Tonight's AFC matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens features two teams that have taken vastly different paths to the playoffs. The ravens won two of their final three games to claim the final AFC wild card spot before turning in an absolutely dominating performance in a 33-14 win over New England last sunday. The Colts started the season 14-0 and wrapped up home-field advantage before management decided to rest the team's starters which resulted in back-to-back losses to end the regular season.
This game will be test for the Colts' coaching staff to see if coach Jim Cadwell made the right choice in taking the end of the season off and resting his players. The Colts have stood by their decision in the name of preparing the team for a championship run. That choice drew a great deal of ire from the fans and local media because the team had a chance to go 16-0. It's no surprise that this strategy has come under fire considering the Colts have gone 0-3 after having a playoff bye since 1999 and this season reminds fans of the team's 13-0 start in 2005 which ended in a loss at the hands of eventual champion Pittsburgh.
Peyton Manning never ceases to amaze me with his ability to play quarterback in the NFL. Say what you will about the man, I can't think of anyone whose been so consistently good for so long. Manning makes his 2009 passing numbers (4,500 yards, 33 TDs) look pedestrian. I think the Colts will come out like a well-oiled machine and out-execute the aggressive Ravens defense and be able to control the ball. If the Colts can have some sustained offensive success early in the game and limit Baltimore's ability run the ball then they can win this one easily. The Ravens will have to play good defense throughout the entire game because I don't believe their offense can put up a ton of points and it doesn't take Peyton Manning much to help to get his team into the endzone quickly.
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