Whatever I Could Find to Share

The previous post was loaded with stats, so lets look at some facts and possibilities. While most of the stats favor Indy, it gets even scarier for the Pats fan if you consider some of the matchups this game presents. First and foremost, Dwight Freeney against Logan Mankins. Yikes. How about Dwayne Starks trying to cover Marvin Harrison? I don't even want to think about that one.

Here is the Pats injury list:
Light - out
Faulk - out

Questionable:
Brown, Dillon, Dwight, Gay, Givens, Green, Hill, McGinest, Pass, Sanders, Seymour, Warren and Watson.

As always, Tom Brady is probable.

It appears that the Pats have signed RB Mike Cloud, as there is official word from Foxborough. In the last 7-10 days the Pats have worked out RB's Olandis Gary, Erik Bickerstaff, Quentin Griffin (can you say wizzenator?), Charlie Garner, and Anthony Thomas. Maybe they should have held on to Kory Chapman or Cedric Cobbs. Evidently Zeroue couldn't figure out when and who to block, that's why he got cut. To make room for Cloud, the Pats cut Arturo Freeman of all people. Who the hell is going to play Safety this week?

The national know-it-alls are calling it now or never for the Colts. Everything is stacked in the Colts favor and if they can't beat the Pats in NE this week, they'll never have a better opportunity. The Colts opponents have 'Belichicked' Manning, playing similar defenses to what the Pats have always used to slow the Colts O. Manning has had lots of practice against a Patriots-like scheme and that has led to James' MVP first half of the season. The Colts D, however, has not faced an offense anything like what the Pats can be when they come to play. It will be the first true test for their D. Looks to me like this one will be a shoot out.

ESPN Power Rankings:

1Colts
2Pitt('Berger is out at least 2 weeks and they are #2.)
3Broncos (sure, if they're playing at HOME)
4falcons (I will never understand this)
5seahaks (sure, if they're playing at HOME)
6Giants
7Bengals
8Panthers
9Pats
10 Bolts

These guys never fail to baffle me. Pats are WAY below Pitt and Atlanta, both of whom they beat on the road, but they are ahead of the Chargers who beat the Pats in NE. (rock paper siscors?)

To answer everyone's question, YES I think the Pats can win. Do I like their chances? not really. The thing about this team has always been that when you write them off, when you give them no chance to win, they play their best. We haven't seen that from this year's team so it's hard to believe that they'll pull it off. Here's what it'll take:

1. Win the turnover battle. If turnovers are even, Pats lose.

2. Brady will have to be on fire. It doesn't appear that the D will hold up, so
Tom will have to outscore Indy and convert on 3rd down.

3. Get a lead and run Dillon into the ground. Keep Peyton on the bench.

4. Win the field position battle with special teams.

5. Have the ball last. If it becomes a shoot out, whoever has it last wins.

It's going to take their best game to win this week. Since they have yet to put it all together in one game so far, the odds are pretty good that they're due for a good game. If I have to bet, I'd take NE and the points, but there is just way too much stacked against this years team to win this one. So as much as I'd like to see the Pats win, I'm picking Indy: 31-30.