[ Super Bowl MVPs Manning and Brady face each other in Week 9.]I don't care who you are, which conference you pull for, or which team your allegiance is sworn to... this IS your 2007 Super Bowl.
Not only is this the best rivalry in football, it's the biggest meeting of these two teams in their history. Yes, I realize they have met umpteen times for divisional championships, but none has had a bigger magnetic pull then the 4:15 pm game in Indianapolis this weekend. Never before in NFL history has two teams with records 7-0 teams (or better) met to play in a regular season game.
This is a battle of the reigning Super Bowl Champs and a team on pace for NFL history...How does it get better than this!!!
Let's face it, when discussing the two quarterbacks, you can't mention one quarterback without mentioning the other (or at least think of the other). Each are champions of the gridiron, demonstrating an uncanny ability to read defenses, call audibles, and utilize the staff and the system provided to them.What makes this game so incredible is the uncanny similarities in the two teams. It has never been a closer match-up. Let me explain...
The Offense:
Peyton Manning has Marvin Harrison (Dungy says he will practice Thursday and play Sunday), Reggie Wayne, and Anthony Gonzalez at WR;
Tom Brady has Randy "M-awesome", Donte Stallworth, and Wes Welker.
Manning has an unbelievable TE in Dallas Clark;
Brady with Ben Watson (practicing and expected to play).
Indianapolis has a 2006, 1st round running back in Joseph Addai;
New England also has a 2006, 1st round running back in Laurence Maroney.
The Defense:
Both have Pro-Bowl Defensive ends (IND~Dwight Freeney; NE~Richard Seymour).
They both have hard-hitting, roving Safeties (IND~Bob Sanders; NE~Rodney Harrison).
Both teams are tied with a turnover ratio of +11.
Each team can be susceptible to the run but can make a QB's day absolutely miserable.
Both have kickers who can get the job done...
Adam Vinatieri is 14 of 15 (93.3%) with a long of 39 yards
Stephen Gostkowski is 10 of 11 (90.9%) with a long of 45 yards
The Colts have an average of 18.1 yards per punt return.
The Pats have an average of 5.5 yards per punt return.
The Colts have an average of 24.7 yards per kick return (1 TD)
The Pats have an average of 22.6 yards per kick return (2 TD)
INDY averages 44.9 yards per punt.
NE averages 46.0 yards per punt.
When I review the teams and their history, it isn't the offense weapons, the defensive prowess, the special teams play, or even the "Home Field Advantage" that separates the two teams...
The difference is... are you ready for this?
THE OFFENSIVE LINE.
The reason I am selecting the Patriots to win this coming Sunday is because of the comparison of the offensive lines...
The Patriots offensive line has shown week in and week out that they are not only the most "in tune" with each other of any line in the NFL, but their depth and ability to switch positions is something that isn't seen in any line in the past. Simply put, these guys know each other better than most of their families do, predicting decisions and sacrificing for each other and the team.
The o-line is the ultimate reason I am selecting the Patriots to win.
Sure, Mathis and Freeney will get there shots, but the biggest difference is the health of the two lines...Patriots at full strength and the Colts without Tony Ugoh at clearly the most important position on the offensive line.
Another thing to consider are the injuries sustained by the Colts.. They have listed starting Left Tackle Tony Ugoh as questionable with a shoulder injury, starting CB Marlon Jackson is listed as day-to-day with a neck injury, and WR Marvin Harrison is still nursing a knee injury. (AND no "Booger" McFarland for the season, to boot).
This will not be a ridiculous game, point-wise, but I believe that we will see something like 52 - 60 points total (each defense averages around 15 p.p.g., which means that even doubling them brings it to 6o tops).
My pick: Patriots win 30 - 27.
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