Who knocks Indy out of the playoffs this year? (1 Viewer)

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

If the playoffs started today, Indy is the #1 seed and San Diego is the #2 seed.

Their first playoff opponent would be

1) #6 seed Denver, if they win

2) Winner of KC/New England game.

Looks like those would all be good matchups for Indy. Indy continues to dominate Denver in games that actually matter, and they look to have gotten over the New England hump.

Of course with only 1 game played this week, things change if New England wins this weekend and San Diego loses. That would place three teams at 9-3 and they haven't all played each other. The next tie breaker would be division record. Technically, New England would be the #2 seed since their 4-1 division record is better than San Diego's 3-1 record.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

New England

 

[H.K.]

Peyton Manning.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Ranking the teams I think have the best shot to beat Indy I'd go...

1) San Diego

2) New England

3) Baltimore

I don't think any of the other teams have enough defense to give Indy problems which has been their downfall the last few years.

Tomlimson would run absolutely wild on Indy, and assuming their D is back in one piece, they are tailor made to give Indy trouble.

I picked New England 2nd, because I think their run game will do a better job against Indy than Baltimore's, although I think Baltimore has a better D.

 

[H.K.]

Ranking the teams I think have the best shot to beat Indy I'd go...

1) San Diego

2) New England

3) Baltimore

I don't think any of the other teams have enough defense to give Indy problems which has been their downfall the last few years.

Tomlimson would run absolutely wild on Indy, and assuming their D is back in one piece, they are tailor made to give Indy trouble.

I picked New England 2nd, because I think their run game will do a better job against Indy than Baltimore's, although I think Baltimore has a better D.

I think the dream scenario for Indy is HFA with their first game not being NE or Balt and a Conf. Final vs. SD. If this happens I think they'll win it all.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Indy to me is the favorite and if someone told me you get 1 million dollars if you pick the team who's going to the SB in the AFC, I'd pick them.

However, if you knew that they got beat and told me that I'd get 1 million dollars to guess the team that beat them......I'd pick San Diego.

To beat them, you need to not only have a team that has good defense and good offense......but a team that can run the ball. When Pittsburgh beat Indy last year, they were able to control the game with their running attack putting a lot of pressure on the Colts offense everytime they touched the ball.

I believe that the only team that's running the ball well enough to do that in the AFC right now is the Chargers.

 

[djcolts]

I don't think this question can really be answered until we know which teams get which seeds in the AFC.

 

[Floyd The Barber]

The best way to beat Manning is to make him uncomfortable in the pocket with pressure up the middle. I he gets the chance to set his feet he'll kill you.

On that basis, the favorites to knock him off would be Chicago, Baltimore or New England.

 

[softball]

Peyton Manning.

Fixed:Tony Dungy

The WORST "best" head coach in the NFL.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I don't think this question can really be answered until we know which teams get which seeds in the AFC.

I asked this question a few weeks ago, in the form of "Which team will send the Colts home, SD or NE"?The correct answer was: "Whichever meets them first."

 

[jonessed]

SD matches up quite well against the Colts. Heavy pass rush and great running game. Those have been the Colts achilles heals for the past few years. NE just always seems to have a great game plan for them, but I don't believe they are as strong as they were in the past.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Flawed.

The answer is Cincinnati

-QG

 

[IM666]

Peyton Manning.

Fixed:Tony Dungy

The WORST "best" head coach in the NFL.

Sadly this may have been a contributing factor last year. After his personal tragedy late in the year, he did not seem to be as focused. Not that I blame him of course.

 

[The Jacket]

Baltimore matches up horribly with the Colts.

You have to be able to do two things: run the ball and stop the pass.

I think San Diego has to have the best shot, with KC and Jacksonville not far behind. They all matchup well with the Colts as do the Patriots.

 

[bshipper]

Flawed.The answer is Cincinnati -QG

They should at least be an option for crying out loud, since JAX and NYJ were specifically included.

 

[Kit Fisto]

Indy continues to dominate Denver in games that actually matter, and they look to have gotten over the New England hump.

They haven't gotten over the "NE in the playoffs hump" yet.I voted NE, but I think the Colts are going down in their first game again this year. Maybe one of these days they'll get themselves a defense.

 

[Marc Levin]

Baltimore matches up horribly with the Colts.You have to be able to do two things: run the ball and stop the pass.I think San Diego has to have the best shot, with KC and Jacksonville not far behind. They all matchup well with the Colts as do the Patriots.

The Ravens can stop the pass - their run game, OTOH . . . .I also do not believe the Ravens can beat Indie in their dome. They just seem to play a bit worse on the road - could just be my perception.I believe SD, Jax, and NE can all go into Indie and beat them.

 

[Marc Levin]

P.S. - you also HAVE TO generate 20 points on offense - however you do it - and the Ravens can't do that.

That might remove JAX, as well.

BTW, to beat the Colts, you must play with a LEAD more than anything else - Pitt last year in the playoffs, Dallas last year, and all of New England's victories over the Colts saw the Colts in catch-up mode for a large percentage of the game.

Manning plays much better if he jumps out hot and the Colts score first - check out their "leading game" time of possession - it's insane. One trick to beating the Colts is to stymie Manning a little bit early and then score to force the Colts to play from behind, and keep scoring to stay ahead (I know that's kind of a Maddenism, but you know what I mean)

 

[djcolts]

Of course with only 1 game played this week, things change if New England wins this weekend and San Diego loses. That would place three teams at 9-3 and they haven't all played each other. The next tie breaker would be division record. Technically, New England would be the #2 seed since their 4-1 division record is better than San Diego's 3-1 record.

Division record has nothing to do with deterimining the seeds between division winners. It is conference record first, then games between common opponents (minimum of 4 games), then strength of victory.Let's say the Chargers, Ravens and Pats all finish 13-3. The Ravens would be the #2 seed because they would have the conference record TB over the Pats, and "might" have the conference TB over the Chargers (but they would beat them in a head-to-head TB, but the 3-way TB knocks out the "weakest" team first). So, who gets the #4 seed depends on who the Chargers lose to. If they lose to the Bills or Broncos (a common opponent of the Chargers and Pats), then both teams would have the same record against common opponents - and the #4 seed would be determined by the strength of victory tiebreaker. If the Chargers lose to Seattle or Arizona, then the Chargers would win the conference record TB over the Pats. If the Chargers lose to the Chiefs, then they'd tie the Pats on the conference record, but beat the Pats with the common opponents TB.So, let's say the Pats are the #4 seed. Then, it becomes a 2-way TB between the Ravens and the Chargers, and the Ravens would win that head-to-head TB based on their victory over the Chargers.So, in that scenario - #2 Ravens, #3 Chargers, #4 Pats.

 

[shredhead]

I say Denver. I have no basis for saying that except for the homerism factor. That and the fact that I can bump this thread and pat my own back if it does somehow happen. Denver has been destroyed by Indy in the last 2 playoff meetings and it's time for some revenge. Jay Cutler will destroy them in the playoffs (if Denver even makes it to the playoffs).

I gotta agree with Quizguy66, after last night, Cincy should at least be an option on this poll!

 

[Marc Levin]

after last night, Cincy should at least be an option on this poll!

Agreed they should be an option.I would love to see the matchup - would also love to see the game compete for highest combined scoring/yardage playoff game ever.

 

[pizzatyme]

I don't think this question can really be answered until we know which teams get which seeds in the AFC.

I asked this question a few weeks ago, in the form of "Which team will send the Colts home, SD or NE"?The correct answer was: "Whichever meets them first."

Based on SD's recent playoff success, I can see why people think this way!

 

[jonessed]

I don't think this question can really be answered until we know which teams get which seeds in the AFC.

I asked this question a few weeks ago, in the form of "Which team will send the Colts home, SD or NE"?The correct answer was: "Whichever meets them first."

Based on SD'd recent playoff success, I can see why people think this way!

Oh, the irony

 

[Banger]

I don't think this question can really be answered until we know which teams get which seeds in the AFC.

I asked this question a few weeks ago, in the form of "Which team will send the Colts home, SD or NE"?The correct answer was: "Whichever meets them first."

Based on SD's recent playoff success, I can see why people think this way!

I fail to see the logic in this statement. Teams can only win in the playoffs if they've won in the past? It's about this year and how teams match up this year. You don't think SD can run all day long on that seive of a defense? The Chargers also have one of the best defenses in the league once Merriman/Castillo return. SD has an offense that can go toe to toe with Indy and SD's defense is MUUCCCHH better. Homefield will even the playing field though. I wouldn't love that matchup if I were an Indy fan.

 

[Marc Levin]

Based on SD's recent playoff success, I can see why people think this way!

I fail to see the logic in this statement. Teams can only win in the playoffs if they've won in the past? It's about this year and how teams match up this year. You don't think SD can run all day long on that seive of a defense? The Chargers have one of the best defenses in the league once Merriman/Castillo return. SD has an offense that can go toe to toe with Indy and SD's defense is MUUCCCHH better. Homefield will even the playing field though. I wouldn't love that matchup if I were an Indy fan.

exactly - SD is even MORE suited to beat Indie then Pitt was last year.Didn't SD beat Indie in the reg. season last year? And they are better this year than last.

 

[Banger]

Based on SD's recent playoff success, I can see why people think this way!

I fail to see the logic in this statement. Teams can only win in the playoffs if they've won in the past? It's about this year and how teams match up this year. You don't think SD can run all day long on that seive of a defense? The Chargers have one of the best defenses in the league once Merriman/Castillo return. SD has an offense that can go toe to toe with Indy and SD's defense is MUUCCCHH better. Homefield will even the playing field though. I wouldn't love that matchup if I were an Indy fan.

exactly - SD is even MORE suited to beat Indie then Pitt was last year.Didn't SD beat Indie in the reg. season last year? And they are better this year than last.

yes, Merriman caused Manning fits in Indy I believe.

 

[Marc Levin]

And I find it MORE than a little amusing that, in a thread about who will beat Indie in the PLAYOFFS, someone cites another team's playoff record.

since 1995, Indie has won 5 of their 13 playoff games - PITIFUL!!!! And Indie fans REALLY don't want me to add in the team's total playoff record - it is even worse.

 

[Banger]

And I find it MORE than a little amusing that, in a thread about who will beat Indie in the PLAYOFFS, someone cites another team's playoff record.since 1995, Indie has won 5 of their 13 playoff games - PITIFUL!!!! And Indie fans REALLY don't want me to add in the team's total playoff record - it is even worse.

and a number have probably been home losses. I'm not sure when they will get it if ever but they won't be able to win consistently in the playoffs until they get at least a decent defense. There a very good regular season team but teams need a defense to win. It's not rocket science but a good defense beats a good offense more times than not and Indy's potential playoff opponents all have excellent defenses (Balt, SD and NE).

 

[djcolts]

And I find it MORE than a little amusing that, in a thread about who will beat Indie in the PLAYOFFS, someone cites another team's playoff record.since 1995, Indie has won 5 of their 13 playoff games - PITIFUL!!!! And Indie fans REALLY don't want me to add in the team's total playoff record - it is even worse.

and a number have probably been home losses. I'm not sure when they will get it if ever but they won't be able to win consistently in the playoffs until they get at least a decent defense. There a very good regular season team but teams need a defense to win. It's not rocket science but a good defense beats a good offense more times than not and Indy's potential playoff opponents all have excellent defenses (Balt, SD and NE).

2 have been home losses. The rest were on the road.I will say, it seems like it better for a team's reputation to not make the playoffs than to make the playoffs and lose in 1st game. 2 of the years the Colts made the playoffs they simply were not a good team at all, but they fought their way into the playoffs, and then lost on the road in the WC team (one was a horrible blowout, one was because Vandershank choked).

 

[Banger]

And I find it MORE than a little amusing that, in a thread about who will beat Indie in the PLAYOFFS, someone cites another team's playoff record.since 1995, Indie has won 5 of their 13 playoff games - PITIFUL!!!! And Indie fans REALLY don't want me to add in the team's total playoff record - it is even worse.

and a number have probably been home losses. I'm not sure when they will get it if ever but they won't be able to win consistently in the playoffs until they get at least a decent defense. There a very good regular season team but teams need a defense to win. It's not rocket science but a good defense beats a good offense more times than not and Indy's potential playoff opponents all have excellent defenses (Balt, SD and NE).

2 have been home losses. The rest were on the road.I will say, it seems like it better for a team's reputation to not make the playoffs than to make the playoffs and lose in 1st game. 2 of the years the Colts made the playoffs they simply were not a good team at all, but they fought their way into the playoffs, and then lost on the road in the WC team (one was a horrible blowout, one was because Vandershank choked).

Unlike most people I don't put a ton of weight what happened last year, two years ago, etc. Those are all nice interesting facts but most teams change so much personnel wise, injury wise, coaching wise, chemistry wise, etc. that I think it's WAY overblown by many people. It may be a small factor but the thing that really counts is what the teams are doing this year, how they've changed, how their opponents have changed. What relevance does last years playoffs have if Indy significantly improved it's defense (which it hasn't but just as an example). The problem is is that I look at Indy and I see a good offense (not as good as with Edge IMO) but a defense that's probably worse so for that reason I think their playoff results will stay the same, not because Manning can't win the big game, or because they've lost 8 of their last 10 playoff games, etc.I used the same analogy when LT went into Denver. Just because they stopped him everytime in the past many thought it was automatic that he was going to be shutdown again. Things change and history is nice but it's exactly that, history.

 

[sinatravolta]

Indy to me is the favorite and if someone told me you get 1 million dollars if you pick the team who's going to the SB in the AFC, I'd pick them.However, if you knew that they got beat and told me that I'd get 1 million dollars to guess the team that beat them......I'd pick San Diego.To beat them, you need to not only have a team that has good defense and good offense......but a team that can run the ball. When Pittsburgh beat Indy last year, they were able to control the game with their running attack putting a lot of pressure on the Colts offense everytime they touched the ball.I believe that the only team that's running the ball well enough to do that in the AFC right now is the Chargers.

 

[pizzatyme]

I find it interesting that some on here seem to think that because the Colts have played a tougher schedule than SD, the Colts have more wins than SD, and the Colts will again have HFA unless something weird plays out the rest of the season, that the Colts are an easy out for whomever they face in the playoffs.

Mr. Levin, it all comes down to your bias based on the Colts previous playoff mishaps.

I have no reason to think the Colts will win it all. I can't based on their playoff failures of years gone by. However, for some to think that SD with an untested QB is going to steamroll their way through Indy and the rest of the playoffs, is also unfounded.

Those of you thinking the Colts defense is at full strenght, you are mistaken. It humors me when a team known for defense has players out, they are given a pass when it comes to poor performance. But, when a team, such as the Colts, known for a subpar defense, has players out and performs poorly, noone seems to give that any consideration.

For those of you with a short memory, the Colts had a top 10 D just last year. Their primary run defender, Bob Sanders, has been out most of the year. The Colts are letting him get back to full health. When he plays the defense is much better!

Take Roy Williams off the Cowboys. Take Rodney Harrison off the Pats. Take Troy Polamalu off the Steelers. They are all weakened.

Bob Sanders means more to the Colts defense than all of these guys mean to their respective teams.

The Chargers don't even have HFA wrapped up. Therefore they could have to make a road trip. And many are annointing them the AFC Champ? Crown 'em if you want to! I'm not.

 

[Marc Levin]

Mr. Levin, it all comes down to your bias based on the Colts previous playoff mishaps.

Ummmmm - try reading the thread again. I have no bias.I was responding to someone who said (paraphrasing) "it's funny anyone would vote SD given SD's recent playoff hstory" So, Indie's playoff history comes into the dicussion, and I put up FACTS.I agree with banger - last year has nothing to do with this year. THIS year, Indie is susceptible to the run, and they have problems moving against defenses that have good pass Ds. Last year's better defensive team was beat by a Pitt team employing a strategy that SD employs every week.IMO, SD is a STRONGER team than the Colts - and SD matches up with the Colts VERY well. If, somehow, Indie loses home field advantage and have to go into SD in the playoffs, then I believe the Chargers would beat them EASILY. As it stands, in Indie, I think it'll be a good game with the Chargers coming out on top by 6-10 points.I hav eno bias against Indie. This year's team is, IMO, not as strong as the team they had the last two years, and they will have to face a couple of very tough AFC teams in the playoffs.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

After San Diego, it's a pretty even split between Indy as SB winner and Indy losing to the Pats.

 

[pizzatyme]

And I find it MORE than a little amusing that, in a thread about who will beat Indie in the PLAYOFFS, someone cites another team's playoff record.since 1995, Indie has won 5 of their 13 playoff games - PITIFUL!!!! And Indie fans REALLY don't want me to add in the team's total playoff record - it is even worse.

Marc, any stats on how many of those games Indy was the favorite? How about how many other teams have played in 13 playoff games since 1995? And the records of those teams in those 13 games?And, by the way, it is Indy, not Indie.

 

[pizzatyme]

Mr. Levin, it all comes down to your bias based on the Colts previous playoff mishaps.

Ummmmm - try reading the thread again. I have no bias.I was responding to someone who said (paraphrasing) "it's funny anyone would vote SD given SD's recent playoff hstory" So, Indie's playoff history comes into the dicussion, and I put up FACTS.I agree with banger - last year has nothing to do with this year. THIS year, Indie is susceptible to the run, and they have problems moving against defenses that have good pass Ds. Last year's better defensive team was beat by a Pitt team employing a strategy that SD employs every week.IMO, SD is a STRONGER team than the Colts - and SD matches up with the Colts VERY well. If, somehow, Indie loses home field advantage and have to go into SD in the playoffs, then I believe the Chargers would beat them EASILY. As it stands, in Indie, I think it'll be a good game with the Chargers coming out on top by 6-10 points.I hav eno bias against Indie. This year's team is, IMO, not as strong as the team they had the last two years, and they will have to face a couple of very tough AFC teams in the playoffs.

Well, if Indy can just improve a little on the vaunted Oakland Raiders gameplan, maybe they'll have a chance?!

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Apparently, I should've added a "they won't make the playoffs" option.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I'd say they'd be pretty tough at home so I'll go with their first road game in the playoffs. Baltimore?

 

[Marc Levin]

Mr. Levin, it all comes down to your bias based on the Colts previous playoff mishaps.

Ummmmm - try reading the thread again. I have no bias.I was responding to someone who said (paraphrasing) "it's funny anyone would vote SD given SD's recent playoff hstory" So, Indie's playoff history comes into the dicussion, and I put up FACTS.I agree with banger - last year has nothing to do with this year. THIS year, Indie is susceptible to the run, and they have problems moving against defenses that have good pass Ds. Last year's better defensive team was beat by a Pitt team employing a strategy that SD employs every week.IMO, SD is a STRONGER team than the Colts - and SD matches up with the Colts VERY well. If, somehow, Indie loses home field advantage and have to go into SD in the playoffs, then I believe the Chargers would beat them EASILY. As it stands, in Indie, I think it'll be a good game with the Chargers coming out on top by 6-10 points.I hav eno bias against Indie. This year's team is, IMO, not as strong as the team they had the last two years, and they will have to face a couple of very tough AFC teams in the playoffs.

Well, if Indy can just improve a little on the vaunted Oakland Raiders gameplan, maybe they'll have a chance?!

I'm sorry you are right - today shows how much better Ind is playing than SD

 

[BGP]

Indy to me is the favorite and if someone told me you get 1 million dollars if you pick the team who's going to the SB in the AFC, I'd pick them.

How about this stat:The Colts are on pace to allow 363 points. The most points allowed by any team that played in a super bowl was 332 by the 1983 Redskins (14-2) who lost to the Raiders 38-9.

 

[Sweeper]

There should be a "who ever they play first in the playoffs" option.

I pick that one.

 

[Marc Levin]

Sweeper's answer = leading write-in candidate at this point.

 

[djcolts]

There should be a "who ever they play first in the playoffs" option. I pick that one.

Is there a "not even make the playoffs option?" I don't even think they'd beat Houston right now. Yes, I'm serious.

 

[Sweeper]

There should be a "who ever they play first in the playoffs" option. I pick that one.

Is there a "not even make the playoffs option?" I don't even think they'd beat Houston right now. Yes, I'm serious.

They have been exposed. I have my doubts about Houston being able to beat them and perhaps the Raiders but other then that I think just about any team can give them a run for their money (at the least).

 

[-OZ-]

Let's see...

Good defense, strong running attack, adequate cover corners, seems to be the forumla.

They certainly won't beat San Diego or Baltimore.

Probably not Denver or New England.

I'd like to say they wouldn't beat Kansas City, but when did KC last win a playoff game?

 

[BoltzNBrew]

whoever plays them in the first round.

 

[Cixelsyd]

The Indy Rush D knocks them out...

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Indy's run defense will knock them out of the playoffs.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I vote for "the first team they play" unless something big changes with this defense.

J

 

[brobe4]

Rumor has it they signed the diet pepsi machine today. That guy can fill a hole.