My Patriots vs. Colts Prediction/Review

[mikesilvia]

The game of the year and maybe regular season game of this decade may be this weeks game between the Colts and Patriots. Here are my four advantages each team has and my prediction for the game!

The Colts' Advantages

1. Home field advantage
The Colts have a major advantage with the home field. The crowd noise can only benefit the Colts.

2. Defending Super Bowl Champs
People really under estimate the advantage of being the Super Bowl champs. There is a confidence boost with being undefeated and the defending NFL champs. Also, the Colts beat the Patriots in last years playoffs on their way to eventual Super Bowl victory.

3. Momentum
The Colts have won the last three meeting against the Patriots and two of those were in New England. Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning seem to have all the answers to the Patriots offense and defense. The only good news for Patriot fans is that 2 of the 3 were close and decided by 7 and 4 points.

4. #1 ranked pass defense
The Colts have the #1 ranked pass defense only giving up 165 yards per game and only 5 throwing TDs and this was against high powered throwing teams like the Bengals, Cowboys and Browns.

The Patriots' Advantages

1. Total Defense
While the Colts are #1 against the pass, the Patriots are #1 against the run and #5 against the pass. In my view both teams will pass well, but only the Patriots will have an effective running game and that may be the difference in the game.

2. Healthier
The Colts are without their start receiver Marvin Harrison. If he does play he will not be 100%. The Patriots have Lowrance Maroney back at full strength

3. Better Receiving Core
There are few teams in the last 5 years that can say they are going into a game with a better receiver core than the Colts. With Marvin Harrison hurt and no real 3rd wide receiver the Patriots have a huge advantage. Wes Welker has stepped up in a big way and when randy Moss and Tom Brady are synced up for the team ball it doesn't matter if three corner backs are cover Moss. The Colts have a puzzle to solve with Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth running down the field and a healthy Lowrance Maroney in the backfield.

4. The Tom Brady Factor
I don't know that I have every seen a more composed and accurate quarterback in the NFL than Tom Brady. Tom Brady has an unbelievable 600 more yards passing than Manning so far and already has 2 more TDs than his best years (28 in 2002 and 2004). He is on a pace to throw 60 TDs!

Prediction. I honestly don't think this game will be as close as most people predict. I think the New England Patriots are just too hot and their defense and running game may be able the difference. Both teams will throw a lot of yards, but the Patriots will be more in control and make less mistakes and win the game 34 to 27.

[OzCollecta]

Mike, when did the Colts play the high powered throwing Cowboys besides pre season.

[bearfield]

34 to 27----------i don't think it will be that close.

i don't think # 1 pass defense means squat to moss.

[hagansp]

im confused mike u say it wont be close...but yet you have NE only winning by a td?

id say thats close...

i think it will be right around your score as well.

[jonsportscardz]

Blowout Pats 45-Ponies-14 Take care and as always GO P-A-T-S Hello Hagan!!Thanx for the Great Read Mike.

[jonsportscardz]

Great win Way to go P-A-T-S!!!!Whos next none Bye week lol Great Game.

[selby56]

It was an alright game...I was hoping it would be closer.

[contenders04]

It was an alright game...I was hoping it would be closer.

pats won by 4? doesnt get to much closer than that...

[selby56]

pats won by 4? doesnt get to much closer than that...

It was a close score, but I was hoping it come down to the last play and a more exciting finish I guess.

[mikesilvia]

Well, I picked the winner, but I was way off on a few things.

Joseph Addai is the real deal and the Pats running game was no advantage at all. Also, Tom Brady looked terrible at times and the Colts really put the pressure on him. The Colts should have won that game if it was not for that Manning fumble towards the end.

Mike