Brady Gets The Ladies; Manning Gets Trip To Super Bowl
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
NEW ENGLAND @ INDIANAPOLIS (-3)
New England's Tom Brady has all the statistics on his side. He's 10-0 in domes. 10-1 in the playoffs and has been masterful against Indianapolis' Peyton Manning in the playoffs. But, this time around Manning's team is playing better all-around football than any team left in the playoffs.
Bill Belichick seems to always have a new wrinkle to throw at Manning, but exactly what can he draw up that Manning hasn't already seen? An eight man front dressed in clown costumes? This is not to say Manning, with all his pent up frustration, will carve up the Patriots, either.
The story of the Colts two playoff wins against Kansas City and Baltimore has been its defense. They've been nimble, quick and as formidable as the Bears vaunted defense. The rather pedestrian-named Bob Sanders has been a key for this defense with his tackling and high-paced play. He's been the difference between a Colts defense that was allowing an unprecedented amount of rushing yards to one one game short of the Super Bowl.
Brady continues to be a latter-day Joe Montana without the weapons #16 had in San Francisco. New England's brain drain and turnover in personnel has made this the Patriots least talented team, yet with one of the weakest receiving corps in football they continue to excel.
This would be Belichick's greatest accomplishment if he could get the Pats to Miami, but the resurgence of the Colts defense, the whimsy of Manning and a raucous RCA Dome, it's the Colts who will return to the championship game for the first time since Super Bowl V.
COLTS 31, PATRIOTS 21.
Labels: Bill Belichick, Colts, Joe Montana, Patriots, Tom Brady
