An inside look at the AFC title game
FILE – In this Nov. 3, 2014, file photo, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. No Tom Brady-Peyton Manning rematch this time. Instead, it will be Brady and Andrew Luck meeting again in a matchup of star quarterbacks when the New England Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game Sunday. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
January 15, 2015
Before the season began pundits were predicting another Manning-Brady bowl in the AFC Title game. Instead they may have gotten something even better in Brady vs Luck.
The Indianapolis Colts (13-5) come in following an 24-13 upset victory over the Denver Broncos and their former franchise quarterback Peyton Manning. Their task won’t get any easier this week against a New England Patriots team (13-4) that is 8-1 at home this season.
The Colts opened up as 6.5 point underdogs, and for good reason. The Andrew Luck led Colts have played Tom Brady and the Patriots three times, and each time they have lost by a minimum of 21 points. Their struggles against New England have been linked in large part to the struggles of Luck.
In his career against the Patriots, Luck has never had a completion percentage eclipse 60% and has thrown 8 interceptions. In just their playoff meeting last year Luck only completed 48.78% of his passes and threw 4 picks.
Meanwhile Brady has absolutely torched the Colts since Luck took over. He has thrown for a combined 56-90, good for a 62% completion percentage, 786 yards, 5 touchdowns and only 2 picks.
If the Colts are going to have any chance of reversing their recent struggles against New England they’re going to have to get better quarterback play out of Luck. He’s going to have to take care of the ball and avoid costly interceptions. Brady and co. are hard enough to slow down, Luck’s offense can’t give them extra opportunities to put points up on the board.
Another key will be Indianapolis’ ability to slow down Rob Gronkowski. They did a decent job of that during their Week 11 matchup, holding the big tight end to only 71 yards on 4 catches and a touchdown. In fact it was one of the only things they did well in a 42-20 drubbing.
On the outside, Darrelle Revis is going to have to have a bounce back performance following his lackluster showing last week, which looked a lot less like “Revis Island” and a lot more like the past his prime, Philadelphia Eagle version of Nnamdi Asomugha. The Colts will be looking to get the ball into the hands of TY Hilton, so it will be Revis’ responsibility to keep the speedy receiver in check.
Bottom line, at the beginning of the season people were wondering if the championship window for Tom Brady and the Patriots was closed. Now roughly 3 months later it’s beginning to look more and more likely they capture that elusive fourth title.
