10/28: Showdown

[Rooster]

Indianapolis Colts (6-0)

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Carolina Panthers (4-2)

It's a matchup of two division leaders that have ascended to the top of their packs in different ways. The Colts haven't lost a game since 2006, backing up their Superbowl trophy in the most impressive style; last week's 29-7 thrashing of a would-be contender, the Jacksonville Jaguars, was testament to the Colts' great start. The Panthers started shakily, going 2-2 with a couple questionable losses including a sieve-like admission of 34 straight points from the Houston Texans, who the Colts beat the following week. Both teams are here though, in what is most likely the game of the day.

Despite recent advances in their defence under Tony Dungy, the Colts are virtually synonymous with offence. Aside from the inhuman offensive performances so far by the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys, both of which have played a game more than the Colts, the Colts lead the league in scoring with 193 points (32.2 per outing). The Colts are also fourth in the league in touchdowns, behind only the Patriots, the Cowboys and the New York Giants, who have only one more touchdown than the Colts but have played one more game. If that wasn't enough, the Colts' pass protection has always been good, with Manning only being sacked 175 times in a career spanning 150 games.

The Panthers' strength, a defence so stifling it crumples the paper upon which its depth chart is written, has looked good aside from that Week 2 hiccup against the Texans. The Panthers have allowed only 76 points in their other five games (15.2 per game), with the pre-season linebacker controversy being ironed out easily. Rookie Jon Beason seems to have that special something the Panthers wanted, leading the team in tackles (45 in 6 games). The scary part is that the Panthers are managing this despite Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker only having 1.5 sacks between them so far - if those two get going, opposing quarterbacks could be experiencing a lot of pain.

This clash of styles, a high-flying offence that's been tearing up everything in its path with a hard-nosed defence ready to take on anyone, provides for a very exciting matchup. While the Colts are favoured, and rightfully so, this is not a game that anyone can call so soon.

Key Matchup: Peyton Manning vs. Julius Peppers

Peyton Manning has become one of the best quarterbacks on the history of the game and Julius Peppers is on a personal mission to make great quarterbacks suffer. Manning has thrown for 1,578 passing yards so far this season (263 per game) and has a career-high completion percentage of 68.3 so far. Peppers has struggled in 2007 but has a career sack average of 10.8 per season and is too talented to flounder for this long. Sacks might not even be necessary though - the key to this game is whether the Colts can execute their game plan without facing too much disruption from the Panthers' combination of patient coverage and frantic pass-rush. Manning is the ultimate executor and Peppers is the ultimate disrupter.

Key Injuries: Marvin Harrison and Dan Morgan

What can't be said about these two players? Marvin Harrison is still spry at 35, coming off of eight straight double-digit touchdown seasons. While that streak could end this year, his bruised knee being a likely culprit, he's still Manning's most dangerous threat and missing him could give the Panthers' secondary a chance to put on the clamps. Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble will be very hungry and a lot will be placed on Reggie Wayne.

Dan Morgan has never played more than 13 games in a season, so his current ankle injury might not be a surprise to some. Where Morgan lacks in durability, though, he makes up in talent. He consistently racks up tackles (22 in 3 games so far this year) while playing what many feel to be the most important position on defence. It's disappointing that he's out after missing the season's first three games but the Panthers are 2-1 both with and without him so hopefully they can make up for his absence.

Prediction: Colts - but don't be so sure

The Colts have been the better team so far this season but that doesn't guarantee much. The Panthers are at home, coming off of two weeks worth of Colt-focused tape, and they're due for a big defensive day. That is, if the Colts don't light them up like everyone else.

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Fun fact #1: Marvin Harrison attended the same high school as recently deceased NBA forward Eddie Griffin (Roman Catholic High in Philadephia).

Fun fact #2: Thanks to Canadian digital cable, this is the first Panthers game this season I can actually watch in its entirety. Party time!

[Fatty]

So much effort, too bad nobody posts here.

[boogiesdad]

not called for