NFL GAME ODDS

New England Patriots vs. Indy Colts

This week the New England's Patriots travel to the RCA Dome to play the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game. The key to the game could be the fact that the Colts are at home and don't have to play the Patriots in cold outdoor conditions. Indianapolis has the 3rd ranked offense in the league with the top ranked quarterback in Payton Manning. It has been a wacky postseason for the Colts as their defense has won the two previous games, which is unheard of in past Colts' playoffs. Manning has not played great but he has also not been prone to turnovers as he has in past playoff appearances. If they keep this up they will be finally be playing for the Super Bowl. Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady will have to have a better start then he did last week in San Diego if the Patriots are going to win. This should be a close game and could come down to the fact that the greatest kicker in post season history, Adam Vinatieri, left the Pats with his three rings to sign with Indianapolis while New England drafted a kicker to replace him. Vinatieri has not missed in the RCA Dome and was 5-5 last week to account for all of the Colts points in their win at Baltimore. If the game comes down to the kickers the Colts have the advantage.

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New England played just well enough to win at San Diego as their defense came up big and Brady, 3529 yds 24 TD's finally woke up in the second half. The rushing due of Cory Dillon, 812 yds 13 TD's and Laurence Maroney 745 yds 6 TD's must take some pressure off Brady who will pass to everyone who is eligible in the Pats wide-open offense. The Pats offense is ranked 11th in the league and Colts rank 21st but this statistic isn't telling as new England's offense has been playing well of late and Indy's defense has stepped up big in the playoffs. The Colts rushing defense was dead last in the league this year so if the Pats can rush the ball well and not make Brady do everything they have a good shot. The Pats have the 6th ranked defense and their strength is up front as they are 5th against the rush and 12th against the pass. Their secondary comes up big when it has to though especially Asante Samuel who was second in the league in interceptions with 10. The secondary will have to step up and especially keep Marvin Harrison from making big yardage catches. Their defense must play a tight game, as Manning is a master at finding defensive weaknesses and breakdowns. The Pats also must get to him and pressure him into not settling in the pocket.

Could this finally be the year for manning, 4397 yds 31 TD's and the Colts to make it to the Super Bowl? Manning hasn't been spectacular this postseason but he has also not turned the ball over much which has been his problem in past playoff appearances. New England is strong against the run but if Joseph Addai 1081 yds 7 TD's and Dominic Rhodes 641 yds 5 TD's can take some pressure off Manning and make the Patriot's defense not concentrate solely on Manning they will be successful. Manning's weapons are two of the top three receivers in the league in Marvin Harrison, 95 rec 1366 yds 12 TD's and Reggie Wayne 86 rec 1310 yds 9 TD's. Along with tight end Dallas Clark these three present match up nightmares for any defensive secondary. The key may be how the Colts offensive line protects Manning and if they give him time to throw. If they do and Manning doesn't turn the ball over they will be sitting pretty. The Colts defense has a strong secondary ranked 2nd in the league but a rushing defense that was ranked dead last. If the front line plays like it has been in the last two playoff games they will win this game. They cannot turn the ball over though as it will kill them as it has in past playoff games. This will be the year when the Colts finally break through as they have too powerful of an offense, their defense is more than peaking, the game is at the RCA Dome and they have Mr. postseason automatic in Adam Vinatieri. The monkey will be lying on the turf after the game, as it will be off the back of Manning who will finally get to the Super Bowl

Game Pick: Patriots +3