AFC CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP: MANNING UP

So, I was wrong. There I said it. I hope you all are happy. Trust me, no one is more surprised than I am. Why shouldn't I be? The start was all too familiar for Peyton Manning and crew. The Patriots came out with another perfect game plan, and twenty one minutes later the Colts saw themselves down 21-3. The sights looked the same on the Colts' sideline. Manning stood there shaking his head while the rest of his teammates stared on with the same look of disbelief. Halftime came and so did change. I don't know if anyone is sure of what was exactly said in that locker room, but whatever it was, boy did it work. Unlike years past, the Colts came out with their heads high and their play higher. Rather than folding like a lawn chair, the Colts battled back, and by the fourth quarter we were witnessing one of the greatest playoff games in NFL history. The final five minutes of the game were by far the most entertaining. What was so remarkable was that it was a complete change of script from meetings in past years. If I told you before the game that one QB would lead his team on a game winning drive while the other would throw an interception to end the game, you would probably believe me. However, most likely you would assume that Brady had won the game and Manning had thrown the pick. The role reversal that took place was one of the more shocking things I have seen in football in recent memory. The Colts survived, and Peyton Manning took a huge step towards becoming the greatest quarterback of all time. Despite not even being the best Colts team of the last five years, it is this Colts team that will play in their first Super Bowl since 1970.

After a classic game, many people felt that this was the end of the Patriots dynasty and the beginning of the Colts dynasty. Why I am quick to dismiss that theory is that strangely enough, this was a rebuilding year for the Patriots. They had lost several players to free agency and were looking to replace them with the likes of Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney. They also did not have a very strong draft after striking out with picks such as Chad Jackson. Nevertheless, due to great player management and coaching, they found themselves pack in the AFC Championship game. Next year has both a lot of positives and questions. The best thing the Patriots have going for them is that they have two first round picks in the 2007 draft. With smart decisions they should be able to find two starters with those picks. They also will most likely have an improved receiving core next season, which should only help Tom Brady and the offense. The major problems come on the defensive side of the ball. Most notably is the pending free agency of top cornerback Asante Samuel. New England would be wise to place the franchise tag on him, but don't be surprised if they they do let him walk. Remember, the Patriots are possibly the best in the league at finding good, young cornerbacks. Their other problem on defense is age. Players like Teddy Bruschi , Rodney Harrison, and Mike Vrabel may soon be on the decline, and the Patriots should look to use at least one of their first round picks to add some youth to the defensive side of the ball. The bottom line for New England is that as long as they have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick they will always be Super Bowl contenders. Expect an even better team to take the field in Foxboro next year.

It is almost strange to say this, but the Indianapolis Colts have taken the next step and will now play for the Super Bowl. They are already overwhelming favorites, and the pressure will be on Peyton Manning to step up and get the job done. For the Colts it is quite simple, play like they did against the Patriots, and they will beat the Bears. This all falls on the shoulders of Peyton Manning. He finally took his game to the next level and played well when his team needed him to in the playoffs. The question is: will he continue to play this way or revert back to his previous postseason form? The Bears defense won them the game against the Saints, but Drew Brees was still able to throw all over them when given time in the pocket. The Chicago defense is clearly still susceptible to the pass, and a stong day from Manning will almost certainly put a dagger in the Bears' postseason. The game will either elevate Manning's name next to Johnny Unitas' or keep it firmly placed next to Dan Marino's.