Patriots at Colts

The New England Patriots visit Indianapolis Sunday to take on vaunted Colts QB Peyton Manning and his recieving corp, led by all-world WR Marvin Harrison. The stat graphic below pictures Colts' powerful performance on our Killer Stat, yards per pass attempt. Colts pass offense earns a 4.6-point advantage over the New England D.

Yards per Pass Att Indianapolis Colts 2006 through Week 17

Opp Yds per Pass Att New England Patriots 2006 through Week 17

The Patriots-Colts stat profiles suggest New England Coach Belichick will focus on clock control, keeping the ball away from Manning and company. QB Brady and his talented running backs, veteran Dillon and rookie Maroney, should move the sticks, rack up first downs and hold on to the ball. The stat graphics below picture Pats' advantage on first downs rushing against Colts' rush D (league's weakest). Advantage Pats: 9.3 points.

First Downs Rushing New England Patriots 2006 through Week 17

Opp FD Rushing Indianapolis Colts 2006 through Week 17

Colts' Coach Tony Dungy needs to find a way for his porous rush D to stop the Pats on the grond or Manning, Harrison et al will spend too much time warming the Colts' bench. But, in the last three weeks Colts' rush D has played championship ball.

The computer projects New England to win by 2 on the Colts' home turf.

Bud Goode

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