Python
01-18-2007, 08:39 PM
Place your bets here.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
6:30 p.m. ET New England Patriots (14-4) at Indianapolis Colts (14-4) (CBS-TV)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-4) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (14-4)
STORYLINE: Here we go again!
For the third time in the past four years, the former AFC East rivals -- with identical records -- will meet in the playoffs. The game also marks the seventh time since realignment in 2002 that the clubs have met, including for the second time this season (27-20 Colts win on Nov. 5). Overall leader during that span? The Patriots, 4-2, including both playoff meetings (2003 AFC Championship Game and 2004 AFC divisional playoffs). What does the Colts quarterback who has started all those games (vs. New England's Tom Brady) have to say about Sunday's opponent? "The Patriots," says Peyton Manning simply, "are as great a team as there is … ever."
But the Colts have two things going for them right off: They have won the past two meetings, so they know the winners of three of the past five Super Bowls are not invincible … and they finally have a home playoff game against New England. It will be the first AFC Championship Game contested in a dome.
The meeting will be one full of great positional matchups.
There's Brady vs. Manning -- pitting two of the most-recognized NFL quarterbacks, and the most successful since realignment in 2002. Manning has won 60 regular-season games since 2002, the most in that span, with Brady at No. 2 with 59. But Brady also comes equipped with a 12-1 playoff record and three Super Bowl titles.
Then there's the combo running backs. New England has basically split time between Corey Dillon and rookie Laurence Maroney the whole year. Colts RB Dominic Rhodes started every game, but Joseph Addai became the first rookie in history to rush for 1,000 yards without starting a regular-season game.
Next comes the well-known/getting-to-be-well-known wide receivers. Indy's Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne turned in their usual 1,000-yard seasons. New Patriots Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell have really come on in the playoffs, with 18 (one TD) and 12 catches (one TD), respectively.
Finally, there's the big question: Can the reenergized Colts defense, which finished 32nd against the rush this season, yet has allowed only 44 and 83 rush yards in two playoff games, replicate this performance against Dillon/Maroney?
source ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
6:30 p.m. ET New England Patriots (14-4) at Indianapolis Colts (14-4) (CBS-TV)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-4) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (14-4)
STORYLINE: Here we go again!
For the third time in the past four years, the former AFC East rivals -- with identical records -- will meet in the playoffs. The game also marks the seventh time since realignment in 2002 that the clubs have met, including for the second time this season (27-20 Colts win on Nov. 5). Overall leader during that span? The Patriots, 4-2, including both playoff meetings (2003 AFC Championship Game and 2004 AFC divisional playoffs). What does the Colts quarterback who has started all those games (vs. New England's Tom Brady) have to say about Sunday's opponent? "The Patriots," says Peyton Manning simply, "are as great a team as there is … ever."
But the Colts have two things going for them right off: They have won the past two meetings, so they know the winners of three of the past five Super Bowls are not invincible … and they finally have a home playoff game against New England. It will be the first AFC Championship Game contested in a dome.
The meeting will be one full of great positional matchups.
There's Brady vs. Manning -- pitting two of the most-recognized NFL quarterbacks, and the most successful since realignment in 2002. Manning has won 60 regular-season games since 2002, the most in that span, with Brady at No. 2 with 59. But Brady also comes equipped with a 12-1 playoff record and three Super Bowl titles.
Then there's the combo running backs. New England has basically split time between Corey Dillon and rookie Laurence Maroney the whole year. Colts RB Dominic Rhodes started every game, but Joseph Addai became the first rookie in history to rush for 1,000 yards without starting a regular-season game.
Next comes the well-known/getting-to-be-well-known wide receivers. Indy's Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne turned in their usual 1,000-yard seasons. New Patriots Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell have really come on in the playoffs, with 18 (one TD) and 12 catches (one TD), respectively.
Finally, there's the big question: Can the reenergized Colts defense, which finished 32nd against the rush this season, yet has allowed only 44 and 83 rush yards in two playoff games, replicate this performance against Dillon/Maroney?
source ([Only registered and activated users can see links])