Spotlight Game of the Week: Atlanta vs. Indianapolis

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Ok everyone … this week we’re gonna switch it up a bit and go with a big hype game. Here we go…

This Sunday, the spotlight is on Atlanta @ Indianapolis. While this game really may not have much bearing on the rest of the NFL, it does have its interesting storyline. While Indianapolis is a virtual lock for the playoffs, Atlanta is trying to maintain a sense of pride at the end of a miserable season. Heading into the game, the focus is 90% on the Falcons’ side. The plot: Michael Vick is back and playing very well, and Dan Reeves gets fired right in the middle of the week. Man, there isn’t much more you need to have a great storyline.

Atlanta

The Falcons stroll into Indianapolis this week looking to make something out of this season. After being dealt a devastating blow in the pre-season with the loss of Michael Vick, the Falcons didn’t have the swagger that they had last year in an amazing playoff run. Vick came back for his first start last week, and what happened? Well, he only ran for 140+ yards and threw for nearly 170 on top of that while leading his team to a win over the division-leading 8-4 Panthers. Hmmm … that poses another question: maybe they really could have been a Super Bowl contender if they had had Vick all year? I’ll tell you this: this week, we’re about to find out.

The big question for this team, however, has shifted from “Where’s Vick?” to “Where’s Dan Reeves?” And the answer is … *drumroll* … sitting on his couch watching Wade Phillips run his old team. Now all we have to do is wonder if Phillips can lead this team to a victory.

Indianapolis

I can’t say enough good things about this team. They proved once again that they have to be considered a threat to represent the AFC in the Superbowl. After a demoralizing loss two weeks ago to New England that ended with a triumphant goal line stand by the Patriots, they rebounded superbly to defeat the Titans and place themselves at the top of the AFC South. They went into Tennessee and won a hard-fought battle, proving they can win both on the road and against tough teams.

If they had beaten the Pats, no one would dispute that they would clearly be the AFC favorites right now. Peyton Manning is continuing his bid for MVP and a win over Vick and the Falcons on Sunday afternoon will only help the cause. The re-emergence of Edge late in the season has also been huge for the Colts and is just one more thing the Falcons will have to worry about this week.

Overview

The overall strategies in this game are simple enough for the Falcons, give the ball to Vick. He is their playmaker and they have to do everything in their power to allow him to do what he does best. Look for Phillips to spread the field out more to keep the LB corps honest. Indy will have to keep one of their LBs, more than likely David Thorton, to spy Vick and try and keep him inside the pocket as much as possible. Expect him to again throw to Alge Crumpler often as a safety net if he gets into trouble. Even though it’ll be tough to stick with it, the Falcons will have to attempt to run the ball with TJ Duckett as well. He will get his normal goal line carries, but I think he will need to reach the 20 carry mark to be effective.

Moving on to Indianapolis, the Colts need to keep their balance between run and pass as equal as possible in order to keep the Falcons’ defenders on their heels. Now that he’s the head coach, Wade Phillips will unequivocally be distracted from his normal duties as the defensive coordinator. Last week the Falcons defense seemed to come together around the re-emergence of Vick, but newly acquired CB Derek Ross will have his hands full this Sunday as he attempts to cover Marvin Harrison. Look for a high-scoring explosive game this week, and don’t let the records confuse you. This will be a great game.

Fantasy Impact

Good starts: Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James, Michael Vick, Alge Crumpler

Bad starts: TJ Duckett, Brian Finneran. Dallas Clark is out.

Sleeper pick of the week: Peerless Price – Last year, he wouldn’t a sleeper even in the slightest, but that has changed thanks to Atlanta’s dismal season. Nonetheless, I think he could be in for a solid week this time around. He’s had a full game to get into rhythm with Vick and could post solid numbers.

 
Originally from New Jersey, Nick Trione now follows the NFL from his home in Pennsylvania. You’ll also find him in the forums, where he posts fantasy insight and humor (not necessarily in that order) under the name of kashikis.