Obviously the Denver Broncos are going to have something to say about it, but the Indianapolis Colts versus the New England Patriots is a preview of the AFC Championship game. So it’s an AFC Title game preview, meaning this is a preview of that preview. Of course, when it’s all said done the Kansas City Chiefs and whoever emerges from the AFC North will be a factor too.
SPREAD: Indianapolis Colts -2.5. The Indianapolis Colts are 13-10 outright as favorites since Chuck Pagano became coach in 2012 (.565)
TV: SNF on NBC, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tafoya
NBC’s studio personalities, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison did a media conference call yesterday to preview this one as they obviously have strong Colts and Patriots ties.
Harrison on Patriots:
“Belichick, he’s treating this like it’s a playoff game because it’s a very difficult place. They play with a different speed when they’re on that turf, and it’s just something about the fans and just how excited they get when they’re playing against Belichick and Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. So I guarantee you, I wanted to have a conversation with Bill, and he declined to have a conversation with me.
So I know how important this game is, because he’s really focused on this game. So I think he approaches it like it’s a playoff game.”
Dungy on Andrew Luck-Peyton Manning comparisons:
“They are similar numbers. But it is a different way of doing it. Andrew is obviously more athletic and does some things out of the pocket, a little more runs and puts more pressure on the defense that way. For the most part, when Peyton was there, especially early in his career, he had Edgerrin James and had a huge running game.
“The Indianapolis Colts have not had that type of running game with Andrew. It is a little different, but I think the thing that is similar is the fact that both of those players are so smart and they’re able to do a lot of different things, use a lot of different players, look for mismatches, that part is very similar. The difference being Andrew probably making more improvised plays than Peyton did.”
Football Night In America analysts Dungy and Harrison previewed this week’s Patriots-Colts Sunday Night Football matchup on a media conference call last Tuesday. Dungy spent seven seasons as the Colts’ head coach, leading Indianapolis to an 85-27 regular-season record during his tenure, and a Super Bowl XLI victory over Chicago in 2007. Harrison played six seasons with New England, and won back-to-back Super Bowls in 2004 and 2005 as a member of the Patriots.
Following are excerpts from Tuesday’s conference call:
Dungy on defenses creating turnovers: “It’s going to come down to pass rush. I don’t think the secondary is going to create turnovers. These quarterbacks are too accurate. They’re too smart. They’re not going to throw into covered guys.”
Harrison on Patriots’ and Bill Belichick’s approach to Sunday’s game: “He’s treating this like it’s a playoff game because it’s a very difficult place. They play with a different speed when they’re on that turf, and it’s just something about the fans and just how excited they get when they’re playing against Belichick and Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. I wanted to have a conversation with Bill, and he declined to have a conversation with me. I know how important this game is because he’s really focused on this game. So I think he approaches it like it’s a playoff game.”
Dungy on playoff implications of NE Patriots- Indianapolis Colts: “If (the Colts) win this game, both teams will have three losses. The Indianapolis Colts will have the head?to?head tie breaker. So the Patriots have to be feeling, ‘Hey, if we win this game, we’re not going to go to Indy again this year.’ That’s the way you’re looking at it.”
Click here for the full transcript of the call:
Sports Bank Prediction: Indianapolis Colts 38, Patriots 34
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and very often writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his features stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2