Can Colts Win in January in New England?

Everyone seems to agree that yesterday's Game of the Century proved one thing: When the Colts and Patriots play again, in the AFC Championship on January 20, the game will be at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Honestly, there's a pretty good chance that it won't work out that way. Football seasons have a funny way of surprising us, and if I had to lay a wager, I'd wager that the AFC Championship will be something other than Colts at Patriots.

But let's assume that it is Colts at Patriots. Can the Colts win in New England?

I think they can, and that's something I didn't think 24 hours ago. It sounds strange to say that after the Patriots won at Indianapolis, I'm now more confident than I was yesterday that the Colts can win at New England, but there are two things that make me say that.

The first is that these Colts are clearly not the defensively inept crew of the 2006 regular season. Although they ran out of gas late in the game and allowed the Patriots to come from behind and win, the Colts' defense is tough enough to give Tom Brady and Co. a long day.

The other is that the Colts might be healthier in January than they were yesterday. They clearly missed wide receiver Marvin Harrison, and they might have missed left tackle Tony Ugoh even more. With a healthy Harrison for Peyton Manning to throw to, and a healthy Ugoh to protect Manning's blind side, he could play better in January than he did yesterday, even without home-field advantage.

Would I pick the Patriots to beat the Colts in January at Gillette Stadium? Yes. But do I think it's a sure thing? No.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-05-2007 @ 10:33AM

Brett said...

But wouldn't you also say that Indy's defensive advantage early had a lot to do with how much their ultra-quick defense is tailored to playing on the carpet in Indy. In my mind, it's a lot harder to be flying all over the place like that in the cold (and maybe snow/mud) in New England in January. When the Colts defense slowed down yesterday, the Pats took over, so negating that speed advantage can only help the Pats.

11-05-2007 @ 10:49AM

GIVEMEABREAK said...

A few things to contemplate when the Colts play the Pats in Foxboro. No noise during the offensive play calling, no biased corrupt officials doing everything in their power to provide the Colts an edge. Balls will be placed were forward movement was stopped not 3-4 yards further up. Offensive pass interference will need to be pass interference to be called. Blatant defensive pass interference like that against Faulk will be called.

Without the biased Corrupt Officals that score would have been 31-10.

Lets not forget all the holding being committed on the line to spring Odai free. That will be called in Foxboro.

11-05-2007 @ 1:33PM

BFASH12 said...

How about the piped in crowd noise during the Pats possions. Where is the big cheating headline on this. Oh I guess it's only a top story when the past get caught!! And they did get caught-doing what everyone else in the leage was doing!! Dungy, who's the cheater now!!!

11-05-2007 @ 1:22PM

Tommy said...

I would expect nothing less from you, MDS, but I think you have been smoking something.

If the AFC Championship was in Foxboro, and the Colts were visiting:

1. We would not have a repeat of so many bogus penalties.

2. Crowd noise does affect games. Just ask anyone who has ever played football.

3. It's cold outside, when your used to playing in a warm dome.

4. Are you counting on Brady having another day? It happens, but don't hold your breath.

11-05-2007 @ 2:26PM

Jim said...

Colts will win the Super Bowl, period!

11-05-2007 @ 2:53PM

rj said...

the colts will always have a chance if it's 11 going against 18.

11-05-2007 @ 3:19PM

mmdd477 said...

Just an FYI. The Pats NOW also play on turf. It may be cold and hard turf but it's still turf. There won't be any mud!!!

11-05-2007 @ 4:12PM

josh said...

i agree some of the calls werent right but some werent even called the times moss actually did commit offensive pass interference it wasnt called so they called it when it wasnt as blatant and if there was piped in crowd noise dungy doesnt control the speakers hes the coach on the sideline another thing brady wasnt having a bad day the colts know what to expect of him as the pats know what to expect of manning they play each other so often that it is hard for the other team to blow them out of the water now-a-days

11-05-2007 @ 5:15PM

joe wallace said...

MDS, I can see you have some stellar analysis, there. After all, I can see that, after one team beats another on the opposing team's home turf, in a controlled environment, where they almost never lose, despite being overplayed for most of the game, and still comeback to win, that you could conclude that the same team will then win in Foxboro, in the cold, with Pats fans (without crowd noise piped in)cheering...Makes sense to me...

11-05-2007 @ 10:45PM

George B Vieto said...

WE will see if the Colts and Patriots do play in the AFC championship game in January 2008 and if the Colts go back to the Super Bowl again. If it happens there will be a Beatles reunion concert at the Super Bowl 42.

11-06-2007 @ 7:41AM

Leo Martin said...

Jim you really need a reality check. Even when the Pats were down 10...they stuck to their game plan. Even with all the bad calls and mysterious sound equipment, they stuck to the plan.
The GREAT Peyton had 2:43 to do something with the ball....oh and did ever. And yet there are still some that say that Mr. every other commercial is the best clutch QB in the game...think again!
They had their chance and they were outclassed, outscored and out coached. Deal with it and move on!

11-06-2007 @ 6:14PM

drysdale53 said...

colts have a great chance to win in new england!!! the colts actually run the ball just as much as they pass the ball now and plus new england has a turf field. there is nothing more peyton would like to do more then beat the patriots at there own house in the playoffs. the colts have no pressure on them its all on the patriots most people crowned the patriots the super bowl champions after week 5. if colts have all there weapons and actually execute in the redzone unlike the most recent game, then they should be able to slay the beast the patriots

11-06-2007 @ 8:34PM

here's the deal, for those of yout that think that the Colts have a great running game. Do you think the pats have a great running ame? it's an illusion, folks! Every Pats RB is averaging over 4 yards a carry! Why is that? Because the other teams are playing the pass! When the weather gets cold, you will need players that can pound the ball in the snow or rain. The running game will be the most important aspect of your offense. THAT is why a hall of fame running back like Edgerrin James never did as well in playoff games in cold weather, and that is why Addai, as good as he is, won't, either. The same holds true for the Pats, but they are USED to playing in the winter in bad weather. Manning's stats in December and January are not all that good, folks. Look it up. Brady's won't be as good, either, but he is more used to playing in this environment, as is Maroney. Brady's stats in december don't include alot of touchdowns, but he doesn't make alot of mistakes, either. If the Pats and Colts meet in January at Foxboro, turf or not, the Colts are in trouble. Could they win? Sure. they are a good team. But I wouldn't bet on it.