Colts, Pats clash in epic contest
Graham Tucker '11
Issue date: 11/7/07 Section: Sports
We all know the dynamic history of these two perennial powerhouse teams. They have met each other three times in the playoffs in the past four years. Peyton Manning is 1-2 against the Patriots in the playoffs, his only win coming off a disastrous game by the Patriots in which they blew a 15-point lead at half time.
Though the Patriots are 6-3 against the Colts during the regular season since 2004, the Patriots have undoubtedly felt a sense of urgency to show the Colts that they were the team that should have won the 2006 AFC Championship game. They will seek to solidify their place as the best team in football, in what was one of the most anticipated regular season games in NFL history.
The arguably two most talented and successful quarterbacks, the two smartest and savvy coaches and the most dominating offenses in the league played a historic game that featured great playoff implications.
Though the Colts won the Super Bowl last year, the Patriots answered back by grabbing the best defensive player in the market, Adalius Thomas, and the best three wide receivers during the off-season: Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth.
This revamping of a team that was already an astounding 12-4 during the 2006 season, has turned them into the most dominating force in the NFL, out-scoring there opponents an astounding 331 points to 127 points and their closest game coming against the Browns on October 7th, in which they won by 17 points.
After eight games and eight blowouts, thanks in large part to Brady's historic season by staying on pace to shatter the single season record for touchdowns thrown and passer rating, the Patriots undoubtedly counted themselves ready for their biggest test of the season.
It was the main event that everyone had been looking forward to since the 2006 AFC Championship game ended in miraculous fashion.
As it played out, New England overcame a ten point deficit in the fourth quarter to rally for a 24-20 win. Tom Brady was held in check during the first half, only to unleash in the final moments of the game. While Joseph Addai gained 226 total yards, Belichick's defense stood tall and forced a fumble late in the game, when it mattered most.
Though the Patriots are 6-3 against the Colts during the regular season since 2004, the Patriots have undoubtedly felt a sense of urgency to show the Colts that they were the team that should have won the 2006 AFC Championship game. They will seek to solidify their place as the best team in football, in what was one of the most anticipated regular season games in NFL history.
The arguably two most talented and successful quarterbacks, the two smartest and savvy coaches and the most dominating offenses in the league played a historic game that featured great playoff implications.
Though the Colts won the Super Bowl last year, the Patriots answered back by grabbing the best defensive player in the market, Adalius Thomas, and the best three wide receivers during the off-season: Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth.
This revamping of a team that was already an astounding 12-4 during the 2006 season, has turned them into the most dominating force in the NFL, out-scoring there opponents an astounding 331 points to 127 points and their closest game coming against the Browns on October 7th, in which they won by 17 points.
After eight games and eight blowouts, thanks in large part to Brady's historic season by staying on pace to shatter the single season record for touchdowns thrown and passer rating, the Patriots undoubtedly counted themselves ready for their biggest test of the season.
It was the main event that everyone had been looking forward to since the 2006 AFC Championship game ended in miraculous fashion.
As it played out, New England overcame a ten point deficit in the fourth quarter to rally for a 24-20 win. Tom Brady was held in check during the first half, only to unleash in the final moments of the game. While Joseph Addai gained 226 total yards, Belichick's defense stood tall and forced a fumble late in the game, when it mattered most.
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