Tag: Indianapolis Colts (Page 23 of 45)

      Quick-Hit Reaction: Colts 35, Jaguars 31

      December 17, 2009 /

      Here are five quick-hit observations on the Colts’ 35-31 win over the Jaguars on Thursday night.

      1. You want perfection? Try Peyton Manning.
      The Colts’ 14-0 record is impressive, but if you’re truly looking for perfection, look no further than Peyton Manning’s night. Outside of a fluke interception that was more Dallas Clark’s fault than his, Manning completed 23 of 30 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns. He completed his first 16 passes in the game and was absolutely brilliant once again this season.

      2. Garrard was just off the mark all night.
      For all intents and purposes, David Garrard played a fine football game tonight. He completed 23 of 40 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns, but the interception he threw on the final possession to seal Jacksonville’s fate was indicative of his night. While he made some great throws on third downs and late in the ball game to help the Jags stay in it, he also overthrew three open receivers in the first half and another handful in the second. He completes a couple of those throws and the Jags win.

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      Should the Colts rest their starters?

      December 14, 2009 /

      One question that always pops up around this time of year is whether or not a team should rest its starters. This season, with two teams that have their sights on finishing 16-0, there is some added weight to that question.

      The Saints have already come out and stated that they want to run the table and finish strong heading into the playoffs. So don’t expect Sean Payton to rest his starters over the next couple of weeks.

      But the Colts are a different animal (no pun intended).

      According to SI.com’s Peter King, Indianapolis will likely begin the process of resting its veterans on Thursday night at Jacksonville. Players dealing with small injuries like Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will likely see some time off, and Peyton Manning usually rests in Week 17.

      If the Colts do decide to rest their starters, it would be a wise decision. Being a part of history is nice, but the Patriots have taken some of the luster out of going 16-0 and besides, winning a championship is the only thing that matters in the end. What’s the point of a team going 16-0 and not winning the Super Bowl? (I just made a lot of Giants fans happy with that last line.)

      When players convene for training camp every year, they usually don’t have a goal of going 16-0. Their goal is simple: Win the Super Bowl. Just because the Colts are undefeated, doesn’t mean players like Freeney or Mathis should risk their health. If they need time off, then they should get it before the postseason (the real season – the only that matters) starts.

      If the players need it, should the Colts rest their starters?
      Total Votes: 52 Started: December 14, 2009 Back to Vote Screen


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      Brandon Marshall sets NFL-record for catches

      December 13, 2009 /

      Although it was in a losing effort, Broncos’ receiver Brandon Marshall hauled in an eye-popping 21 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns in Denver’s 28-16 loss to the Colts in Week 14. Marshall broke Terrell Owens’ 20-catch performance from 2000.

      The Colts had Tim Jennings covering Marshall at most times. Who the hell thought that matching the 5’8” Jennings up with a freak like Marshall was a good idea? They might as well set up a rocking chair and hoped Marshall tripped over it coming out of his break.
      (Although hey, who am I to question the coaching staff of an undefeated team?)

      Indy raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first half, but Peyton Manning kept the Broncos in the game by throwing three interceptions. Denver just couldn’t convert on the opportunities that were given to them and their defense had no answer for Manning and the Colts’ offense inside the red zone. (Indy was 4-4 once they got inside the 20.)

      Dallas Clark also had a great day, finishing with five catches for 43 yards and a hat trick of touchdowns. He had some great catches, including a diving grab (pictured above) on a 4th and 4 in the second half that set up the Colts’ third touchdown of the game.

      With this win, the Colts locked up a first round bye in the postseason.


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      NFL Week 13 COY Power Rankings

      December 12, 2009 /

      It’s not like we can dock Sean Payton here, but let’s face it. If Shaun Suisham kicks that 23-yard field goal for the Redskins, Payton’s Saints are 11-1 right now. Sure, they proved that they are never out of any game, but based on how Jim Caldwell’s Colts handled a red-hot Titans team, we give him the nod this week.

      1. Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts—We’ll say it again. Rookie head coaches, no matter how much talent they inherit, do not start 12-0. And don’t think Caldwell’s boys can’t run the table. Very impressive.

      2. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints—The bottom line is 12-0 and an early division crown. Next up, trying to lock up home field, which would make getting to the Super Bowl for any other NFC team next to impossible.

      3. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals—Did anyone else expect a shift in the balance of power in the AFC North like this? The Bengals have a three-game lead over the Ravens and a 3.5 game lead over the Steelers with four to play. And Lewis has his now defense-and-ball-control team believing.

      4. Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos—Maybe those four losses were not the norm, after watching the way the Broncs dominated both the G-men and Chiefs. Whoever winds up playing these guys in January should be really afraid.

      5. Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings—So finally the Vikings went up against an explosive offense their defense couldn’t stop. But that was likely just a bump in the road.

      Honorable mention: Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals; Jack Del Rio, Jaguars; Mike McCarthy, Packers; Andy Reid, Eagles

      NFL

      NFL Week 13 MVP Power Rankings

      December 12, 2009 /

      The way the Saints have been winning each week has been like a gift to their fans. That is, it’s been a SURPRISE each week. Sometimes they dominate, sometimes they make it more interesting than it should be, and sometimes they flat out get a, well, gift, from the opposing team. Last Sunday it was the latter against a Washington team that let the Saints back in the game by missing a chip shot field goal. Drew Brees and company took care of the rest, and that’s why our man remains atop this list, with Peyton Manning right there behind him.

      1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints—He’s got a 111.3 QB rating to lead the NFL—3536 passing yards, 69% completion percentage and 29 touchdowns to 10 picks. Oh, and yeah…his team is 12-0 and has already clinched the NFC South.

      2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts—Not much different from Brees’ numbers—3685 passing yards, a ridiculous 70% completion rate, 25 TDs and 11 interceptions…and the same 12-0 record for his Colts, with a clinched AFC South.

      3. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings—A much more human game for Favre against Arizona Sunday night, but despite those 2 interceptions, he still threw for 275 yards and two scores. It just wasn’t enough, and even worse, the Cardinals may have gotten into the Vikings’ collective head.

      4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers—Despite being sacked a league high 45 times, Rodgers had led his team to four straight wins and has them in position for a wild card berth. And he probably hates this comparison, but his numbers are very Favre-esque: 3399 yards, 25 TDs, 7 picks.

      5. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals—After missing a few starts due to injury, Cedric returned (albeit against Detroit) and promptly carried 36 times for 110 yards. Sure, there are two RBs with more yards per game (Chris Johnson and Steven Jackson), but Benson is making more of an impact for his team…the definition of MVP.

      Honorable Mention—Chris Johnson, Titans; Philip Rivers, Chargers; Adrian Peterson, Vikings; Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars, Reggie Wayne, Colts; Jared Allen, Vikings; Vince Young, Titans; Elvis Dumervil, Broncos; Darren Sharper, Saints; Randy Moss, Patriots; Wes Welker, Patriots

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