markf 0 Posted January 8, 2007 Manning passes for 500 yards! Ravens score 8 defensive TD's! Lewis runs for 300! Freeney rips McNair's sternum out and waves it around like a cowboy! There... everyone's got it out of their system... so let the real football talk begin. One player from each team that I believe will be the difference maker: Colts: Dallas Clark. Once thought lost for the season with a knee inujury, he rolled up over 100 against KC, mainly because he's lining up in the slot now where Stockley/Proel would have been. He is also absolutely essential for the Colts running game at this point. The games that he missed... he was missed. Ravens: Steve McNair. He's got history with Indy. He's not afraid of them at all, and could feel 5 years younger against this defense. His mobility and leg-strength will be the key. If he still has any juice left in him to break tackles and sprint for yardage when the pocket collapses... that will be all Balt needs. Just my opinion, mind you. Should be a good one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarvis Basnight 119 Posted January 8, 2007 The Colts looked just okay against a horribly QB'd, horribly coached Kansas City team. And I mean horribly coached! Brian Billick is no Herm Edwards and the Baltimore D is a lot better than the KC defense which looked pretty good against Peyton. Billick + McNair + Lewis + Defense > Peyton, which is all Indy really has. (Addai only goes as far as Peyton lets him) Baltimore 27 - Indy 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ras66not99 0 Posted January 8, 2007 3 words... HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE... I've been to tons of NFL playoff games and it means so much having that edge... especially to a team that audibles so much like Manning and Indy.... if that Balt crowd can be disturbing all day long and that defense play anywhere like they've been playing all year, I can't see Indy having a chance.... however this offense can be so in sync at times since they know each other so well that maybe they can overcome the crowd noise and hostile enviornment.... Indy has been pretty damn good on the road over the years due to the fact that the offense can overcome this problem which usually really effects most teams... however this year is a little different IMO since Indy hasn't really played well on the road after a big win.... I mean they shut down Cinci on that Monday Night and looked like they were back and then went to Houston and lost to the Texans ? A few weeks before that I think they beat Philly down and then lost back to back road games to Tennessee and Jax.... and Dallas beat them also .... so they've lost their last 4 road games which isn't the best sign for INDY fans... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markf 0 Posted January 8, 2007 Home field will be a huge advantage, no doubt. But not so much because of the noise. Remember that Indy switched several years ago to a completely silent count. Manning yells what he can... but when they're on the road they do it all by hand motions with pretty good success. Obviously they'd rather do it audibly like at home... so it could account for a few miscues. If you want a good idea of how they handle the noise against strong defenses... check out the stats from the Indy@Denver and Indy@NE games earlier in the year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
football_scooter 0 Posted January 8, 2007 Let's call this game what it is: The "Who Will Lose to the Chargers Bowl" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadLizard 73 Posted January 8, 2007 Let's call this game what it is: The "Who Will Lose to the Chargers Bowl" Dont you mean "Who will get lulled to sleep by the Patriots" bowl? The Chargers arent dumb enough to think they can beat the ultimate nameless, faceless, personaliti-less football machine. Neither of teams stand a chance against the Pats so why even bother playing? Whatever..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markf 0 Posted January 8, 2007 Let's call this game what it is: The "Who Will Lose to the Chargers Bowl" And that's how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsieroll pop. 5 posts before the smack returns. So... not feeling too good about the Pats chances out West? Never know with Brady and the boys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
football_scooter 0 Posted January 8, 2007 And that's how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsieroll pop. 5 posts before the smack returns. So... not feeling too good about the Pats chances out West? Never know with Brady and the boys. I don't do well with orders? They came perilously close to getting beaten by a rat's ass overachieving Jets team with an injured Coles and a shakey run game. In fact, they did lose one game to them this year, at home. Tomlinson is a whole new animal for the Pats compared to the pocket-sized Washington. And Gates presents another problem for them. Plus the SD Defense makes the jets look like a cuddly basket of kittens. Brady will be sacked 4 times, hurried and hit several more. Predictoration: SD 42 - NE 23 Brady = 17/27 for 178 yds, 1 TD, 3 Int. Tomlinson 162 RuYd, 2 RuTD/37 ReYd, 1 passing TD Gates 76 reYd, 1 ReTD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blue Barbarian 0 Posted January 8, 2007 Manning passes for 500 yards! Ravens score 8 defensive TD's! Lewis runs for 300! Freeney rips McNair's sternum out and waves it around like a cowboy! There... everyone's got it out of their system... so let the real football talk begin. One player from each team that I believe will be the difference maker: Colts: Dallas Clark. Once thought lost for the season with a knee inujury, he rolled up over 100 against KC, mainly because he's lining up in the slot now where Stockley/Proel would have been. He is also absolutely essential for the Colts running game at this point. The games that he missed... he was missed. Ravens: Steve McNair. He's got history with Indy. He's not afraid of them at all, and could feel 5 years younger against this defense. His mobility and leg-strength will be the key. If he still has any juice left in him to break tackles and sprint for yardage when the pocket collapses... that will be all Balt needs. Just my opinion, mind you. Should be a good one. Colts have plenty of experience with McNair, playing Titans twice a year. Colts pass defense is complete opposite of their run defense. Ravens need to bring their "A" passing game to have a shot. Baltimore D is no doubt best in the league. But they have still lost 3 straight to the Colts. Thinking Colts 20 Ravens 17. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMoney 0 Posted January 8, 2007 sooooooooooo....the team that left baltimore in the dead of night...comes back to baltimore for a playoff tilt?... a defensive crew that we wouldnt walk by at night vs a pretty boy quarterback?.... no one throw more accurate, tighter spiral darts than peyton..... in a dome... now..its outside...in baltimore... joseph maydie... ravens are going to kill them...and win the game also.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarvis Basnight 119 Posted January 8, 2007 a defensive crew that we wouldnt walk by at night vs a pretty boy quarterback?.... You must have missed this. http://www.fftodayforums.com/forum/index.p...howtopic=263322 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ras66not99 0 Posted January 9, 2007 Ravens need to bring their "A" passing game to have a shot. They NEED to bring their A passing game TO HAVE A SHOT ? That's an odd statement to make IMO... How about they just truck through them the way Ron Dayne did on route to a victory.... would make a little more sense to just run the ball and play defense like only they can... control the clock a little... move the chains like McNair was brought in to do... keep that defense fresh & hungry.... you know stuff like that This sure as $hit isn't a nice comfy Dome with The TEXANS defense waiting there as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DocNiner 71 Posted January 9, 2007 Colts defense will step up again and keep the Ravens outta the endzone. Baltimore's defense will keep Indy outta the endzone. Only scoring will be by Vinatieri and Stover. In a boring defensive game the Ravens win it in the bottom of the 9th inning 9 to 6. There could be a touchdown in this game though. Peyton threw 3 int's against the Chiefs so it's quite possible the Baltimore defense could return an interception for a touchdown making the final score Baltimore- 16 ::: Indy- 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swamp dog 0 Posted January 9, 2007 The Colts looked just okay against a horribly QB'd, horribly coached Kansas City team. And I mean horribly coached! Brian Billick is no Herm Edwards and the Baltimore D is a lot better than the KC defense which looked pretty good against Peyton. Billick + McNair + Lewis + Defense > Peyton, which is all Indy really has. (Addai only goes as far as Peyton lets him) Baltimore 27 - Indy 17 the ravens defense is the best defense in the playoffs right now. either conference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captian America 0 Posted January 9, 2007 You can pass on Baltimore so look for the Colts to win 27 to 17. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markf 0 Posted January 11, 2007 the ravens defense is the best defense in the playoffs right now. either conference. True. And the Colts can be the best offense in the playoffs right now. So this will be quite a showdown. Honestly, I'm not sure which way this one will go... but I do predict a LOT of field goals. Colts - 13 Ravens - 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RLLD 4,275 Posted January 11, 2007 General thoughts I have: - Peyton is out of his climate-controlled house, must come out in the bitter Baltimore cold, and wont like it. The worse the weather the worse of a day he has. - The Colts wont be able to run the ball. - Peyton is good enough to pick apart the Ravens pass D, unless they start getting to him. If they get to him, he might not last the game. - The Ravens MUST run the ball, it MUST be 60-40 in favor of the run at the very least. - The Ravens MUST accentuate Todd Heap - If the Ravens hold the ball longer than the Colts and get at least two turnovers, they win the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
berven 0 Posted January 12, 2007 For IND, the best defense is a good offense. Rather than slugging it out with BALT, they need to try for big plays. Easier said than done, but if they can get a sizable lead, BALT will not be able to catch up with Matt Stover FGs. I like Indy in this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RLLD 4,275 Posted January 12, 2007 Saturday's Weather Report Showers possible. Highs in the low 60's and lows in the mid 40's. If it rains, and dips into the 40's, Peyton aint gonna be happy... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brick Tamland 0 Posted January 12, 2007 Non-Baltimore or Indy homer perspective.... This has to be close to the lock of the year. Baltimore being just a 4 point favorite is a joke. Had the Colts not had a strong defensive showing vs. KC, this spread would be closer to 9! Vegas knows the betting public bases a majority of bets on last week's performance, so they've dropped this to 4 to get action both ways. This game could get ugly, but I think Indy may get a late touch to make the game look closer than what it really was. Baltimore 31 Indy 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redtodd 7 Posted January 13, 2007 The Colts will score 17 points. It is up to the Ravens to score more than that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JT 137 Posted January 13, 2007 You can pass on Baltimore so look for the Colts to win 27 to 17. Baltimore pass defense ranked #6 in the NFL, giving up 16 TD and getting 28 INT. The biggest day any QB had against them this year, Brees going for 383 yds at home, came after the Ravens got out to a 35-7 lead. Lots of yards to be had when you trail like that. Yeah, there have been isolated instances where a QB has had ok numbers, but this defense is brutal. Indy has trouble against the 3-4 defense. They have beaten the Ravens the last 3 times, but those Boller-led offenses were a train wreck. Indy hasn't won a road game since week 8, and went 4-4 on the road this year, losing to Houston, Jacksonville, dallas and Tennessee. Yes, their putrid run defense stepped up at home vs a truly average Chiefs team in Indy last week, but that's just a continuation of the regular season when they gave up almost 75 yds more rushing on the road than at home. Away from Indy they've been sieve-like: 153 yds to Dayne (37 in Indy); 300 yds rushing to Jax (100 fewer in Indy). Ravens are 7-1 at home this year, last losing in wk 6. They have the best home record in the NFL since 2000. Baltimore wins this game, though I doubt I'll wager on it; -4 points is a lot for a Ravens team that averages 22 ppg (23.5 at home). Baltimore 21-17 Two guys that I think could be key: Mason and Mike Anderson. The Colts will sell out to try and stop the run. Mason & Clayton are better than the Chiefs WR, who couldn't catch a cold. Mason's ability to move the chains will be a big deal. Anderson will play on 3rd downs and when Lewis needs a spell. Look for him to have some big runs; he's the Ravens runner best able to break the first line of defense and take it 15 yds downfield. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RLLD 4,275 Posted January 13, 2007 Mason & Clayton are better than the Chiefs WR, who couldn't catch a cold Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigtuna 0 Posted January 13, 2007 Peyton Manning is a flaming CHOKER has anyone considered that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markf 0 Posted January 14, 2007 Peyton Manning is a flaming CHOKER has anyone considered that? Looked pretty composed in the face of the heat tonight? Couple picks... but kept the chains moving. Agree? Or just... you know... a hater. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
