Get ready for the Pagano Bowl!
The Indianapolis Colts are facing a “running back controversy.” You know, like a QB controversy, just for tailbacks. There are some major issues there now with Ahmad Bradshaw going down, and out for the season. Trent Richardson is terrible. We all thought the Indianapolis Colts in that trade. At least I did. Turns out it was actually Cleveland fleecing Indy on that one.
Richardson may just turn out to be a huge bust, as he’s averaging less than three yards a carry. The Colts worked out Kevin Smith yesterday, and they signed former Ohio State Buckeyes back Daniel “Boom” Herron. When you’re looking at Boom Herron, you’re desperate. Maybe the San Diego Chargers run defense is what will cure the Indianapolis rushing attack.
SPREAD: Indianapolis Colts -1.5
TV: ESPN Monday Night Football, Jon Gruden, Mike Tirico
San Diego Chargers Preview:
About that run defense, they are 24th in the NFL. And their secondary is right down in the dregs with them, ranking 27th. Their base 3-4 D features an aging and I guess now rejuvenated, but still not very talented front seven. Then again their cornerback depth is terrible too. So there’s blame all around. Call this game the Lawrence Guy Bowl, as he claimed by the Chargers off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts.
Phillip Rivers is having a tremendous amount of success this season, with a 13-5 TD-INT and a 110 QB Rating. He may seem like he would be a giant douche off the field, but give him his props for getting it done, on it. After a couple subpar years, he’s really tearing it up again.
Indianapolis Colts preview:
The predecessor of Andrew Luck in Indianapolis, Peyton Manning is probably the best quarterback in the NFL right now. Manning is also top 5 all-time. However, Luck is developing into a top 5 talent among active guys playing the position. Not just top 5 talent, but just top 5 QB. That’s how good Andrew Luck is becoming.
There was a corn maze created for him for a reason.
The top four, in no particular order, are pretty solidified: Peyton, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. After that you can debate a lot of names: Andrew Luck, RG3, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger.
The Indianapolis Colts are, like the Chargers, very poor in defense, ranking 24th against the pass and 30th against the rush. So expect a massive shootout when they travel to Southern California.
Brutally honest prediction: Indianapolis Colts 49, San Diego Chargers 42
On Monday night, Rivers could become the first player in NFL history to throw for 400 yards in three consecutive games, according to Elias. Additionally, Colts’ wide receiver Reggie Wayne is just four receptions shy of 1,000. If he accomplishes that, he would be the second player to reach this milestone on MNF (Tim Brown was the first on December 2, 2002).
Brutally honest record: 62-22
The Pagano Bowl is not as exciting or as interesting as the Harbowl. Still this should be an exciting game that could cap off the weekend beautifully. The Thursday contest between the Bears and Giants wasn’t great football. But it was a close game. Yesterday was an excellent slate; especially the Saints versus the Patriots. Indianapolis Colts vs Chargers should be exciting too.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An analyst for 95.7 The Fan and 1620 The Zone, he also writes for Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks), Facebook, and RSS