Just messing around. I thought the game against the saints would be a back and forth nail-biter. And seeing all of ESPNs experts, and this site, and pretty much every poll having far more people picking the Saints, it was hard to be too confident going into that one.
Indy is a better team than NO, on both sides of the ball, but I like the way we match-up. Peyton is the best regular season quarterback, probably of all-time. But, he's really only played lights-out for 1/2 a playoff game. So, as much as everyone says Rex is the X-factor, he's thrown more TDs and fewer INTs per game than Peyton in the playoffs so far.
If Peyton truly has the bad playoff performance monkey off his back, Grossman will need to play the game of his life for the Bears to be close. Just protecting the ball won't get it done. But, if Peyton plays closer to a "Bad Rex" style, we should be able to win this one w/ better D and special teams.
Just messing around. I thought the game against the saints would be a back and forth nail-biter. And seeing all of ESPNs experts, and this site, and pretty much every poll having far more people picking the Saints, it was hard to be too confident going into that one.
Indy is a better team than NO, on both sides of the ball, but I like the way we match-up. Peyton is the best regular season quarterback, probably of all-time. But, he's really only played lights-out for 1/2 a playoff game. So, as much as everyone says Rex is the X-factor, he's thrown more TDs and fewer INTs per game than Peyton in the playoffs so far.
If Peyton truly has the bad playoff performance monkey off his back, Grossman will need to play the game of his life for the Bears to be close. Just protecting the ball won't get it done. But, if Peyton plays closer to a "Bad Rex" style, we should be able to win this one w/ better D and special teams.
The thing is that Peyton doesn't have to play lights-out to win this game I don't think. He has to play pretty well, yes, but not lights-out. Indy has proven they can stop teams when they need to and they will be focusing on the Chicago running game that was the downfall of the Saints defense. Then it will be up to Grossman to beat the the #2 pass defense in the NFL during the regular season.....and that's without Bob Sanders for much of the year.
The continued "Rex has thrown fewer INTs than Manning" arguments are laughable, you very well know that this fact means nothing when you take into account who Manning has played defensively and who Chicago has played. There's really no comparison whatsoever if you try to compare BAL/NE to SEA/NO on the defensive side of the ball. Yes, Manning had a bad game against KC, but seeing as how he's only played better since then against better defenses, you should be more worried than relieved when you look at his numbers.
The Bears defense is good, no doubt about it, but the biggest weakness is definitely in the secondary. The Colts have been playing very good defense in the post-season and their offense is starting to pick it up too. I guess I'm trying to figure out where you think you "match up well" with the Colts. Good passing game (Colts) vs. weak secondary (some due to injuries but weak nonetheless). Mediocre passing game (Bears) vs. #2 pass defense. Colts have had an effective running game as have the Bears, but unlike the Colts, the Bears cannot simply concentrate on shutting down the run and have any chance at all. The Colts have the luxury of being able to concentrate on the run and try to make what has been an inconsistent QB beat their 2nd ranked pass defense. I think that's the difference in the game.
I agree with the above post.. Colts need to focus on stopping the run first. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bears come right of the gate throughing the ball around. (Steelers did that last year.) Colts Defense will need to be aware of that just in case, but if they stop the run and make Grossman beat you, I like my chances against their QB...
zevon wrote:Could be another 15-6 game... Hope not, that was snooze inducing.
One of the more interesting prop bets I've seen is Indy D to score a TD at +650. Not a big stretch if Rex is being the Rex Rex can be at times.
Did you watch the Indy/Baltimore game??? That was anything but "snooze inducing". The game was always close enough that one good drive by the Baltimore offense could mean the game for the Ravens....it was probably one of the most exciting low scoring games i've seen.
It's gonna be a tight one. Both teams definately have the potential here but I think that a great D beats a great offense anyday. Peyton hasn't been great in the playoffs and he has faced some great Ds (Baltimore, Pats) so I don't think he's suddenly gonna explode for a big game. However, Colts D is pretty good so this one could be a stinker in terms of action. I'm thinking that the Bears special teams give them the upper edge and the opportunity to break a deadlock.
I'm just praying this isn't another Ravens/Colts game.
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by joe bass » Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:07 pm 
