CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: PATRIOTS-COLTS

What a fitting game it is for Peyton Manning and the Colts. After years of playoff frustration, it will take a win over their playoff enemies to reach the Super Bowl for the first time under Manning. As the Colts look to overcome the Patriots for the time in their playoff lives, they should look to other great teams for inspiration. The Chicago Bulls were once the Indianapolis Colts, and Michael Jordan was once Peyton Manning. Year after year of playoff defeats at the hands of their rival Detroit Pistons left some people wondering if they could ever win a title. It was not until they overcame the Pistons that they were able to win their first championship. A similar story was seen in baseball just a few years ago. Throughout the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, the New York team had been the one always celebrating success. Beating the Yankees seemed like an even bigger obstacle for Boston than actually winning a World Series. So when they were finally able to defeat the Yankees in the postseason, it was then that they truly became a great team and won the World Series. The question is, can the Colts become the Bulls and the Red Sox? On Sunday we will find out if the Colts are truly a great team or just a bunch of lovable losers like the Buffalo Bills. Round three is approaching. Are the Colts ready?

QUARTERBACKS: It was strange last Sunday to watch Tom Brady and see him play so terrible, but that is what America saw last week. Remarkably, despite him and the entire team playing one of their worst postseason games, they live to play another day in this year's playoffs. While it may have been one of his worst performances, Brady still played well when he had to. Most notably, was the perfectly thrown touchdown pass to Reche Caldwell to tie the game. It would be truly shocking to see Brady play another poor playoff game on Sunday. He should be able to show his usual playoff poise and deliver accurate passes all day. There is some sort of theory going around about the other QB on the field. People are beginning to believe that just because Peyton Manning played poorly the last two weeks, he should have a good game on Sunday. What has he done to suggest that this may happen? He has looked awful not only the last two weeks but also in his entire playoff career. Now he's facing the Patriots, who have absolutely owned him throughout the years. It seems a bit far fetched to believe that he will suddenly turn things around. EDGE: NEW ENGLAND

RUNNING BACKS: Another reason why it was unbelievable that New England was able to win in San Diego was that their rushing attack was nonexistent. Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney were held to less than 60 yards rushing combined. While the Colts rush defense has been much improved since the regular season ended, the Patriots will likely do a better job rushing the ball against the Colts than they did against San Diego. Look for Maroney to get most of the carries between the twenties, while Dillon will get all of the attempts inside the redzone. It would be a surprise if they were unable to at least double last week's total. The Colts also have shown a very balanced rushing attack this season with Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes. During the postseason they have used Addai early in the game because he is the more talented running back. When the lead is secure, the Colts turn to Rhodes to hold onto the football and wind down the clock. In order for the Colts to have a good chance of winning, one running back will need to step up and have a big day. Manning has not been good at all this postseason, and if the Colts are also unable to run the ball, he will start forcing passes like he did the last two weeks. It may be the team with the better running game that winds up with a spot in the Super Bowl. EDGE: EVEN

RECEIVERS: The Patriots seem to be able to do it every year. They find wide receivers that may not be able to play on any other team in the NFL, but they fit the New England system so well that put up numbers they would never dream of. Specifically I am talking about Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell. Both players had impressive college careers but were never able to reach that level in the NFL. They did not even play too well during the regular season, but during the playoffs they have exceeded all expectations. They may not have household names like Indy's wideouts, still they are perfect fits for the Pats. Those household names I speak off on Indy are obviously Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. They have actually been out performed by Gaffney and Caldwell so far this postseason, but that has been more a product of Peyton Manning's struggles than anything else. The one way to slow them down is to rough them up, and that is what the Patriots have done so effectively against the Colts over the year. Even if they are able to do this again, you would have to feel a lot more comfortable with all-pros like Harrison and Wayne on your team. EDGE: INDIANAPOLIS

DEFENSE: Like the rest of the New England Patriots, their defense did not play one of its best games against San Diego. However, LaDainian Tomlinson can make any team look bad on defense. It was the Patriots' job against the Chargers passing game that earned them a trip to the AFC title game. Like they did a week before against Chad Pennington, they rattled Philip Rivers and were able to force him to make mistakes. Expect the rush defense to match the pass defense in performance against the Colts like they did when they held the combo of Addai and Rhodes to less than 50 yards rushing in their earlier meeting this season. The Pats defense will have to crack if Peyton Manning and the Colts are going to win this game. The Colts defense has been the story of the playoffs so far. After looking absolutely terrible during the regular season, they have looked rejuvenated in this postseason. They have done a terrific job stopping the run and forcing turnovers. If the Colts are to win on Sunday, their defense must continue to play this way. However, if you were to chose one defense to win you a playoff game, the obvious pick would be the reliable one New England has. EDGE: NEW ENGLAND

SPECIAL TEAMS: One of the best subplots for Sunday's AFC title game is the kicking game. By now everyone knows the story. After being one of the best clutch kickers of all time and winning two Super Bowls with game winning field goals, the Patriots let Adam Vinatieri walk this offseason. He went to the rival Indianapolis Colts where he had another fantastic season. The Patriots have relied on rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski all season who had some shaky spots, but did hit a game winning field goal of his own last week. Clearly if the game was on the line, Adam Vinatieri would be the kicker to have on your team. The Patriots clearly do not want to see their season end on the foot of their old friend. This could make Vinatieri one of the most dangerous players on the field Sunday. EDGE: INDIANAPOLIS

FINAL ANALYSIS: I'm just going to start this final segment by telling you that I am picking New England. I would like to spend the rest of this discussing how every argument I have heard for why Indy will win is awful. First, I hear how the Colts are at home. Do people just expect the Patriots to lay down and play one of their worst games all season because they are not at home? Also, people may seem to forget that Tom Brady has never lost a game in a dome during his career. The second argument is that the Colts beat the Patriots last time. This is true, but it is also true that Tom Brady quite possibly had the worst game of his career as he threw four interceptions and still only lost by one score. It would be a total shock to see Brady play another game like that, especially considering how he is coming off a bad game last week. Finally, people are saying that Peyton Manning is due for a big playoff game. Why? He has shown nothing throughout his postseason career that would suggest that he can play well against a good defense in a big spot. All of you that picked the Colts to win this week can use these weak arguments to make yourself feel confident. However, I'll stick with the Patriots. If I'm wrong I'll have a whole column for you Monday of me eating my words. PREDICTION: PATRIOTS 20 COLTS 17