5 Reasons why the Colts Won't win on Sunday

Well, you've read what Steve has to say on the subject, now heres my take...

As you probably know already, we're die-hards. Always behind our teams 150 percent. But we're from Boston, and being from Boston, well, there has been some let downs. Its ingrained into our psyche that at the first sign of adversity, its over. I mean how couldn't we, just look at the red sox, not to mention the Patriots never won a Super Bowl until 2001. We know that the sports Gods are very much against us. But some of us, after this past fall, have converted. Ladies and gentlemen, I am in no way discrediting my colleague here, but that last article was written by the same man who put 10 dollars up that the Sox wouldn't beat the Yanks. Well, one thing I learned from that historic event, is that in professional sports, its not over until, and to be cliche about it, the fat lady sings. Well im not quite ready to push that obese broad onto the stage just yet, and heres my reasons why:

1. The Post Season Records
Lets look at the facts. In the past three years, as we all know, the Pats have won the super bowl twice. That means that in that three year span, the Patriots have played in six post season games, going 6-0. That also means, Tom Brady, so far, is batting 1.000 is the playoffs. Lets turnt hat around and take a look at the Colts. Since 2001, the Colts have won only 3, and the Wonder boy didnt win a game in the post season until 2003. Hes been in the league since 1998.

2. Home, Sweet Home.
Since Gillette opened in 2002, the Pats are a DISGUSTING 23-3 at home. All time in the playoffs at home, they are 6-1. They just plain don't lose in their house. And You better believe that there will be 68, 756 people there ready to bring the noise, not to mention, as it looks right now, a high of 30 degrees. Peyton's record at Gillette Stadium? 0-2. Plus, what is he against the Patriots period, like 0 for life?

3. Football is a TEAM game...
This whole week, all I keep hearing about is Peyton Manning is so good blah blah blah. Well the last time I played football, the quarterback only throws the ball. Sure he's your fild general, but he doesnt do much else but throw the ball and hand it off. Peyton Manning doesnt get 40 carries a game. Peyton Manning doesnt have any stats for Yards after a catch. Peyton Mannig doesnt return kick or stuff holes at the line of scrimmage. People are making this guy out to be the next Jesus Christ. Let me tell everybody right n ow, if those receivers are covered, peyton manning throws for 150 yds. Tops. Plus , I think everyone forgets who we have at QB and have a new addition to our rushing attack. Cory Dillon has a Better total yards, yards per carry and more TDs than Edgerrin James.

4. Special Teams and Defense...
Building on the last reason, the Colts defense, to me, is nothing special, and the last time i checked Tom Brady and Cory Dillon are some pretty good players. The Patriots have more than enough weapons to pick apart the Colts Defense. In my opinion, the Patriots are going to be able to play the pass most of the game and still stop the Colts running game.

And #5. The Belichick Factor
The guy is the best coach in the league, bar-none. There is nobody in the game right now that is even CLOSE to him. Tony Dungy? Dude got booted out of Tampa for John Gruden. He's a terrible coach. For all those St Johns Prep grads out there, in my opinion, hes the Jim O'Leary of the NFL. Had two of the most talented teams the NFl had ever seen, with the 2001 Buccaneers, and the present day Colts, he still posted a mediocre record in the worst conference in the AFC. And Belichick is the proven guy. He Coached the Pats to two Super Bowl Championships with DECENT teams, not amazing. Hes a defensive genius and runs a pretty good offense too. He has the respect of his players and he instills a team philosophy. Its the intangibles, his mystique, that make him a top tier coach. and i think he will out-coach Tony Dungy on Sunday.

So what do we make out of this? Basically, I see the Patriots as an underdog going into this game. But thats nothing new to the World Champs. They never get any respect anyways. Listen, people want to make it out to be that Peyton is due, blah blah he deserves it blah blah. Well here the facts. Im still bitter over the whole Peyton Manning being put on a mantle thing here. ESPN's Bill Simmons makes the case basically by saying that ahlf of Peyton's 49 touchdowns were during garbage time. Times when other teams, good, smart teams would be runing the ball into the ground and not giving an inch. Throwing up 182 points ina four game span against the Titans, Lions, Bears, and Texans tells me nothing. Especially when their opponents combined scores were 59. That to me is showing no respect for the game of football, and no respect for your opponents. Peyton Manning isn't some superhero quarter back guy, and the Colts arent some superhuman entity. The way everyone is making it out to be is its going to be Peyton Manning vs. the New England Patriots, and if your a Pats fan, and you dont love that match-up, well theres something wrong with you.

-Nick

Sorry New England, No Dynasty For Now

Coming into the 2004 season, our New England Patriots were not only the reigning Super Bowl Champions, but also the favorite to repeat as Champs. As the season prolonged, the Patriots gave us hope that they would not only run the table, going 16-0, but they would also dominate any team in their way en route to their third Lomardi Trophy in four seasons. Then Week 8 came...our season ripped away.

Week 8 matched the Patriots up with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not only did the Patriots lose this game 34-20, they also lost All-Pro cornerback Ty Law. Even after this devastating lose at the halfway point of the season, there was still hope. Once the season finally concluded with a 21-7 victory over the lowely San Francisco Forty-Niners, the now 14-2 Patriots headed into the playoffs with a first round bye, and some bad news.

Originally it was believed that Ty Law's injury would keep him inactive for 6-8 weeks; thus, allowing him to return anywhere from Week 14 to Week 17. This would have allowed for the much depleted New England secondary received a needed boost. Unfortunately Law didn't return Week 14, or 15, 16, or 17. Then the news came. Ty Law would miss the entire postseason. What hope did the Patriots have now? NONE! As we know now, the Patriots will be facing the Indianapolis Colts in the second round. The Colts boast not only the most explosive offense in football, but a quarterback in Peyton Manning who set new NFL records all season. Manning, a lifetime 0-5 versus the Patriots, has always had trouble against the Belichick/Crennel defenses. Ty Law was a huge part of Manning's struggles. To add insult to injury, the Patriots other starting corner, Tyrone Pool has been injured for most of the season and will also be out of the Patriots. This has the all the makings of Peyton Manning's against New England.

The Patriots started the season with a thrilling win against the Colts 27-24. The New England secondary consisted of Ty Law and Tyrone Poole starting at the corners with both Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson starting at Safety with nickelback corner Asanta Samuel coming in. In the upcoming playoff matchup between the Patriots and the Colts, the Pats secondary will start Asante Samuel and Randell Gay(undrafted Rookie) starting at corners with Troy Brown( WR by trade) and Earthwind Moreland (practice squad corner) coming in for nickel and dime defenses. Eugene Wilson and Rodney Harrison will both start at Safety, but Wilson has been banged up lately and will be replaced by backup LB Don Davis when Wilson needs a breather.

So let us recap: The Patriots will be using their 3rd,4th, and 5th corners as well as a WR as their Cornerbacks and their a backup LB and 2 regular starters as their Safeties. Wow this should work out well for the Patriots who will be facing a Colts offense that has three WR with over 10 touchdowns and over 1,000 receiving yards each in Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Brandon Stokely. Nevermind the exceptional TE Marcus Pollard. That passing attack mixed with the a runningback who ran for over 1,500 yards in Edgarrin James could equate into a very long and depressing game for New England players and fans.
My Final Prediction: Indianapolis Colts 45 New England Patriots 24

This is one prediction I hope to get drastically wrong!


-S-