As we get set for Sunday’s AFC Championship, a lot continues to be said about the teams’ week 16 matchup. That Sunday game I remember vividly. Colts fans believed if they got by the Jets, they would go into the playoffs 16-0.
The Colts had the perfect scenario. Host a decent Jets team with an outstanding defense, at home, before heading to Buffalo for the regular season finale. The thing the mass media is forgetting is that Jerraud Powers, Pierre Garcon, Clint Session, Robert Mathis, and Charlie Johnson didn’t play, and guys like Dwight Freeney were playing limited snaps.
This week will be different. The Colts are as healthy as they have been all season. Despite Bob Sanders, Tyjuan Hagler and Marlin Jackson out for the season with injury, this team has played beyond potential and excelled.
The biggest offseason pickup has to be defensive coordinator Larry Coyer. Coach Coyer has changed the philosophy and style of the defense. The defense has played tremendous. Despite other opinions, they have been very successful stopping the run with the one exception in week two at Miami.
And we can’t say enough about rookie head coach Jim Caldwell. Despite offseason losses, fighting thru the injuries and replacing a guy like Tony Dungy, Coach Caldwell has done a superb job keeping the Colts focuses and prepared for each game. He also has done a flawless job with his on-the-field decisions throughout the course of games.
Darrelle Revis will be a tough matchup for Reggie Wayne and give something extra for Manning to prepare for. But Manning and Wayne have been together on the same page for years so Revis certainly may slow him down, there will be no stopping Wayne.
The 4-time MVP in Manning will be under control and take care of business. It may take him a quarter or two to adapt, but he may be the best player in regards to in-game adjustments which provides him a tremendous advantage.
Thursday, the Colts hosted a pep rally at Lucas Oil Stadium with many former Colts players, Bob Lamey, Jim Irsay and Governor Mitch Daniels to name a few. This team is ready. This city is ready. The time is now. Colts will get it done on the field Sunday.
Notes–Peyton Manning is 8-8 in the playoffs and 4-1 (really 4-0) against Rex Ryan’s defense.
Interesting commentary here. Enough of the "experts" picking the Jets to win. The Colts are use to it and will take it. We will get it done on Sunday and prove the ESPN'S wrong.
Thanks for the updates, glad to see the Edge will is returning.
HELL YEAH Colts going all the way! SEE YOU in MIAMI!