JohnnyU
Footballguy
Gregg Rosenthal
13 reasons the Colts can win
1. No matchup for Clark
Tight ends give the Saints problems and there are few tight ends better than Dallas Clark. Visanthe Shiancoe found a lot of holes in the Saints defense because the New Orleans linebackers on the outside struggle in coverage. (Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma is great.)
The safeties – Darren Sharper and Roman Harper – are boom or bust as pass defenders. Sharper is a ballhawk, but heady quarterbacks know how to use his aggressiveness to their advantage. Look for Clark to have a big night.
2. Overaggressive safeties
The Saints defense is personified by Sharper and Harper. They force turnovers, line up anywhere on the field, and blitz. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams isn't afraid to gamble, and that often means he gets burned. This is especially true in the running game, where Harper has missed some tackles and Sharper gets caught cheating to pass plays.
3. Mathis and Freeney
So, Dwight Freeney has an ankle injury. Had you heard? That doesn't mean he won't be a huge factor in Sunday's game. Freeney's known for being a quick healer and his ankle improved throughout the week.
In Freeney and Robert Mathis, the Colts have the best pass rushing duo in the league. That matches up well against the Saints. If we had to pick one slight weakness in the Saints offense, it's at their tackle positions. Mathis has an uncanny sense of big moments in games.
4. Peaking defense
The Colts defense was tied for second in points allowed after 14 games, before Bill Polian and Jim Caldwell started the Curtis Painter experiment. The team is great in the red zone, and forces turnovers. The Ravens and Jets were stuffed cold by the Colts. The Jets scored most of their points on trick plays and field position. The Saints present a much tougher test, but the Colts defense enters the game playing their best.
The Colts mostly rode their defense, not Peyton Manning, to their first championship. Win or lose, we suspect they will make the difference again this time.
5. They finish
Put the Colts in any game situation, and they find a way to win. This isn't always a dominant team. Rather, it's one that excels in late and close situations.
Win 1: The Jaguars are sacked to death by Robert Mathis as they try to drive for a game-winning field goal.
Win 2: The Colts hold the ball fewer than 15 minutes of the game, but they outscore the Dolphins 14-3 late in the game to pull off a comeback four-point victory.
Win 7: The Colts score the final 12 points of the game to out-slug San Francisco 18-14. Peyton Manning has his worst game of the season, but the defense shuts the 49ers out in the second half.
Win 8: The Colts have a chance to go ahead three scores, Manning is intercepted, and the Texans come all the way back to take a fourth quarter lead. Joseph Addai gives the Colts another comeback victory with the game-winning score with seven minutes left.
Win 9: The Colts outscore the Patriots 21-3 in the final 13 minutes for a huge comeback win, including their famous stop on fourth-and-two.
Win 10: Baltimore is in field goal range to take a late lead, but Gary Brackett picks Joe Flacco off. Colts win 17-15.
Win 11: The Colts spot the Texans a 17-0 lead, before roaring back to win the AFC South 35-27.
Win14: A 65-yard score to Reggie Wayne with just over five minutes left finally puts the Colts ahead for good over Jacksonville 35-31.
AFC Championship: The Jets take a 17-6 lead late in the first half, but a four-play, 80-yard drive before intermission gets the ball rolling again for the Colts. They score the final 24 points.
6. Two minute drives
You don't win so many close games without great situational play. Peyton Manning is the undisputed master of the two-minute drill, the four-minute drive, and even the half-quarter, clock killing extended touchdown march when it's required. The Colts defense is also excellent at situational football. This is where the system and smarts of the Colts show up.
7. They have coaches on the field
There isn't a player and coach with a strong mindmeld than Peyton Manning and offensive coordinator Tom Moore. Manning is better than any quarterback at calling and changing plays. That stacks the deck in the Colts favor.
On defense, Gary Brackett's leadership is invaluable. He's made a career out of being better than others from the neck up and he gets his teammates into position.
8. Receiver depth
We like the Saints starting cornerbacks enough. We're not sure about the depth. Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie have emerged as difference makers and proven they will beat one-on-one coverage. That's what they'll see often on Sunday.
9. Speed kills
The Saints stretch the field vertically and horizontally better than any team in the league. The Colts are well equipped to chase the Saints side-to-side. There may not be a faster defense in the league at swarming to the ball.
10. They prevent big plays
Drew Brees doesn't have a reputation for having a huge arm, but the Saints are all about the big play. A lot of times it seems like Sean Payton's gameplan is just a series of small plays that kill time to set up the homerun. The Colts pride themselves in keeping plays in front of them and making opponents earn their touchdowns. The Saints can't count on too many long bombs.
11. Short-yardage
Just about the only aspect of the Colts running game that's effective is in short-yardage situations. They catch teams by surprise, and Joseph Addai knows where to knife through his offensive line. The Saints defense isn't that stout in the middle, so look for this trend to continue.
Surprisingly, the Colts are also solid stopping the run in short-yardage. Dan Muir and Antonio Johnson have given the team beef and have recorded some memorable stuffs at the goal line, including in both Baltimore wins.
12. All business
The Colts know what's at stake, and they won't get overwhelmed by the moment. They've clearly enjoyed their time in south Florida, but the team's business-like approach is conducted with one goal in mind: a championship. We'd be shocked to see this team make mental mistakes or take silly emotional penalties. They won't beat themselves.
13. The Sheriff
The rest of this list probably wasn't necessary. Titans running back Chris Johnson put it well during Super Bowl week when he picked the Colts: "With Peyton Manning, you don't need a defense or special teams."
Manning is coming off one of the best performances of his career. He's one of the all time greats, at the apex of his powers, facing a vulnerable secondary. What more do you need?
13 reasons the Colts can win
1. No matchup for Clark
Tight ends give the Saints problems and there are few tight ends better than Dallas Clark. Visanthe Shiancoe found a lot of holes in the Saints defense because the New Orleans linebackers on the outside struggle in coverage. (Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma is great.)
The safeties – Darren Sharper and Roman Harper – are boom or bust as pass defenders. Sharper is a ballhawk, but heady quarterbacks know how to use his aggressiveness to their advantage. Look for Clark to have a big night.
2. Overaggressive safeties
The Saints defense is personified by Sharper and Harper. They force turnovers, line up anywhere on the field, and blitz. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams isn't afraid to gamble, and that often means he gets burned. This is especially true in the running game, where Harper has missed some tackles and Sharper gets caught cheating to pass plays.
3. Mathis and Freeney
So, Dwight Freeney has an ankle injury. Had you heard? That doesn't mean he won't be a huge factor in Sunday's game. Freeney's known for being a quick healer and his ankle improved throughout the week.
In Freeney and Robert Mathis, the Colts have the best pass rushing duo in the league. That matches up well against the Saints. If we had to pick one slight weakness in the Saints offense, it's at their tackle positions. Mathis has an uncanny sense of big moments in games.
4. Peaking defense
The Colts defense was tied for second in points allowed after 14 games, before Bill Polian and Jim Caldwell started the Curtis Painter experiment. The team is great in the red zone, and forces turnovers. The Ravens and Jets were stuffed cold by the Colts. The Jets scored most of their points on trick plays and field position. The Saints present a much tougher test, but the Colts defense enters the game playing their best.
The Colts mostly rode their defense, not Peyton Manning, to their first championship. Win or lose, we suspect they will make the difference again this time.
5. They finish
Put the Colts in any game situation, and they find a way to win. This isn't always a dominant team. Rather, it's one that excels in late and close situations.
Win 1: The Jaguars are sacked to death by Robert Mathis as they try to drive for a game-winning field goal.
Win 2: The Colts hold the ball fewer than 15 minutes of the game, but they outscore the Dolphins 14-3 late in the game to pull off a comeback four-point victory.
Win 7: The Colts score the final 12 points of the game to out-slug San Francisco 18-14. Peyton Manning has his worst game of the season, but the defense shuts the 49ers out in the second half.
Win 8: The Colts have a chance to go ahead three scores, Manning is intercepted, and the Texans come all the way back to take a fourth quarter lead. Joseph Addai gives the Colts another comeback victory with the game-winning score with seven minutes left.
Win 9: The Colts outscore the Patriots 21-3 in the final 13 minutes for a huge comeback win, including their famous stop on fourth-and-two.
Win 10: Baltimore is in field goal range to take a late lead, but Gary Brackett picks Joe Flacco off. Colts win 17-15.
Win 11: The Colts spot the Texans a 17-0 lead, before roaring back to win the AFC South 35-27.
Win14: A 65-yard score to Reggie Wayne with just over five minutes left finally puts the Colts ahead for good over Jacksonville 35-31.
AFC Championship: The Jets take a 17-6 lead late in the first half, but a four-play, 80-yard drive before intermission gets the ball rolling again for the Colts. They score the final 24 points.
6. Two minute drives
You don't win so many close games without great situational play. Peyton Manning is the undisputed master of the two-minute drill, the four-minute drive, and even the half-quarter, clock killing extended touchdown march when it's required. The Colts defense is also excellent at situational football. This is where the system and smarts of the Colts show up.
7. They have coaches on the field
There isn't a player and coach with a strong mindmeld than Peyton Manning and offensive coordinator Tom Moore. Manning is better than any quarterback at calling and changing plays. That stacks the deck in the Colts favor.
On defense, Gary Brackett's leadership is invaluable. He's made a career out of being better than others from the neck up and he gets his teammates into position.
8. Receiver depth
We like the Saints starting cornerbacks enough. We're not sure about the depth. Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie have emerged as difference makers and proven they will beat one-on-one coverage. That's what they'll see often on Sunday.
9. Speed kills
The Saints stretch the field vertically and horizontally better than any team in the league. The Colts are well equipped to chase the Saints side-to-side. There may not be a faster defense in the league at swarming to the ball.
10. They prevent big plays
Drew Brees doesn't have a reputation for having a huge arm, but the Saints are all about the big play. A lot of times it seems like Sean Payton's gameplan is just a series of small plays that kill time to set up the homerun. The Colts pride themselves in keeping plays in front of them and making opponents earn their touchdowns. The Saints can't count on too many long bombs.
11. Short-yardage
Just about the only aspect of the Colts running game that's effective is in short-yardage situations. They catch teams by surprise, and Joseph Addai knows where to knife through his offensive line. The Saints defense isn't that stout in the middle, so look for this trend to continue.
Surprisingly, the Colts are also solid stopping the run in short-yardage. Dan Muir and Antonio Johnson have given the team beef and have recorded some memorable stuffs at the goal line, including in both Baltimore wins.
12. All business
The Colts know what's at stake, and they won't get overwhelmed by the moment. They've clearly enjoyed their time in south Florida, but the team's business-like approach is conducted with one goal in mind: a championship. We'd be shocked to see this team make mental mistakes or take silly emotional penalties. They won't beat themselves.
13. The Sheriff
The rest of this list probably wasn't necessary. Titans running back Chris Johnson put it well during Super Bowl week when he picked the Colts: "With Peyton Manning, you don't need a defense or special teams."
Manning is coming off one of the best performances of his career. He's one of the all time greats, at the apex of his powers, facing a vulnerable secondary. What more do you need?
eyton Williams Manning's first name is that of the Saints head coach and offensive guru, his middle name is that of the Saints defensive guru, and his last name is that of the Saints FORMER all time leading QB. The Saints own his very name.Gregg Williams turned in one of the great all time defensive gameplans in Super Bowl history when his defense held arguably the NFL's greatest single season offense ever - the 1999 Rams - to a mere 23 points.Gregg Williams also has coached against Peyton Williams Manning 6 times:In 4 games vs Williams defenses Peyton has averaged: 19/35 for 217 yards, 1 TD (rushing and passing), 0.5 INT. Nothing great. In 2 games vs Williams defenses he has averaged: 27/34 for 353 yards, 3.5 total TD's, no INT's - excellent. Gregg Williams also can always call on his old buddy Jeff Fisher for pointers on how to defend Peyton. They face Manning twice per year and Fisher has the book on him.In the pre-turnaround game by the Titans' D vs the Colts, they allowed Manning to 36/44 for 309 yds. 3 TD, 1 INT.But post-turnaround, the Titans held Manning to: 24/37 for 270, 1 TD, 0 INT's.
This is old hat to the Colts. I bet they slept like a baby last night, just as I did 
