There is really only one story in the NFL this week: the New England Patriots will play the Indianapolis Colts. Undefeated team versus undefeated team. Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning.
The game is likely to be the best of the regular football season and quite possibly a preview of the AFC Championship game. Even though both teams are almost guaranteed a playoff spot, the outcome of this game still has tremendous implications.
If the Colts win, the Patriots can no longer be compared to the immortal '72 Miami Dolphins, and the defending Super Bowl champs will once again be the favorites to win it all. If the Patriots win, however, their path to an undefeated season will be much easier, although key games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants still loom large.
Either way, one team is leaving this game with a notch in the loss column and the other will leave with an improved chance at securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
One of the most interesting parts of this game will be seeing how the Indianapolis defense reacts to New England's new high-powered offense. Tom Brady has weapons in Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte' Stallworth that he's never had before, allowing him to attack every level of the defense and put up 30 touchdowns against just two interceptions this season. No, that's not a typo. Brady has connected for 30 touchdowns and two interceptions in just eight games.
But the Colts do have some playmakers on defense that could give the Pats some trouble. Look for Bob Sanders to be playing back this week, as the Colts will be more concerned with the pass than with the run. Moss will still put up numbers, but Sanders should help temper them a bit. He's no second-rate scrub from the Miami Dolphins' secondary, so don't look for Randy to be jumping over double coverage to make spectacular catches in the end zone.
Up front, the Patriots have one of the best offensive lines in the league; Brady has been sacked only eight times this year. But the Colts have Dwight Freeney, possibly the best pass-rusher in the AFC, and good speed up front in general.
Brady still probably won't spend a lot of time on his back this game, but for the Colts, just getting some pressure on him should be enough to slow him down. If Brady has enough time to sit back there and wait for his talented receivers to get open, the game will be no contest.
It should be interesting to see what Bill Belichick will do if the Patriots build a substantial lead. Will Belichick send Brady out there to run up the score against the Pats' biggest rival like he has done against everyone else? Will he risk Brady's and the Patriots' season with Freeney always a threat to reach the quarterback? Will there be any greater karmic justice than Tom Brady tearing his ACL as he attempts to throw a meaningless fourth quarter touchdown?
On the Colts' offensive side, Marvin Harrison looks to return from injury, while Reggie Wayne remains a huge playmaker and Dallas Clark has quietly developed into one of the best tight ends in football. Joseph Addai has been exceptional this season as well, replacing Edgerrin James, who left for the Arizona Cardinals before last season.
Manning's numbers will be the biggest indicator in this game. He knows that Brady is on pace to break all of his records from his 2004 MVP season, and it probably doesn't sit too well with him. Manning's been playing well this year, as always, but having 13 touchdowns through seven games is not exactly typical Peyton. If ever there was any time to make a statement, it is now.
The Patriots and Colts played twice last year, with the Colts winning both matchups on their way to a championship. Whoever wins the regular season matchup this week might may will likely be on the same path.
