The Clash of the TitansThe Indy Colts are cool and calm; or at least they claim to be, as the city of Indianapolis nervously awaits Sunday's big game against the New England Patriots.
From WTHR Channel 13 Website:
October 31, 2007
Indianapolis - Just nine weeks into the season, it's rare to see a game getting so much hype. Reporters and photographers jammed into the press room at the Super Bowl champions' practice facility.
"We got a little more media than usual, but it's a good thing. I think the town is really ready for it. They're excited about it. Like I said before, it's just a normal week," said Bob Sanders, Colts safety.
Peyton Manning during Wednesday's Press Conference"The fact that both teams are undefeated it's going to be a great matchup for the fans. It's the type of game you want to play in, it's exciting. But for us your trying to win the game because you want to stay ahead of the pack," said Peyton Manning, QB.
The teams are meeting for the eighth time in five seasons. They're familiar with each other, but some players say there's nothing friendly about this rivalry.
"We don't like them. I'm sure they don't like us. And it always comes to both of us usually at the end of the season one of us beating each other to get the top of the AFC. So we want to get this win, it's important," said Raheem Brock, Colts defensive tackle.
The Colts are downplaying how big this game is.
Coach Dungy was asked why the media wasn't being allowed at practice if it was "just another game."
"We're going to the wishbone and we didn't want anyone to know. Now that the secret is out
maybe we will open it back up. No, we're changing everything around, we're coming out with some new stuff and we didn't want anyone to know," said Dungy.
Good answer coach. And he believes he'll have answer on how to slow down the Patriots.
The Colts have won a franchise-record 12 straight home games and are off to the third-best start of any defending Super Bowl champion, but the oddsmakers are installing New England as a 4.5-point favorite.
New England is 8-0 and has beaten all opponents by at least 17 points. Only two opponents have topped 20 points. Indianapolis is off to another 7-0 start and already has three road wins against division opponents. The Colts lead the league in rushing touchdowns and have allowed fewer points per game than New England.
Manning seemed unfazed by all the hype Wednesday, but he did acknowledge the task ahead.
"I hardly ever really know what the point spread is or who's favored. I know it's an old boring cliche, but I really think in the NFL today, anybody can beat anybody on any given day," Manning said.
While Manning says he's never surprised by who's beating who, he is impressed with New England.
"Certainly these guys are playing great. They've beaten the teams that they've played. They'be beaten them badly. What they're doing a great job of is exploiting your mistakes. You make mistakes, they definitely take advantage of it. So it's important hopefully for us - I mean, you certainly wanna try to play mistake-free football every single game but to try - I don't know if it's possible or not, but certainly try to minimize our mistakes."
The Pats' offense is getting plenty of attention, especially after last weekends 52-7 blowout of the Redskins. But Manning says the Patriots' defense is also impressive. "One of the big reasons their offense is scoring a lot of points is that their defense is making a lot of turnovers and getting them some short fields. That's what you're always looking for in your defense."
"It'll be a real test of our offense to try to get the running game and passing game going 'cause they're stingy with both. They're ranked high statistically both with the running game and passing game. It'll be a tough test for us."
