Broncos-Colts battle for playoff positioning
The Broncos and the Colts faceoff in a game that should determine playoff positioning in the AFC.
On this week's edition of Sunday Night Football we have two AFC powers battling for playoff positioning. The Colts are in the driver seat for home-field advantage after a season that has seen the team defeat the Tennessee Titans twice and pull out a shocking come from behind victory against the defending Super Bowl champions on Monday Night Football. Meanwhile, Denver has battled constant injuries to find itself on the verge of a playoff berth.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are clinging to their playoff hopes and will probably have to win its remaining games to even stay in the playoff hunt. Currently there are four
teams in the AFC vying for two playoff spots and the Broncos may need help to make the playoffs. But right now the focus can't be on playoff positioning or any other outside forces, it has to be on the Colts.
RB Clinton Portis is the key for the Broncos. His health is extremely important to the success of this team so it's vital that he plays on Sunday. Last week he rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos' overtime victory. This week he should have similar success against the Colts because teams have been able to run on the Colts at will. Despite the Colts emergence as a strong defensive team, the run has been a problem for the team all season as it has given up 118.1 yards per game.
The ability to run against the Colts is a big asset because it keeps Peyton Manning and the Colts' incendiary offense off the field. If the Broncos can win the time of possession battle, they'll increase their chances of winning because more time for Manning means more chances for him score.
But the biggest matchup for the Broncos is their defense versus the Colts' offense. The Colts are a team built for speed while Denver possesses one of the fastest defenses in the NFL. The skillful receiving corps of the Colts and in particular WR Marvin Harrison will test the Broncos secondary.
Harrison is probably the best receiver in the game right now. No receiver in the game can match his combination of speed, size, and precise route running. Week after week, he makes fabulous catches look routine and finds ways to destroy opposing secondaries. The Broncos will have to find a way to stop this ultra-talented receiver and force someone else to beat them. If not, they'll find themselves on the losing end of this game and possibly bounced out of the playoffs.
KEYS for the BRONCOS
1. Run the Ball
Clinton Portis is the key & if he has a big game the Broncos can win this game. If not then this will be an uphill battle.
2. Don't give up the big play
The Broncos can't afford to allow the Colts to hurt them with big plays. Once that offense starts clicking, they're extremely hard to stop and the Broncos must realize this. They need to stop Harrison from going over the top for big 50 or 60-yard gains
and also must stop Edge from breaking big 20-yard runs.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts can make the argument they're the most
complete team in the NFL. This team used to revolve
around the offense and the play of Edgerrin James,
Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning, but now they have
great special teams and a good defense. It's because
of those new factors that whispers about Manning not
being able to win the big game have been quieted this
season.
In seasons past, the success of Manning and the offense was the only way the Colts would win. Now this is a complete team that can win even with an off day by the offense because the defense has learned how to control the game.
Of course that doesn't mean this offense still isn't one of the most explosive in the NFL& because it is. Offensive coordinator Tom Moore has continued to do a wonderful job with this offense. This season he's done such a great job that Manning is probably the No.1 contender for MVP. There have been criticisms that Moore is too old, but those criticisms have fallen by the wayside and more talk of his great mind has surfaced.
Coming into the season, Colts' GM Bill Polian said the defense would be the most improved this season and he was right. DE Dwight Freeney has been a monster this season. Freeney's presence will probably stunt TE Shannon Sharpe's ability to be effective because he'll have to help out his left tackle before he can run his routes. In addition to Freeney, the Colts have a great, young safety in Mike Doss and have gotten considerably better at cornerback. But what makes this defense work is the players understanding and trusting the defensive concept.
With the final pieces seemingly in place, this will be the year the Colts win the big game. In years past Manning and the offense shouldered the burden, but now this complete team is ready to win in December and January.
KEYS for the COLTS
1. Don't change what's working
The Colts success is based on big play opportunities, play action passes and Edgerrin James running the ball. They need to stick to that game plan to win this game. The Colts should look for chances to exploit the Broncos and get the ball into the hands of their
playmakers.
2. Put the ball in Plummer's hands
Dungy's defense is setup to stop the big play. If Portis is playing, the Colts' coaching staff has to do everything they can to force the Broncos into throwing the ball. The Colts have a better chance winning this game if Jake Plummer has to win it for Denver.
A game analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Football, former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann won a Super Bowl and a league MVP award. He contributes regularly to ESPN.com.
- Schefter: Thanksgiving games mailbag
- Rumors: Lovie's seat is getting hotter
- Millman: How to bet football
- Tools: PickCenter | Game Predictor
- Draft: Mel's Big Board (11/25) | NFL draft blog
