Colts versus Patriots Week 9 (Revised)

Below this commentary, I have a sort of balanced look at the match up; I am probably biased, but I just don’t see how the Patriots intend to win. If you ask me there is a lot of smoke and mirrors to what is going on with the Patriots and it does not make good news or television to point out the facts.

Everyone has pointed out all of the gaudy Tom Brady numbers. However, if you ask me the offense has under performed in several ways.

The Patriots have played mostly the worst defenses in the league while the Colts have played many of the best defenses yet the Patriots are slightly behind the Colts in the “Win Indicators”: yards/carry, 3^rd down conversion percentage, and turnover ratio (specifically on offense the Patriots have more giveaways).

In defense of Patriots, they have played some of the better offenses in the league and the defenses held up reasonably well which is largely due to turnovers. However, I have one caveat to this: the Patriots are 26^th in the league in red-zone defense so they just can’t stop anybody inside the 20.

The Patriots have an explosive passing attack; however, the Colts defense is designed philosophically to stop the big play and run-after-the-catch.

Colts Advantage(s)

-No Huddle Tires the older Patriot defense because it prevents the platooning that the older players on the Patriot defense require.

Pats Challenge(s)

-Force three and outs on defense

-Run the football effectively on offense to help give the defense a rest. (Unfortunately the -pats don’t have a big bruising 250 lb running back that Colts have trouble tackling)

Colts Advantage(s)

-Defense designed to stop the pass, capable of getting pressure with only 4 guys.

Patriot Challenge(s)

-Stay patient only take the deep ball when its there. Use the tight end and slot receiver.

Patriots Advantage(s)

-Well schemed defense that is good at generating sacks

Colts Challenge(s)

Getting all of the Blitzes blocked.

Tossup(s)

I don’t trust either teams run defense. The Colts will be forced to stop the run without Bob Sanders’s support (However, the Pats have smaller backs making this more of a possibility). The Patriot run defense just isn’t that good teams have been running right at Tedy Bruschi. Richard Seymour may or may not play and be of assistance in this capacity.