Colts lose 28-24

by Brad Wells on Jan 13, 2008 4:23 PM EST in Colts News

It's a very, very, very bitter pill to swallow, but the reality is the Chargers made the plays and the Colts did not. The game was lost on one drive, engineered by Billy Volek, filling in for Phillip Rivers, and Michael Turner, filling in for LaDanian Tomlinson. After that drive, despite the amazing efforts of Peyton, you had a sense the game was finished.

Too many mistakes (balls deflecting off receivers hands, dumb penalties, bad execution) and too many opportunities slipped away.

Full recap later. As always, we will go on and blog the hell out of this and all upcoming games. Like you, I'm mad, frustrated, and confused. It's tough, but we've been here before.

Go Colts!

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Colts overcame alot this season...

Thanks to the Colts for a good season, who would have thought they could win 13 games with as many injuries as they had?

It is more than a bitter pill to swallow with this playoff loss. We lost to freaking NORV. Hope the Patriots choke on their undefeated season.

Here come the trolls in 3... 2... 1...

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 4:31 PM EST reply actions

What happened?

A funny thing happened on the way to a Pats v Cots rematch... the Colts didn't hold up their end of the bargain!! Now, New England has to beat up the lowly Chargers!! Christ I wanted to take it to Indy again.. oh well.

It became very clear to all this weekend who the best quarterback in the world is: Tom Brady. Manning just doesn't handle the pressure very well, especially in the fourth quarter. I think you guys always knew this in your heart but it hurt too much to admit it here.

Anyway... good luck next season. It's on the Super Bowl for the Patriots.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 13, 2008 4:32 PM EST reply actions

Ha! I called the trolls! :D

Yes, I can still find humor in the dark times. :)

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

are you retarded?

Manning had possibly the best quarterback game of the playoffs so far. One pick was a freak pick that may be play of the year in my book. The other was IMO Reggie's fault. Peyton played like a champ and kept it close despite his lack of offense and some really bad breaks.

by bleedingblue @ Stampede Blue on Jan 13, 2008 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

lack of defense

sorry typed that wrong, lack of defense

by bleedingblue @ Stampede Blue on Jan 13, 2008 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

But...

Peyton did not rally (did not catty) his team to victory. Brady does, I 'm sure how else to phrase it. Manning did not get it done today. Why???

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 13, 2008 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

Please excuse the typos

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 13, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

wasn't that your excuse last year

that brady couldn't make it at the end of the game because it was his receivers.

get over the manning bashing... no one player can do it all.. and brady has had a better D for years and a kicker who saved his ass in two superbowls...

by bluegirl on Jan 14, 2008 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

A QB

Can only do so much, if the ball gets tipped, or his receiver can't hold, or fumbles after the catch, what can he do? At least he didn't throw a pick with the Super Bowl on the line.

by Bullard47 on Jan 13, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

Perhaps but

The Colts beat the Pats in last year's AFCCG but this year seems to the year of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The Colts had too much to overcome but man, I thought Indy was coming to Foxboro next week. Oh well...

In the end, Manning couldn't do what Brady did this year but then again, Brady has had a season for the ages.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 13, 2008 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

Last season...

I'm sure Pats fans had the same sinking feeling.
All I've got to say...it's the Pats time. Enjoy it while it lasts. For about 6 months i.e.

"Winning is not everything;the desire to win is" - Vince Lombardi

by rangerover76 on Jan 13, 2008 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

Very true..

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 13, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

6 months

or alot longer. The Colts walked away with a Ring last year. If the Pats finish this season out, they get a Ring, Futheringing a dynasty, and the only 19-0 undefeated season.

by ZTurgeon on Jan 13, 2008 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

With a...

big fat asterisk next to it. Like this " *"

"Winning is not everything;the desire to win is" - Vince Lombardi

by rangerover76 on Jan 13, 2008 11:12 PM EST up reply actions

* please see below

* = Perfection !

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 14, 2008 1:33 AM EST up reply actions

And...

I wouldn't shrug off the Chargers and look ahead to the Super Bowl. If any team is coming into NE with momentum I would say it's SD. Knocking off the reigning Super Bowl champs (albeit by 4 points) in their home field isn't exactly a small feat. Agreed they got lucky with Marvin fumble and the INT but the defense still played like crazy.
I would watch out for Merriman as he might make good on his promise of "punching Brady in the mouth".
This is a team that won inspite of NORV.

"Winning is not everything;the desire to win is" - Vince Lombardi

by rangerover76 on Jan 13, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

Rivers hurt, Tomlinson hurt...

they don't got a prayer. Maybe Merriman will cheap shot Brady or something, but other than that I don't' see it happening.

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

I'd put my money on Volek

before I would on Rivers. I'd say LT will be back, unless it is something catastrophic

by bleedingblue @ Stampede Blue on Jan 13, 2008 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

Rivers was on his game today....

some of his passes were sick. Can he do it again?

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

Right on.

Norv actually proved himself to be a big buffoon throughout the game. In that drive in the fourth quarter with roughly 7 minutes to go, up by four, he has Volek sprint down the field and give Manning FOUR MINUTES to stage a comeback drive. Thought New England would have told him about not doing that. Luckily for Norv, his defense stepped up, and Marvin sits on the sideline wondering why he even dressed for the game(I guess to fumble). Also, why can't he reign in his punk-ass starting QB? Cussing and screaming at the fans as the clock winds down? Is that any kind of class? NO. That is douchebaggery and PR just got his crown. I hope that he can't play and Billy Volek(who I've liked for a long time, and who is better than Vince Young) goes into Foxboro and pulls off the upset. I then want the either the Giants or the Packers to upset them, as I would love Eli or Bret to hoist the Lombardi.

by Bullard47 on Jan 13, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

Bring 'em on...

Yeah... yeah... yeah. The only thing lucky about the game today were the two shitty calls by the refs that went the Colts way... and they still couldn't win the damn thing!! Honestly... Marvin didn't belong on the field today and all of you know it.

Thanks for the heads-up on that tough Chargers team coming to Gillette next Sunday - we'll watch out for 'em.

Hey everybody out there - THE PATRIOTS DO NOT LOSE.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 14, 2008 1:45 AM EST up reply actions

that game over all

was just different. Wasn't terrible reffing, no pathetic play, no luck involved. It was just a Bizzaro World game. Nothing seemed to be as it was or go as it should. Crazy crazy disappointing day. I kinda hope for one similar to that next week. I'm curious to see how the Pats face adversity, that is something they have yet to face.

by bleedingblue @ Stampede Blue on Jan 14, 2008 1:53 AM EST up reply actions

BB

I totally agree with you.. Bizzaro World Sunday afternoon in the RCA Dome.

I was so sure the Colts would win yesterday that I kept myself busy doing stuff around the house. I'd walk by the set every five or ten minutes... see what was going on. When the screen/dump-off pass went for a touchdown, I found a seat and watched with facination, the dismantling of the Indianapolis Colts. I kept waiting for the Chargers to fold, I kept waiting for Peyton to do his thing. Neither happened.

Strange game.

Thank Christ coach Belichick never allows his team to under-estimate any opponent. He will game-plan for Rivers, his backup and his uncle Fred. The Patroits will be completely prepared for whatever the Chargers may bring. Just as they would have been completely prepared for the Colts.

Frankly, I wanted the Colts next Sunday... I really did.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 14, 2008 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

Forgot to add...

BB you want to see how the Patriots face adversity - check out a replay of the Dec. 3rd game vs the Baltimore Ravens. Talk about adversity, no other team in the league would have come out of that game with a win... none.

You see, every team that has faced New England in the past six or seven weeks has been playing out of their ass... throwing everything they got at the Pats... in an effort to slay the beast. The Patriots necessarily became battle tested over these games... or else they lose. The Patriots are conditioned to win.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 14, 2008 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

Right on Horse

by standingpat on Jan 14, 2008 3:01 AM EST up reply actions

Hey Pats fan

Don't make the mistake that we made this week. We thought that the Chargers would be no problem, that we would walk all over them. Obviously, our presumption was our downfall. Don't make the same mistake. Oh, wait, go ahead and make that mistake.

Check it to pancakes! Pancakes!

by Picky on Jan 14, 2008 3:08 AM EST up reply actions

we beat the chargers..

Last year when i think they had a better team than we did. Anything can happen on any given sunday, but i believe we have a better team than they do. By the way, i think the colts do to.

by standingpat on Jan 14, 2008 3:39 AM EST up reply actions

What?!

You know I just don't get all of you Chowder Heads! I mean, did Peyton Manning bang your mom or something. What is with your hatred of this guy?! I mean don't get me wrong I hate Tom Brady! I hate his looks, I hate his attitude, I hate his politics and I hate his man purse. But, you know, I still recognize him as one of the best QB's of all time.

by MasterRWayne on Jan 13, 2008 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

Huh ?

You don't like Tom Brady because he's been a better QB than your boy - simple as that. Manning failed today but, had the Colts pulled out a victory you knew Brady was waiting for Indy, ready to show them the door. That reality hurts a Colt's fan, that is why you hate Brady. It's not what he carries around with him that upsets you, it's what he does on the football field.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 13, 2008 6:57 PM EST up reply actions

LOL

i knew that was you when you mentioned his politics. ;) (this is lisa btw)

by sapphicblue on Jan 13, 2008 7:55 PM EST up reply actions

I always hate when my team loses...

... but the Chargers have had an amazing resurgence and BBS said it right - they made the plays and the Colts didn't. Go Chargers - light up the Bratriots!

by LovinBlue on Jan 13, 2008 4:34 PM EST reply actions

That second interception was sick...

a deflection and the guy caught it with one arm? I couldn't believe that.

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

0-3 with bye?

When do we start to question Tony Dungy's coaching tactics a bit? 0-3 with a bye week in the playoffs when teams average nearly 70 percent wins in the same spot? Something isn't working.

Can't hang this one on a Payton choke either. He was fine other than he didn't pull out a miracle at the end.

I think the loss of Dwight Freeney was clearly seen. Where was the pass rush? Still, early turnovers kill.

http://www.rotowire.com

by MadTownColtsFan on Jan 13, 2008 4:35 PM EST reply actions

Where was the defense?

And Billy Volek lead the winning TD drive? The Chargers were almost perfect on third down... I need alcohol.

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

bottom line is

Manning got outplayed by Rivers/Volek. Manning played pretty well, but nto as well as his competition. Him not being able to elude the initial pass rusher cost the Colts on that first attempt to take the lead around the 2:00 mark.

He also missed Wayne on that deep ball. He played fine, just nowhere near the incredible level he's played for much of his career.

by Blitzburgh @ Stampede Blue on Jan 13, 2008 4:38 PM EST reply actions

Hit the nail on the head...

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 13, 2008 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

Well...

You know the Best are always held to the highest standard. If thats the standard Manning is held to then I am cool with that.

by MasterRWayne on Jan 13, 2008 7:02 PM EST up reply actions

Turnovers

It is sad to see Marvin Harrison catch his first pass in eons and then fumble the ball in what would be the deciding play of the game, though it happened in the 1st Half.

Oh, and can we now agree that Kenton Keith should NOT be in on passing downs, and questionably should not be on the roster next year? I rooted for him to make the cut in training camp, and has ran well, but dropped passes and turnovers are really hurting his stock in my mind.

by Bullard47 on Jan 13, 2008 4:39 PM EST reply actions

Great D

Nice to see the Colts play their worst D of the season and aside from the jags' 375 yard rushing game in 06, perhaps their worst D effort in years.

The Chargers averaged 13.6 yards per PASS ATTEMPT. Yes people, pass attempt. The Chargers had 18 yards and change per reception which is utterly ridiculous. To think that was the top D in the reg season is now laughable to me.

Typical Colts I guess...whatever happened in the regular season suddenly flips in the playoffs:

Good O in 04 season? Bad O in 04 Pats playoff game
Good D in 05? Bad D in 05 playoff game
Bad D in 06 season? Good D in 06 playoffs

It is pretty pathetic and it makes me just shake my head. I should have known that the D would be this bad because of the 3 units, I had the most faith in the D going into the game and figured if ANYONE was going to struggle it'd have been the offense but nope, the O was 04 like and did enough for any team with some form of D to win the game.

Great game Colts. Way to close out the RCA dome and what could have been a great season with that shitfest. Way to choke yet again.

The only positive was that it was clear to me early on that this D would not be able to handle the Pats (the non existent pass rush was great today) so at least they won't have to go to NE and lose and have the media go on about "Manning vs Brady" and other crap. Now the chargers can go there and get destroyed because they have a shit D as well.

Good to see that Marvin was useless and should have been IRed 12 weeks ago and they could have put a pass rusher in his roster spot. Good move Indy. Way to string that crap along.

I am sure the media will try and pin this on Manning even though he was great and the two INTs were not his fault. Well, the Wayne throw was a bit high but the Keith tipped int was just fuggin ridiculous and they should cut him simply because the guy has issues catching the football. How the fock can you not catch a wide open 3 yard pass? I can do that blindfolded.

Pathetic...but hey, not the team I own and I do not play for them so no biggie to me. I'll be over the loss before the night is over.

Poor Manning and the guys who actually did something today.

by Rob L on Jan 13, 2008 4:44 PM EST reply actions

We really need ratings for comments...

Rob gets +5

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

I'll be over the loss with some heavy drinking

and the beginning of baseball season. Until then it'll be nothing but what ifs.

by bleedingblue @ Stampede Blue on Jan 13, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

We got the Pacers, right?

Ugh... I need a beer and you can't buy beer on Sundays. DAMN YOU INDIANA!!!

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

Special teams were the best unit on the field!

At least that unit fixed their problems for the game...

I agree with everything Rob L said. At least we were spared going through this agony with NE(and they would've shredded us with this shitty no-rush defense).

I'd also like to add that I could stand to see Dungy go, as except for the miracle of 06, his defenses, which are supposed to be his specialty, are always a let-down. SSB, Dungy a genius? I don't think so. He's been blessed as coach with Polian and Manning; otherwise, he's a plodder who would've been fired long ago.

And sorry to depress everyone further, but it's now obvious we desperately need defensive line help and we don't presently have a number one pick, and the high-impact, quality D linemen go fast in the early rounds. And for all of Polian's magic, finding "gems" in the lower rounds or undrafted doesn't seem to be working--Thomas, Charleston, Dawson, and Pitcock were hardly impressive this year and at this point pretty disposable.

by N Colter on Jan 13, 2008 11:01 PM EST up reply actions

As a fan

This is just hard on me because the Colts are my only link with Indy now that I'm in Tejas, and I am known around my work and the places I hang out as "The Colts Fan". I put a lot of my own honor on the Colts winning this game. I guess I get to look like a shmuck. Oh well, I hope NYG wins tonight so I can at least have some tit-for-tat with the Boys fans (who amazingly, are as bad or worse than Terry; actually the sports commentators seem to be the only people in Dallas with half a brain of their own).

I will still go on wearing my Colts hat in pride, and I'll make sure to give the new Cowboys Stadium a big fuck you the next time I go to Wal-Mart(which is across the street, gotta love Texas).

by Bullard47 on Jan 13, 2008 4:50 PM EST reply actions

wearing the jersey to dinner

going to a cafeteria in the middle of jersey. gulp

by bleedingblue @ Stampede Blue on Jan 13, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Like I said on the other thread

This team never got back on the game after that stupid fumble. I don't blame anybody, but Dungy should have gotten this team back on the tracks. The Colts ARE the better team, but didn't play with heart today. Didn't play like the Chargers did. Didn't play like Rivers did. And that's always part fault of the coach.

I love him. I love the guy. I guess we all do. But let's face it.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 13, 2008 4:53 PM EST reply actions

If he retires...

who replaces him?

I hope he stays. I read Irsay was offering everything to keep him, even a jet to fly back and forth to Tampa.

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

I'd say Jack Del Rio

LOL, relax, I'm kidding. I really don't know. I want him to stay. But he looked as lost as any player on the field. And that's very bad thing. So right now, I'm only pissed off.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 13, 2008 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

Ha ha, Del Rio...

Well too bad Norv probably has job security now because HE would be a pickup.

Lets get Cam Cameron!!!

/sarcasm... big time. :)

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

Cameron

Let's also let him do our drafts. :)

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 13, 2008 5:11 PM EST up reply actions

NO....

we will trade Manning to Detroit for GM Millen and let him do our drafts from now on!!!

Heh...

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

DAAAAAMN

A little change of subject, but what a fucking beautiful TD I just saw. Giants ahead, 7-0.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 13, 2008 4:55 PM EST reply actions

Giants ahead...

I might watch after all.

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

Already on?

Shit!

by Bullard47 on Jan 13, 2008 4:58 PM EST reply actions

This loss was not on the defense

The one thing you want, as a colt, is a chance for Peyton to win the game on a final drive (or do you not want that anymore????). The defense did its job. It gave Peyton TWO opportunities to win this game. TWO. He couldn't deliver. Don't put this on anyone else. He is the highest paid player on this team JUST for those kinds of situations. I said this in the other post, but I want to stress it. ALL OF HIS RECEIVERS WERE HEALTHY. FYI - YES, tipped passes are the QB's fault. YES, interceptions are the QB's fault. Yeah, the receiver should maybe run his route better or try to break it up, but at the end of the day it's a QB stat for a reason.

by ihavethemelody on Jan 13, 2008 4:58 PM EST reply actions

We had the lead.

The defense allowed BILLY VOLEK to drive and score a TD. I am sorry but you can't stop a backup QB and RB then you don't deserve to win.

Colts fan in Chicagoland. Go Colts!

by Kyle321N on Jan 13, 2008 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

So what?

The final job of the defense at the end of the day, for the colts and the patriots (they are the only two teams to which this applies), is to make sure their quarterback has the ball in his hands with the game on the line. The reason for that is self explanatory. The colts D did that. Twice. End of story. Whatever points they may have allowed, however little rush they were getting, moot. Peyton had the ball in his hands with the game on the line. TWICE.

by ihavethemelody on Jan 13, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

That's whats sad...

we lost to them without Rivers, Tomlinson, and Gates...

It is like "wtf just happened"?

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Jan 13, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

Mannings numbers lied today

Despite his record, and todays numbers, the Colts loss is soley on the hands of Manning. Throwing those two long bombs cost the team the game. They were marching, with 10-15 yard passes and the Bolts were clearly frusterated by it, but then the Manning ignored his checkdowns despite having alot of time, and instead threw long bombs to Wayne, neither of which stuck, which cost them all of their momentum and 2 downs. So yeah, 400 yards and 3 TDs means nothing when you can pinpoint serious mistakes in judgement that cost them a win

by ZTurgeon on Jan 13, 2008 5:02 PM EST reply actions

Good Season!

Good season Colts. I hated that we couldnt win it, so naturally ( or unnaturally ) I was pulling for you! You played tough. A couple of tough break INTs and a bad fumble from Marvin. But like someone said earlier, this one is on the D. Billy Volek is NOT that good, trust me I know all too well. Anyway, see you next year I look forward to 3 tough battles with you. 2 regular seasons and the AFC championship. Go Titans!!!

Someone once said "Vince Young bleeds Titan Blue!" But I disagree, Because the Great One DOESNT bleed!

by TitansFan10 on Jan 13, 2008 5:46 PM EST reply actions

Thanks!

Thanks for showing us some respect and lending a hand when we are down. As much as I hate the Titans I respect their fans and team a lot more than I do the Pats.

by MasterRWayne on Jan 13, 2008 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

Respect for the best

Just curious - your reasons for respecting a lousy football team are: __________

Winning can't be one of the reasons that earns your respect... could it be bad coaching and crappy play?

You sure your lack of respect for N.E. hasn't got anything to do with the fact that the Pats are about to claim their fourth Super Bowl to the Colts one??
I thought so!!

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 14, 2008 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

To all..

Great game today. Manning -- 402 yds and 3 tds , a winning performance in any other game and stage. The playoffs are one crazy animal. Thanks for having me this season and look forward to next yr when we play you guys. But now I guess I'll have to put up with the tunnel vision on Pats Pulpit.

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win." Sun Tzu

by OneMore on Jan 13, 2008 7:36 PM EST reply actions

hey of all Pats fans....

you especially are more than welcome to come chill with us. You can come join us about offseason talk. You bet your ass we will still be talking shit about the Patriots all the way through their loss or SB win. We're here.

by bleedingblue @ Stampede Blue on Jan 13, 2008 7:42 PM EST up reply actions

Cowboys lose

At least knowing that somewhere Terry is crying like a little girl makes me feel kinda better.

by beckmania on Jan 13, 2008 7:56 PM EST reply actions

I posted about him at the cowboy site

but those little bitches deleted my post.

"Careers are made by what you do in post season play" - Troy Aikman 1.7.07

by Chad @ Stampede Blue on Jan 13, 2008 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry about your loss

to the Chargers. Pats fan here and I can FEEL THE LOVE from your guys. I really thought the Chargers would be a little tune up game for the Colts today and I was really looking forward to an AFC Championship rematch. I guess we'll have to wait another year for that one.

By the way, as hard as it seems to believe, not ALL Pats fans are douche bags. Really. I swear.

by ElToro1960 on Jan 13, 2008 8:39 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

We appreciate the good Pats fans! You guys might be evil, but its good to you have around... sometimes.

by MasterRWayne on Jan 13, 2008 9:00 PM EST up reply actions

What do you know...

My sister is a "rabid" Pats fan. Another reason why I dislike the Pats.

"Winning is not everything;the desire to win is" - Vince Lombardi

by rangerover76 on Jan 13, 2008 11:16 PM EST up reply actions

Leave your sister out of this!

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 14, 2008 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

2008 Colts

Full disclosure. Pats fan, thrilled that Manning will not be coming to Foxboro. Last year still hurts.

Couple things:

Colts seemed flat. No excuse for that; perhaps too much a reflection of the Dungy Stoicism. The playoffs are not business as usual.

Colts will regret paying Sanders all that cash. I think he'll get Polamalu Syndrome and start to get very beat up, and then look good while shunning contact.

Freeney was a huge loss. Maybe a difference maker.

As good as he is, Manning forces a lot of balls into coverage, and often lucks out.

Playing inside in perfect conditions hurts the Colts. Gotta do it on the road in the cold if you are going to take on the Pats.

Getting beat by SD subs will sting for a while, and perhaps force Polian to make some serious defensive changes.

Colts will be a good show as long as Manning is around. 50/50 Dungy is gone, and I'm not sure it would be a bad thing.

by BobDee on Jan 13, 2008 8:52 PM EST reply actions

I wonder...

I a bye week the best thing for a team? So many wild card teams and #3s and #4s make and win the SB (say like a certain team from Indy) that maybe it's better to play 3 playoff games.

"Careers are made by what you do in post season play" - Troy Aikman 1.7.07

by Chad @ Stampede Blue on Jan 13, 2008 9:00 PM EST up reply actions

Indeed

Without an effective pass rush, the Tampa 2 falters. You can't sit in zones all day and hope to confuse the other QB. Freeney earned his paycheck by proving how valuable he is.

The problem with the playoffs is that the little things become big things. Bob Sanders is a difference maker. Freeney is a difference maker. Gonzo and Ugoh will be difference makers. But at some point, you have to start planning for what happens when you don't have those guys. Not having an A+ pass rusher killed us. Our D line managed a B, at best. Rivers was able to escape probably half a dozen sacks. Put Freeney in this game, and the Colts are going to Foxboro.

So, my apologies Pats fans. This is the 88 Lakers all over again. Have fun with Houston, I mean San Diego.

On the upside, it means that we will see the ultimate good vs. evil Super Bowl.

"Hey, if you want me to come here, I want to come here. But if you don't, I'm going to beat your butt for 15 years playing in the AFC." -Peyton Manning-

by MonkeyBusiness on Jan 13, 2008 11:12 PM EST reply actions

NFC Matchup?

Just interested in seeing who you would like to see in the Super Bowl from the NFC? Giants or Packers? I could really care less either way. It would be cool to let Brett get another ring(possibly), and it would be great for Manning if he got one(possibly). Taking the Giants back to the Super Bowl should help him secure his job next year(and maybe get the New York media off his back, oh wait, that won't happen)

by Bullard47 on Jan 14, 2008 5:20 AM EST reply actions

The Pack

Gotta get back at them for the defeat the Pats took in Super Bowl XXXI. Plus, it will be very entertaining to witness the battle of the quarterbacks - the old timer vs the prime timer. I'm rooting for Green Bay.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 14, 2008 1:12 PM EST reply actions