Colts-Pats, yet again (Signifying Nothing: how does saying nothing at all become so loud?)

Sunday, 14 January 2007

Colts-Pats, yet again

In the grand scheme of things, I think today’s AFC divisional game came out best for the Colts—Indy, particularly this season, fundamentally matches up better against the pass-happy Patriots than the running game of the Chargers. And, this year the Colts have two advantages: Adam Vinatieri, a definite upgrade over Mike “Liquored Up” Vanderjagt, and home field in the ~~Hoosier~~ RCA Dome. So, I’m picking the Colts to make their first Super Bowl under Peyton Manning… and unless the Patriots play much better than they did today, I expect it won’t even be close.

On the NFC side, I have to say I’ve become a convert to the Saints bandwagon, and they definitely have a good shot at beating the Bears in Chicago: Drew Brees is a much more consistent passer than Rex Grossman (or Brian Griese), and the Deuce/Reggie combo should be able to pound out a lot of yardage if the weather isn’t conducive to passing. The Bears should be favored mostly due to home-field advantage, but I don’t think that will be too much of a factor in the game because of the way the Saints’ strengths line up. So I pick the Saints in a mild upset.

6 comments:

Any views expressed in these comments are solely those of their authors; they do not reflect the views of the authors of Signifying Nothing, unless attributed to one of us.

1. Jim wrote @ Mon, 15 Jan 2007, 11:01 am CST:

Saints – Colts, what a Super Bowl it would be. I’d have to pull for the Saints but wouldn’t be disappointed to see Peyton win either. And where would Archie’s heart be? On the other hand, Bears – Patriots and I really wouldn’t give a damn. Any other combo and I’m back to Saints/Colts.

2. Rick Almeida wrote @ Mon, 15 Jan 2007, 6:12 pm CST:

100% Patriots homer writing

I think you’re being a bit unfair by calling the Pats “pass happy.” Looks like the very good Chargers defense totally shut down what’s been a pretty good running game all season…after all, this is a team that has Corey Dillon, Moroney, AND Faulk. Against the Jets last week, the Pats threw 34 times and ran 38.

There’s no doubt that the Colts have a very solid offense, and I think their run D really got an unnecessarily bad rap heading into the postseason. That said, their run D is a bit of a variable, and if Dillon and Moroney can pound it inside and take some of the pressure off Brady to make miracle throw after miracle throw, then the Pats can win.

Of course, I’d love to see a repeat of the Bears-Pats Super Bowl of 1985, but I don’t think there’s any real way the Bears can beat the Saints.

3. Chris Lawrence wrote @ Mon, 15 Jan 2007, 8:08 pm CST:

In absolute terms, “pass happy” may be unfair, but I’d much rather be in the shoes of the Colts D against Dillon and Moroney (and Faulk) than against Tomlinson. And I’d much rather have Vinatieri than Gostkowski or whatever his name is if this does turn into a shootout.

I can see the Bears beating the Saints, but it would have to be with a better defense than what they’ve shown in the playoffs so far. But if the D plays like they did against the Seahawks, Drew Brees (and Deuce and Reggie Bush) will shred them.

4. Rick Almeida wrote @ Mon, 15 Jan 2007, 8:33 pm CST:

Well yeah, there’s nobody I’d want to defend against less than LT, and there’s no doubt Vinatieri’s the best kicker in the game. I still call this one a coin toss at best. But, I’m a total homer.

5. Alfie Sumrall wrote @ Tue, 16 Jan 2007, 7:07 am CST:

GEAUX SAINTS!

…and that’s all I have to say about that.

I will say that I don’t want Tom Brady anywhere near the Saints in a Super Bowl.