But this game is about more than a classic quarterback rivalry. It's about two of the best offensive units ever going head-to-head to virtually claim the home field for when they meet again in the playoffs. It's about two teams, neither of which can be stopped, each trying to put up a road block for the other, the winner almost surely to be the first undefeated team in 25 years. On one side of the field is Tony Dungy, the NFL's most beloved coach, facing off against Bill Belichick, the most reviled, controversial coach in the league. In the most anticipated regular season NFL game ever, the #1* Patriots match up versus the #2* Colts, to decide which is the better team(for at least the next 10 weeks). *according to most expert opinionsThere is no way to calculate stats from 1-2 matchups in pro football. However, there have been 39 1-2 matchups in college due to the fact that college teams get ranked. The topped ranked team is 22-14-2. During the regular season, that number becomes 14-6-2. (In bowl games, the #1 team is 9-8, so whoever wins this match should watch out for revenge in the playoffs.) The road team is 8-8-1 at non-neutral sites. But if you are someone who considers the Colts the better team, when the #1 team hosts, they are 7-0. So statistically, the Patriots have a decent advantage.
However, we should all know by now that it doesn't matter who has the advantage. Anything can happen at any time. Here's what each team needs to do to win:
WHY THE PATRIOTS WILL WIN:
They are possibly the most prolific offense ever. And they have the defense to match as well. They've put up an average of over 41 points per game giving up less than 16 per. Against the Colts defense, they have to utilize Wes Welker to his maximum potential, if they aren't already. The Colts defense likes to always cover deep. While this doesn't take away the potential of the Randy Moss deep threat, it opens up the middle of the field for Welker. With a constant 3-receiver set, the Patriots will throw all day over the middle of the field, and successfully as well. Keep in mind Donte Stallworth is excellent on the short slant. They will also benefit from Marvin Harrison being out of the game. He is considered a "game-time decision" but hasn't practiced all week and has been told it would be smart to sit. Without Harrison, the Patriots will put Asante Samuel on Reggie Wayne. Samuel is the league's top shutdown corner and Wayne is the Colts top pass option. Even if Harrison plays, the Patriot secondary will be able to limit him and his lingering knee injury. The Colts will put up the points, but it will be no match for the Patriots.
Patriots 41, Colts 35
WHY THE COLTS WILL WIN:
Keep in mind the Colts won the Super Bowl last year. And they only got better in the off-season. They have a defense with the fewest passing yards allowed(165.4) and the second fewest points allowed (14.6) per game. They play a two-deep coverage defense to eliminate the big plays Brady likes to make. It will make Brady throw short, thus limiting the amount of points they can score. Bob Sanders and Antoine Bethea are two of the leagues toughest safeties. They know what they have to do to win, and they will get it done. In last year's AFC Championship Game, Manning ran a no-huddle, hurry up attack the entire game. He will try and get that going again because a slow start in this game will mean they have to play catch up. And nobody wants to play catch up in this game. Early on, their main focus will be Joseph Addai and opening up play-action passing. The Colts will want to drain as much time as possible from every drive to keep the Patriots offense off the field. Though Harrison has not practiced this week, it may be a ploy to keep the Patriots off their game. They said he could have played last week and he should be good to go by game time. With Harrison, Wayne and Dallas Clark, the Colts have the same offensive weapons as the Patriots. However, they have an edge with, arguably, the games best quarterback. While you can argue that, you cannot argue that he is the better game manager than Brady. Manning is never out of a game. This may be the only time when running up the score might be useful to the Patriots. However, with the Colts defense refusing to give up the big plays, they won't be able to. That, and the game's not on FOX.
Colts 38, Patriots 31
WHY THE PATRIOTS AND COLTS WILL TIE:
They can't. Each team is too good offensively to go 15 minutes in overtime without scoring. It is impossible. But it would be AWESOME!!!
Final Say: It will be a shootout. Whoever has the ball last is going to win. On the same hand, whoever gets the ball first will score first and force the other to play catch up. Neither offense can be stopped, even by these two strong defenses. The two teams combined will score over 80 points. Ultimately though, the Patriots have faced the Chargers, Cowboys, and Redskins, all of whose defenses were thought to be strong enough to contain them. But the Patriots scored 38, 48, and 52 points against them. PATRIOTS will win. It's time to accept the fact that nobody can stop them.
Next Week:
Joel Zumaya finds out he's Dick Cheney's cousin
...and more!!
No comments:
Post a Comment