan if the Pats plane crashes on the way home? Colts get a bye? Cancel the season?

Using Ultimate Fighting Tournament theory, I think they'd put the Chargers in the spot.

[JAG]

Someone asked me this question. I have no idea.

What's the contingency plan if the Pats plane crashes on the way home? Colts get a bye? Cancel the season?

Well, assuming a minority owner (if there is one) wasn't on the plane, he could sign their practice squad and 45 street free agents, hire a coach or two to coach em up, and put them on the field for the AFC Championship. And if they won, it would probably mirror some already-existing made-for-tv movie.

[EagleFan]

How many times do they have to meet before we call them the greatest post-seaon rivalry in AFC history?

Not much of a rivalry. Sort of like a 16 year old playing his 8 year old brother at basketball, a foregone conclusion. ;)

[EagleFan]

Lombardi is coming to Indy! Yes, the Lombardi trophy!

Did Manning retire or are the Colts going to break into the Superdome to steal it overnight?

[Raiders Army]

Yes were the winners, cause the Raiders are nowhere to be seen

Yep. Kick us when we're down.

[stevew]

From another board.
Just heard on ESPN Radio......staggering statistic. Tom Brady had 50+ pass attempts yesterday. Of the previous 25 teams whose QB's had 50+ passes in a playoff game the combined record of those teams is:

0-25

This proves once again that Germans love Tom Brady.

[rkmsuf]

Just heard on ESPN Radio......staggering statistic. Tom Brady had 50+ pass attempts yesterday. Of the previous 25 teams whose QB's had 50+ passes in a playoff game the combined record of those teams is:

0-25




From another board.


This proves once again that Germans love Tom Brady.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WCG5U1uNRkM

[Lathum]

Someone asked me this question. I have no idea.

What's the contingency plan if the Pats plane crashes on the way home? Colts get a bye? Cancel the season?

Tom Brady saves everyone then beats the Colts from his wheelchair.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qn60e96baOI&mode=related&search=

I could seem the game going this way. It should read postseason, not preseason.

[wade moore]

I think no matter what, this will be a good game.

I'm of course rooting for the Colts, but I think it's going to be tough. I'm hoping that Peyton is due for a big game after several bad games, but we'll see... at the same time I'd be shocked if the Colts D can hold off the run for a third week in a row.

[INDalltheway]

The Colts should be able to stop Dillon except around the goal line. Maroney is the one that scares me a lot. Bob Sanders played in the regular season game, and he is honestly the biggest addition this team could have gotten for the postseason. Also, Rob Morris playing at the strong linebacker has been huge for us.

Manning can't play 3 bad games in a row. With saying that, I can see him playing well and us losing. Very scared but I can't wait for this game on Sunday! I can't forget to say screw all the Manning haters. Get a life and put as much effort into liking a player as you do hating Manning.

[gstelmack]

Get a life and put as much effort into liking a player as you do hating Manning.

We do. His name is Tom Brady :D

[Noble_Platypus]

I have to admit, I am a huge Colts fan and Thus a huge Manning fan. Having said that I dont get people who hate Peyton Manning. If you hate the Colts team, thats one thing but to hate the Colts because of Manning doesnt compute with me. He is a class guy, the prototype of what you want from your QB as far as work ethic and study habits. He doesnt have aTO or Randy Moss attitude.I even get the guys who say they are tired of him being in so many commercials, but I just cant see why somebody would hate him.

[WelshWizard]

Tom Brady is also Jack Bauer.

[WelshWizard]

I have to admit, I am a huge Colts fan and Thus a huge Manning fan. Having said that I dont get people who hate Peyton Manning. If you hate the Colts team, thats one thing but to hate the Colts because of Manning doesnt compute with me. He is a class guy, the prototype of what you want from your QB as far as work ethic and study habits. He doesnt have aTO or Randy Moss attitude.I even get the guys who say they are tired of him being in so many commercials, but I just cant see why somebody would hate him.

I am not a Manning fan, would not say a hater because i think he is a great QB that cannot win the big one (reminds me of Dan Marino). Anyway i think what irritates me about Manning is what makes me like Tom Brady so much, when Manning throws a touchdown he pumps his fist and walks off the field (ok nothing wrong with that). However Brady scores, pumps fist head butts each offensive lineman and is first down into the endzone to congratulate his receiver. Brady's teamates love him and work hard for him, not sure same can be said for Manning's teamates. He whines to his players and never seems to congratulate them as if to say it was all me. Sorry just my opinion. I would be in full agreement with you on Manning's work ethic, and i love his commercials, especially the one where him, his brother and father are touring the ESPN studios.

OK Yes i am a Patriots fan.

[wade moore]

I am not a Manning fan, would not say a hater because i think he is a great QB that cannot win the big one (reminds me of Dan Marino). Anyway i think what irritates me about Manning is what makes me like Tom Brady so much, when Manning throws a touchdown he pumps his fist and walks off the field (ok nothing wrong with that). However Brady scores, pumps fist head butts each offensive lineman and is first down into the endzone to congratulate his receiver. Brady's teamates love him and work hard for him, not sure same can be said for Manning's teamates. He whines to his players and never seems to congratulate them as if to say it was all me. Sorry just my opinion. I would be in full agreement with you on Manning's work ethic, and i love his commercials, especially the one where him, his brother and father are touring the ESPN studios.

OK Yes i am a Patriots fan.

His players don't work hard for him? Really? Can you actually be serious?

[molson]

I have to admit, I am a huge Colts fan and Thus a huge Manning fan. Having said that I dont get people who hate Peyton Manning. If you hate the Colts team, thats one thing but to hate the Colts because of Manning doesnt compute with me. He is a class guy, the prototype of what you want from your QB as far as work ethic and study habits. He doesnt have aTO or Randy Moss attitude.I even get the guys who say they are tired of him being in so many commercials, but I just cant see why somebody would hate him.

The one thing that annoyed me about Manning is in early years he always seemed to go out of his way to show that an interception was the fault of one of his receivers - using exasperated hand motions, etc. I admit I haven't seen him do that in recent years, but the dislike has stuck around.

[kingfc22]

Tom Brady is also Jack Bauer.

We need a QOTM.

[st.cronin]

Manning has a reputation for blaming his teammates when things go wrong. Just because most of the time it actually is their fault doesn't mean he's right for doing so. I wouldn't be surprised at all to find out that he was deeply disliked by his teammates.

[wade moore]

Manning has a reputation for blaming his teammates when things go wrong. Just because most of the time it actually is their fault doesn't mean he's right for doing so. I wouldn't be surprised at all to find out that he was deeply disliked by his teammates.


I challenge the people making these claims to find where he has done this besides his quotes after the playoff loss last year.

I've watched many Manning games and watched a lot of coverage of him, and I just haven't seen this. After plays he talks to guys sometimes, yeah, all QB's do. But the only time I know that he has publicly said anything was after the playoff game last year. And the idiot kicker thing, but that's totally different.

[WelshWizard]

His players don't work hard for him? Really? Can you actually be serious?

Yes, do not confuse what i say though with Colts players not working hard. They obviously do or they would not be as good as they are, but i do think that there is a difference between Brady and his team vs Manning and his team.

I am sure you have worked hard wherever you have worked but you have worked for people that you have maybe given a little more of yourself than you have for others. Some have maybe gotten more out of you and made you feel good about what you are doing?

Now silly example but i don't know how else to explain it, Brady is a better leader and gets the most out of his players. Manning is a great Quarterback that just cannot get it done. Maybe he will this weekend.

[Noble_Platypus]

I agree. If you are going to make the statement he "does it all of the time" you should have some instances. I am a Colts fan and I agree with Wade. What made him talking about poor blocking last year was the fact he never says things like that.

[wade moore]

I am not a Manning fan, would not say a hater because i think he is a great QB that cannot win the big one (reminds me of Dan Marino). Anyway i think what irritates me about Manning is what makes me like Tom Brady so much, when Manning throws a touchdown he pumps his fist and walks off the field (ok nothing wrong with that). However Brady scores, pumps fist head butts each offensive lineman and is first down into the endzone to congratulate his receiver. Brady's teamates love him and work hard for him, not sure same can be said for Manning's teamates. He whines to his players and never seems to congratulate them as if to say it was all me. Sorry just my opinion. I would be in full agreement with you on Manning's work ethic, and i love his commercials, especially the one where him, his brother and father are touring the ESPN studios.

OK Yes i am a Patriots fan.

Yes, do not confuse what i say though with Colts players not working hard. They obviously do or they would not be as good as they are, but i do think that there is a difference between Brady and his team vs Manning and his team.

I am sure you have worked hard wherever you have worked but you have worked for people that you have maybe given a little more of yourself than you have for others. Some have maybe gotten more out of you and made you feel good about what you are doing?

Now silly example but i don't know how else to explain it, Brady is a better leader and gets the most out of his players. Manning is a great Quarterback that just cannot get it done. Maybe he will this weekend.

Umm.. you pretty clearly said that Manning's players do not work hard fo rhim.

Just because you need your leader to give you a pat on the ass every time you do your job, doesn't mean these NFL players do. I just see no proof that your claims are accurate. For instance - Manning has consistently been one of the least sacked QB's in the league. Is that because his linemen just don't care if he gets hit since he's such a jerk.

Sorry, I just get very irritated at the myth that surrounds the Manning hatred out there. I don't agree with the "he's not a winner" argument, but at least there is some logic there... Most of the other stuff is just utter garbage - like this.

[MizzouRah]

Colts by 3, I think I'll take the Pats.

Colts win by 1-2 points. Now that I post this, I'm sure I'm way off, but so far I've won every bet vs my dad and I know he'll take the Colts and give me 3 points.

[WelshWizard]

I agree. If you are going to make the statement he "does it all of the time" you should have some instances. I am a Colts fan and I agree with Wade. What made him talking about poor blocking last year was the fact he never says things like that.


My point exactly though it may have only been one comment and only after a major dissapointing loss. That kind of comment about the guys that cover his ass from hitting the turf will always stick with them. He should have kept his mouth shut, if he was a true leader he would have. However he chose to show up his offensive linemen in public. I am not saying that was not a reason but you just don't show up your teamates like that.

[st.cronin]

And the idiot kicker thing, but that's totally different.

Why is it different, just because it was funny? I thought, and still think, that that reflects incredibly badly on Manning.

[WelshWizard]

Sorry, I just get very irritated at the myth that surrounds the Manning hatred out there. I don't agree with the "he's not a winner" argument, but at least there is some logic there... Most of the other stuff is just utter garbage - like this.

Hey just my opinion. No need to be sorry you have yours and i have mine.

[wade moore]

Why is it different, just because it was funny? I thought, and still think, that that reflects incredibly badly on Manning.

Because it was a defensive comment where Vanderjagt took the first shot.

Edit: Not saying that makes it right, just different.

[wade moore]

Hey just my opinion. No need to be sorry you have yours and i have mine.

But it's more than an opinion. What I'm saying is proven on the field, what you're saying is not.

I could state the opinion that "Tom Brady hates Corey Dillon"... that doesn't make it valid because there is no proof to that fact.

[molson]

But it's more than an opinion. What I'm saying is proven on the field, what you're saying is not.

I could state the opinion that "Tom Brady hates Corey Dillon"... that doesn't make it valid because there is no proof to that fact.

It's not a court of law though, people can state their perceptions.

Patriots fans should relate to this though - every time the Pats are successful, the haters come out in full force, whining about the refs, the Pats having no class, the Pats getting lucky breaks. If you're successful, others will try to bring you down, whoever you are.

I strongly dislike Manning (in a celebrity football player sense, nothing personal), but realize that the dislike is based on exaggerated perceptions, etc. It probably just makes the game more fun.

[Noble_Platypus]

Yeah, if Manning us disliked for the reasons listed above then there are virtually no players in the league that you like, since they all have said or done the same things and in most cases much worse.

[WelshWizard]

But it's more than an opinion. What I'm saying is proven on the field, what you're saying is not.

I could state the opinion that "Tom Brady hates Corey Dillon"... that doesn't make it valid because there is no proof to that fact.

What are you proving in your own comments that is proven on the field?

I ask you one question, i am sure you are a Colts fan? Going into this Sunday's game if you had a choice to lead your Colts against the Patriots, would you rather have Brady or Manning as your Quarterback?

[st.cronin]

It's not a court of law though, people can state their perceptions.

Patriots fans should relate to this though - every time the Pats are successful, the haters come out in full force, whining about the refs, the Pats having no class, the Pats getting lucky breaks. If you're successful, others will try to bring you down, whoever you are.

I strongly dislike Manning (in a celebrity football player sense, nothing personal), but realize that the dislike is based on exaggerated perceptions, etc. It probably just makes the game more fun.


+1

For all I know, he's a great guy who is loved by his teammates.

[wade moore]

What are you proving in your own comments that is proven on the field?

I ask you one question, i am sure you are a Colts fan? Going into this Sunday's game if you had a choice to lead your Colts against the Patriots, would you rather have Brady or Manning as your Quarterback?


I'm proving that his teammates around him have been some of the most successful players in the NFL for since Manning has joined the team. Players that don't work hard for their QB do not do that.

As for what QB - you need to understand that I'm a Colts fan because I'm a Manning fan (I'm a Tennessee Vols fan) so I would say Manning.

That being said, I'm not getting into the Manning vs. Brady debate.. I've said here many times that I think they are both great QB's that have their +'s and -'s... I only get into the "Manning is a jerk", "Manning can't win", "Manning sucks", etc. debates.

[DaddyTorgo]

according to withleather.com and the boston herald tom brady's new squeeze is Gisele !

hxxp://withleather.com/post.phtml?pk=1919
hxxp://thetrack.bostonherald.com/moreTrack/view.bg?articleid=177359

more details in the 2nd article
some guys have all the luck!

[BishopMVP]

I'm proving that his teammates around him have been some of the most successful players in the NFL for since Manning has joined the team. Players that don't work hard for their QB do not do that.Before I even get into the argument on this, there's a lot of reasons for players to work hard even if they don't like their QB/Coach/etc. Hundreds of thousands, even millions of them. Not to mention pride. Sometimes teams can even rally around their dislike of a coach/administration/something like that and use that as their chip on the shoulder to get better and prove themself. (I know I did it once in lacrosse - the captain was a dick and I wasn't playing as much as I wanted to, but instead of saying forget it and quitting on the team as a whole, I worked my ass off and took his starting spot the next year.)

As for the particular "Manning vs. his teammates" I think it's less about what he says post-game and more about his reaction right after interceptions. Poor body-language, showing up his receivers by using hand motions to show what route they should have taken/read they should have made, the obvious disgust on his face not at himself but at what his teammates did. To his credit, it seems he's stopped doing that as much this year when I've seen him, and it may even have been exaggerated before that just because a good amount of time I saw him he was struggling against the Pats or by the media. (Pats fans will probably recall the huge furor in the media over Brady's body language the first couple games this year, which as a fan was pretty obviously much ado about nothing.) The other thing that Manning has improved is his ability to move and create a little/maintain composure and accuracy when the pocket collapses, which scares the hell out of me because that's pretty much what our entire defensive scheme involved that worked so well in '03 and '04 (well, that and snow/cold weather.)

I have no idea how to predict this game. As bad as the Pats/Brady played when Indy came in early season, we still only lost 27-20 and still had chances to pull it out in classic New England game winning FG style. I don't think we'll play that bad again, but if anything we played worse on offense last week vs. SD. On the Indy side, I don't think their defense can play nearly as well as it has the last couple weeks, but I also don't think their offense can play nearly as badly. At least one should revert back to form, and I'm rooting for the porous defense (run Maroney to the outside if they have 8 in the box and Rob Morris at MLB, and run some play-action to deep throws to try and hit 1-2/force the Colts out of the 8 in the box scheme. Every time we do the Larry Johnson/Jamal Lewis run up the gut at 8 in the box I will throw things at the TV. Even if it works.) One more thing - I'm sure the media/commentators/casual fans(read:women) will love talking about the Vinatieri angle, but I really don't see much difference in the kicking games. The thing that made Vinatieri great in NE wasn't any "clutch" factor (FTR, I fall into the school of thought that there is no such thing as clutch where players improve under pressure, but there definitely is an anti-clutch where players think too much and get scared, like A-Rod and Vanderjagt. If you want to argue that some innate clutchness made that 51-yarder bounce forward instead of backward off the crossbar, go ahead.) it was that he was the best in the game at kicking in the cold/bad weather so common in NE in January. In the dome, that won't matter, and Gostkowski has the clear advantage in leg strength/kickoff distance.

[k0ruptr]

I think Manning has a very good shot at this game. He also has the confidence of winning against the Pats at home and the Pats are coming off a week where they fly from the West Coast to flying to Indiana. My dislike of Peyton Manning aside, I actually wouldn't mind seeing him win this game. I also wouldn't mind the Patriots winning this game either.

That being said, the real winners next weekend are us the viewers. At least on paper...

Uhm , can anyone tell me why Manning would have confidence against the Patriots at home? I tried to look it up, and it sure seems like they have a losing record against the patriots at home in the last 5-7 years. How that infuses confidence, I have no idea. lol

[wade moore]

Uhm , can anyone tell me why Manning would have confidence against the Patriots at home? I tried to look it up, and it sure seems like they have a losing record against the patriots at home in the last 5-7 years. How that infuses confidence, I have no idea. lolLooking on NFL.com, 2002-2006 they've only played one game in the dome, which the Colts lost 34-38 in 2003.

[INDalltheway]

Uhm , can anyone tell me why Manning would have confidence against the Patriots at home? I tried to look it up, and it sure seems like they have a losing record against the patriots at home in the last 5-7 years. How that infuses confidence, I have no idea. lol
Just because Colt Brennen sucks. That's all.

[Greyroofoo]

Uhm , can anyone tell me why Manning would have confidence against the Patriots at home? I tried to look it up, and it sure seems like they have a losing record against the patriots at home in the last 5-7 years. How that infuses confidence, I have no idea. lol

I think winning the last two games between these teams is all you need to get confidence.

[rkmsuf]

Not that he will pick them but wouldn't Dan Marino secretly be rooting for the Pats in this game? I mean I figure he'd prefer not to be alone in the "greatest QB never to sniff a title club." He'd have to be elated for Manning to join him.

[Ksyrup]

Given that Manning and/or Favre will own every meaningful record of Marino's, perhaps he'd rather keep something for himself and would want Manning to win. If Manning wins, Marino's only competition is Jim Kelly.

[Desnudo]

Uhm , can anyone tell me why Manning would have confidence against the Patriots at home? I tried to look it up, and it sure seems like they have a losing record against the patriots at home in the last 5-7 years. How that infuses confidence, I have no idea. lol

Personally, I think Manning is going to light the Pats safeties up. If Harrison and Wilson were playing, I'd favor the Patriots. But I have a bad feeling there's going to be a couple of really long tds in this one.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Nah, over this season, I haven't noticed much drop off at all in coverage by the safeties between Harrison/Wilson and Hawkins/Sanders. Perhaps a little is lost in tackling with Harrison out, but Sanders has been doing alright.

I'm actually more concerned with Hobbs' ability to cover Wayne.

[rkmsuf]

Nah, over this season, I haven't noticed much drop off at all in coverage by the safeties between Harrison/Wilson and Hawkins/Sanders. Perhaps a little is lost in tackling with Harrison out, but Sanders has been doing alright.

the D line has been so good that the Pats can play more guys back

[Coffee Warlord]

Lombardi is coming to Indy! Yes, the Lombardi trophy!

Does the trophy's flight to Chicago have a layover in Indy or something?

[BishopMVP]

Nah, over this season, I haven't noticed much drop off at all in coverage by the safeties between Harrison/Wilson and Hawkins/Sanders. Perhaps a little is lost in tackling with Harrison out, but Sanders has been doing alright.

I'm actually more concerned with Hobbs' ability to cover Wayne.
Wilson had already lost his starting job to Hawkins before he got injured. The Harrison/Sanders drop-off does hurt a bit in run support.

[Desnudo]

Does the trophy's flight to Chicago have a layover in Indy or something?

Miami to Indy to Chicago to Boston seems like a really strange flight route