by Andy KentFiled under: Colts, Patriots, NFL Analysis
This has become the most exciting non-division rivalry of the current era thanks to the consistent high level of play of the two quarterbacks -- New England's Tom Brady and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning. Both are surefire Hall-of-Famers and looking to add to their growing legacies, and both also are looking to take their respective teams back to the Super Bowl but with different results from their last appearances -- Manning's Colts lost to the Saints last year and Brady's Patriots saw their bid for perfection fall one game short with a loss to the New York Giants at the end of the 2007 season.After a bumpy start to the season with losses to AFC South rivals Jacksonville and Houston, the Colts have rebounded to sit atop the division at 6-3 and Manning has kept them afloat despite a rash of injuries to some of his key offensive targets. He knows that the outcome of this game always has gone a long way to impacting who represents the AFC in the Super Bowl so he will no doubt have his game face on.
For New England, last Sunday's convincing 39-26 road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field sent a message to the rest of the AFC that this perennial title contender should never be counted out. Brady showed a fiery side that had been missing of late as he ran for a touchdown and threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns to allow the Patriots to stay tied with the New York Jets at 7-2 and host the Jets on Dec. 6, which is a Monday night. Their young defense will need to be prepared for every trick Manning is capable of throwing at them.
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