The Pats face off against the Colts in week 9 with both teams hoping to re-establish their dominance on the league. Last years meeting couldn't be any more different. Both teams had perfect records going into the game which was hailed as potentially better than the Super Bowl. The Pats edged the Colts 24-20 and marched on to a 16-0 regular season. Tom Brady threw an NFL record 50 touchdowns and Colts safety Bob Sanders picked up NFL defensive player of the year.
What a difference a year makes.
NFL MVP Brady received a season ending hit in the first game allowing fourth year QB Matt Cassel to take the reigns of the best offence in league history. Despite some early woes, Cassel has taken the Pats to a 5-2 record who sit atop the AFC East with Buffalo.
The Colts have been somewhat subdued this season. After missing the entire preseason with a knee injury Peyton Manning's usual precision and timing hasn't been there. Alongside injuries to Sanders and RB Joseph Addai the Colts have posted a 3-4 record. With the Titans running away with the division a win seems vital for the Colts.
The return of the linchpin of the Colts defence, Sanders, as well as Addai will give the Colts optimism ahead of the game.
Last week New England posted a win against the Rams in which Cassel recorded his first fourth quarter come back when he found Keven Faulk for a 15-yard touchdown pass to take the score to 23-16.
The Colts couldn't stop the Titans unbeaten run last week. After a strong first half the Colts season struggles arose again as the Titans scored 24 unanswered points to put the game out of reach. A late score for the Colts made a more respectable 31-21.
This week could be a turning point for both teams. The Pats need to keep up with a surprising Bills team whereas the Colts are trying to get their season back on track.
1 comment:
The week 9 clash between the Pats and the Colts will be decided by the match up involving the Pats offensive and the Colts defence. Unfortunately for New England it will centre on Matt Cassel, the backup QB has looked impressive in his last two games, although against a poor Rams pass defence and a blow out win against Denver. Trust appears to have grown in these games between Cassel and Pro Bowl receiver Moss. The Colts secondary will struggle to contain the explosive wide out and will rely on a solid pass rush the hurry the QB. If the Pats can get ahead in this game and not force Cassel into long yardage situations the Pats will walk away the win. Pats win 17 - 10
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