PEYTON MANNING is coming off the most prolific season by any quarterback in NFL history and has the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS off to a better start this season than even Johnny Unitas ever managed.
It seems as if none of that matters until he beats Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Monday Night Football ML Odds @ BODOG Sportsbook:
Indianapolis Colts -210
vs New England Patriots +175
Manning and the Colts come off a bye looking to finally top the Patriots when the teams meet for the fifth time in the last three seasons. Indianapolis won its second straight AFC South title last season, but the Colts once again saw their hopes of a Super Bowl appearance end with a second playoff loss at New England in as many years.
Manning eclipsed Dan Marino 's 1984 record with 49 touchdowns in 2004, but couldn't get his team into the end zone in a 20-3 loss to the Patriots in a divisional playoff game. One year earlier in the AFC championship game, Manning was sacked four times and threw four interceptions in a 24-14 defeat to the Patriots, who went on to win their first of two straight Super Bowls.
Indianapolis' focus entering this season was to finish with a better record than New England, guaranteeing any playoff encounter with the defending champions would come at the RCA Dome. So far, Manning and the Colts have accomplished that feat with the franchise's best start - but if Indianapolis is to remain unbeaten, the two-time league MVP needs to snap a six-game losing streak against the Patriots and improve on his 0-7 record in Foxboro.
What may push the Colts over the edge this time around is a stifling defense led by Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. Indianapolis is surrendering a league-low 11 points per game, is fourth-best in the NFL in total defense and has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher. Mathis is tied for the NFL lead with eight sacks, including at least one in a team-record seven consecutive games, while Freeney has six to give the team a league-best 26.
The Colts need to maintain a strong pass rush and get consistent play from the secondary against the NFL's No. 2 passing game led by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady , who is third in the league with 2,020 passing yards. Indianapolis averaged only 15.7 points in three September games before the offense returned to form by scoring 35.5 points in four October victories, including a 38-20 victory over Houston on Oct. 23 that gave coach Tony Dungy his 100th career win.
The resurgence of the offense couldn't have come at a better time as the Colts enter their toughest stretch of 2005 - visiting the Patriots and hosting Houston before closing November with a trip to Cincinnati and a home meeting with Pittsburgh.
Injuries to key players have caused New England's defense to struggle at times, but the Patriots may have an emotional edge in this meeting after veteran inside linebacker and team leader Tedy Bruschi returned to action in a 21-16 comeback win over Buffalo last Sunday.
Monday Night Football Odds @ BODOG Sportsbook:
Indianapolis Colts -4.5
New England Patriots +4.5
TOTAL: 48.5
Just 8 1/2 months earlier, and three days after his first Pro Bowl appearance, Bruschi had a mild stroke. His presence and leadership could be just what New England needs to rebound from a shaky start to its title defense.
Prediction: Peyton Manning will rise to the occassion and lift his Colts team to an emphatic win against his old nemesis - Tom Brady. Colts will demolish the Patriots by more than ten points.
BONUS play? UNDER 48.5 looks like a bargain. Defenses rarely sleep during MNF games
Whatever sport or bet type is your passion, Bodog Sportsbook takes you front and center with fast and easy online sports betting, horse racing, online poker and Las Vegas casino action
It seems as if none of that matters until he beats Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Monday Night Football ML Odds @ BODOG Sportsbook:
Indianapolis Colts -210
vs New England Patriots +175
Manning and the Colts come off a bye looking to finally top the Patriots when the teams meet for the fifth time in the last three seasons. Indianapolis won its second straight AFC South title last season, but the Colts once again saw their hopes of a Super Bowl appearance end with a second playoff loss at New England in as many years.
Manning eclipsed Dan Marino 's 1984 record with 49 touchdowns in 2004, but couldn't get his team into the end zone in a 20-3 loss to the Patriots in a divisional playoff game. One year earlier in the AFC championship game, Manning was sacked four times and threw four interceptions in a 24-14 defeat to the Patriots, who went on to win their first of two straight Super Bowls.
Indianapolis' focus entering this season was to finish with a better record than New England, guaranteeing any playoff encounter with the defending champions would come at the RCA Dome. So far, Manning and the Colts have accomplished that feat with the franchise's best start - but if Indianapolis is to remain unbeaten, the two-time league MVP needs to snap a six-game losing streak against the Patriots and improve on his 0-7 record in Foxboro.
What may push the Colts over the edge this time around is a stifling defense led by Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. Indianapolis is surrendering a league-low 11 points per game, is fourth-best in the NFL in total defense and has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher. Mathis is tied for the NFL lead with eight sacks, including at least one in a team-record seven consecutive games, while Freeney has six to give the team a league-best 26.
The Colts need to maintain a strong pass rush and get consistent play from the secondary against the NFL's No. 2 passing game led by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady , who is third in the league with 2,020 passing yards. Indianapolis averaged only 15.7 points in three September games before the offense returned to form by scoring 35.5 points in four October victories, including a 38-20 victory over Houston on Oct. 23 that gave coach Tony Dungy his 100th career win.
The resurgence of the offense couldn't have come at a better time as the Colts enter their toughest stretch of 2005 - visiting the Patriots and hosting Houston before closing November with a trip to Cincinnati and a home meeting with Pittsburgh.
Injuries to key players have caused New England's defense to struggle at times, but the Patriots may have an emotional edge in this meeting after veteran inside linebacker and team leader Tedy Bruschi returned to action in a 21-16 comeback win over Buffalo last Sunday.
Monday Night Football Odds @ BODOG Sportsbook:
Indianapolis Colts -4.5
New England Patriots +4.5
TOTAL: 48.5
Just 8 1/2 months earlier, and three days after his first Pro Bowl appearance, Bruschi had a mild stroke. His presence and leadership could be just what New England needs to rebound from a shaky start to its title defense.
Prediction: Peyton Manning will rise to the occassion and lift his Colts team to an emphatic win against his old nemesis - Tom Brady. Colts will demolish the Patriots by more than ten points.
BONUS play? UNDER 48.5 looks like a bargain. Defenses rarely sleep during MNF games
Whatever sport or bet type is your passion, Bodog Sportsbook takes you front and center with fast and easy online sports betting, horse racing, online poker and Las Vegas casino action
