November 4th, 2007; a date being built-up to go down into infamy as the quintessential battle for all football fans to revere it as the game of all games, the mid-season Superbowl or the notorious Good (Indy) vs. Evil (Pats). NFL has given us a game to anticipate, rival over and begging for more.
This game is built-up by the two most predominant programs in the NFL today, with both being undefeated facing off in a mid-season battle as to gain an advantage or claim mid-season superiority, well at least the FANS will claim. Not to mention the Home-Field advantage for the Play-offs or the lessons learned by either for the Superbowl run. This game will be a classic for years to come, never mind the winner or loser it will be the bar set for others to match-up to or surpass.
“Evil” has been identified with Bill Belichick and his P.A.T.S. (Permanently Acknowledged as Tyrant Scoundrels) for the season prelude of video scandals and cheating with those advantages. Not to mention the abundance of arrogance resonating from the team attitudes and the coach foremost with running up scores and scoffing at the notion that it’s poor sportsmanship or a classless act by a professional team. On the other side of this you have “Good”, the Colts; faith driven coach, a QB with humility and a team of spot check players that only have made a name for themselves by being with the Colts. This is why I make the comparison to Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader…you have Tony Dungy (Faith Driven-religious, stay within his means) in white (Luke Skywalker) and then you have Bill Belichick (Cheating, Scoundrel, win at any cost, Hoodie wearing Tyrant) in black with his hood. It’s a perfect parallel thus Good vs. Evil, I can’t wait to watch.
All aside, the battle will be pretty close to even. If you take a look at the stats of the seven teams that played the Colts before now, they all have better statistical value and on paper and should have beaten the Colts. To no avail, here they sit undefeated. This is in despite of their leading receiver Harrison being injured and with only two receiving TD’s on the season, an all time low for him dating back to his rookie season in 96’. However, somehow Peyton finds the open guy and R. Wayne is picking up that slack for Harrison. Wayne is on pace with Moss of the PATS but not in the TD area, of course if Dungy were to play like Belichick and run up the score maybe things would be different. The average margin of victory for the Colts has been some 17.4 points per opponent and the Pats 25.5 a difference of 8.1 in favor of the Pats. So, I have to say if the Colts stay within 8 points of the Pats then they can win. Checking out the other stats here how they match-up:
N.E. Indy
Offense: Pts: 41.4 32.0
Yds: 439.5 399.0
Pass: 303.8 258.7
Rush: 135.8 140.3
Defense: Pts: 15.9 14.6
Yds: 268.5 272.9
Pass: 181.5 165.4
Rush: 87.0 107.4
What will they do? That is the question we anticipate and even though, on paper N.E. has the advantage…the game still has to be played on the field. I am sure the Pats are reveling at the notion of taking down Mr. Commercial QB in Peyton Manning but what are the Colts waiting to do, take down Poster Boy Tom Brady. The tough and rugged Colts seem to always find a way to win and the Pats always find a way to impress.
If you can only watch one game this weekend then this is it!
Yahoo (2007). Stats. Accessed October 30, 2007 from
5 comments:
This is one game I am absolutely excited about, although I despise both teams...
Great details here and interesting analogies (exactly what I was looking for in the previous post!). Just one question: where did you get those stats? Don't forget to hyperlink or reference the original source.
Well I must say that I will be one out of many who will be on the edge of my seat for this one. Although I must disagree with the reference to Bill Bellichik being he is not all of the names that you used to describe him. Now As far as the Colts they manage to find ways to win and they can continue that against New England. But I am not sold on Indy having a victory in this one. Great blog.
Signing off,
Truly yours,
Mr. Impact "the online alter-ego"
p.s. N.E. 35 Indy 20 (Brady 3 Tds)
Nicely stated, I couldn’t agree more. This game will be a classic & colossal impact on the rest of the season via Colts or Pat fans. All bragging rights to home field advantage implications in the playoffs; it’s purely brilliant & legendary. We, NFL fans, haven’t had this much hype over a season game in forever…since the 90 Cowboys & 49ers, awesome & about time. I have noticed that we all expect a huge score, however, I foreworn that this game is also set-up to be a major let down for most fans (who proclaim big scores). Myself, I want to see a great struggle between to gigantic egos & I don’t mean Tom Brady & Peyton Manning more like Bill Belichick & his alter one (good guy – bad guy). It should be interesting to see if BB will be so content when he plays a team more versed to apply the kind of pressure he hasn’t seen thus far this season. I can’t wait to watch & Yes, even though on paper the Pats win this game but that’s why they play the games on a field as modern day gladiators.
Colts 17 – Pats 13, GO Dungy—Go Luke – Go Humanity!
I am a recovering football fan who was burnt out in the early 90’s after watching too much football and I honestly haven’t watched a game in it’s entirety since then. That said, I noticed a tinge of excitement about the game after reading your post. You explained the match up very well and your article overall is very informative. You inject a little bit of gossip type drama to spice it up a little. There is no doubt what your preference is for the outcome. No matter though, I don’t have a problem with that. You wrote about Bill Belichick? “(Cheating, Scoundrel, win at any cost, Hoodie wearing Tyrant) in black with his hood. It’s a perfect parallel thus Good vs. Evil, I can’t wait to watch.” So how do you really feel about him? I’ll check your blog periodically to stay updated and who knows; maybe I’ll tune in and survive an entire game again!
PS - I added this post after the game. I guess your flag is at half mast. We all have to take one on the chin sometime!
I am no a sports fan by no means, except for cricket or maybe a game of rugby. I lived in Boston for 2 yrs upon my arrival in the United States. I played Soft ball in High school to keep me out of trouble. While stationed in Germany and Korea to pass the time, co-ed leagues were formed and I was part of them for a brief moment until I kept dropping the balls in the infields, yes the in field.
Both of my Children during their high school years played every sport they could. My husband played, Softball, basketball and now his only sport is Golf, which is not a cheap sport. The Sunday football games are usually one sided except for when my son is visiting. I try to keep, 911 on speed dial, because he gets into those games especially when those Skins are playing you think he owns the team.
The game between the Colts and the Patriots was a great game. I was so glad when they started the game; all the talk was driving me crazy. I wanted the game to be like the Rocky movie, where both teams just became a draw. I Know Manning is still kicking himself for that fumble. My husband was for the colts, because of the whooping the Redskins received the week before. My brother on the other hand likes to call and torment my husband when the redskins lose and the patriots win.
I am happy when Sports season is hear I get to shop! Shop! Shop! My husband, Brothers, Son and every male I know has finally given up on explaining the sports of Football to me. It is a wonderful game. I do get a kick out of seeing those die hard fans and some of the attire they wear. Great site and keep up the great work, my brother love you site.
Post a Comment