Keys to the Game for the Colts:
Offensively
1. Run the football. We cannot let NE's front 7 slow us down, make them have to put extra defenders closer in the box. Also, we're going to have to be able to run North-South. It's difficult to run wide against the 3-4, so that means we need Jeff Saturday and Crew to make some holes in the interior line.
2. Protect Manning. Account for all the Patriots defenders that are blitzing. Give him time to make plays. Peyton is going to have to make some throws on the run or off his back foot too.
3. Just Move the chains. The patriots are going to try to take away the big play throw from Wayne and Harrison (if he plays), that means we'll have to make the short throws to Clark, Utecht, Addai, etc. to move the chains.
Matchup of the game: Clark vs. Adalius Thomas. Thomas is one of the few LB's who can actually keep up somewhat with Clark. Clark still got the better of him in the Baltimore playoff game however.
Defensively:
1. Get pressure on Brady. Don't give him time to pick apart the Cover 2.
2. Stop the Run early and often. Don't let the Patriots think they can just run it down our throats. This is a new Colts' D.
3. Take away the big play. Force Brady to make short passes. That means taking away the Randy Moss deep ball.
4. Beware of the spread-out. Brady is probably going to use bunch formation to spread us out to find the open man. That means our CB's have to be physical and aggressive.
Matchup of the Game: Brady Vs. Bob Sanders. It's up to Brady to find Bob Sanders and figure out what he's going to do. The Colts will likely line Bob Sanders up between the other safety and the LB Core. He has tremendous range and is an excellent hitter. It's up to Brady to be aware of him.