Chargers at Colts
In week 10 the Indianapolis Colts lost to the San Diego Chargers by 2 points. Let's don't count this game. It was too bizarre. QB Manning threw 6 interceptions. Count'em. The offensive line was gut shot and hurting. The six INTS set the league record for the season. Considering the
Super-Bowl-winning Colts' stat profile this game was not representative.
Applied stat people call this rare performance an "outlier." Usually these "outliers" make a big impact on the game.
Interestingly enough, not in this case. Manning came back from a 23-point deficit to within 2 points of beating the Chargers. Then, in the laast few seconds Colts' kicker, Adam Vinatieri, missed a makeable FG. Ouch.
The Colts are healthy now. WR Harrison is back. The Colts leading receiver will test his wounded knee. And their little talked about rush D is among the league's most improved.
For example, Opponent Rushing yards is the league's MOST UP adding a huge 9.9 PPG to their scoring differential. Our Killer Stat II, Opponent Points per Pass jumped from last to 8th adding 8.6 PPG. Opponent First Downs Rushing contributed another 7.5 PPG. It's a WOW year for the Colts' rush D.
In Sunday's playoff game the stat most likely to contribute points to the Colts win is Plays per First Down. "Just move the Chains," a page out of QB Brady's book, gives Indianpolis a
5 1/2-point advantage.
And that is just one stat. See key stats in the
Chargers-Colts Matchup.
The stat graphic below pictures Colts' efficient "just move the sticks" passing and running game.
Plays per 1st Down
Indianapolis Colts
2007 through Week 17
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