As much as the NFL changes each season; we find the same teams in the AFC vying for the top position in the conference. The 6-2 Bengals and Broncos are certainly a surprise, however we are still talking about the Steelers, Colts, and Patriots in discussion of conference best. No matter what the other upstart teams do in the course of this season, the facts remain the same; Steelers, Patriots, Colts. These three teams are the best in the conference and we are going to learn alot about who is who atop the AFC.
The Steelers are one game behind the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North, despite being 6-2 overall. Pittsburgh lost to the Bengals in a week 3 upset and have a 2-2 record within the division which is not good enough compared to the Bengals 4-0 mark. The defending Super Bowl Champs are going to reclaim first place in the AFC North this Sunday with a solid dismantlement of Cincinnati. As for the other two AFC powers; they will be squaring off against each other later that evening on Sunday Night Football.
This game will play a major role in determining who will receive home field advantage in the playoffs. The Colts will not be losing more than 3 games this year so New England had better hand them their first loss of the season. Looking back to 2007 the Patriots and Colts meet in week 9 each with undefeated seasons on the line. It was almost exactly two years ago to the day this epic matchup took place; a match which saw the Patriots come from behind to stun the Colts and preserve what would ultimately be an undefeated regular season. Neither the Colts or Patriots are as good as they were back then, but this is the same game. The same old bitter rivals: New England VS. Indianapolis and Brady VS. Manning. It will be an intense contest between two of the best teams in the NFL and it will be a victory for the Patriots. New England has yet to play it's best football and the Colts have yet to play a worthy opponent this year. Brady and Moss have rediscovered their 07' magic where as the Colts are hurting on the defensive side of the ball. Indy will be missing three starters from their secondary and will still have to cover Wes Welker and Randy Moss. I see a close first half, followed by a shoot out in the second half where New England never looks back. Patriots 41-27 over the Colts.
1 comment:
Hope you are right Mike, but I think it will be a very close contest determined by: a.) whose defense can stand up the best (s/b Patriots) and b.) whose offense can score while exercising some ball control and time of possession. Go Pats!
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