If you saw the results of my matchup versus Jim O'Brien and his Colts, then well you may be as disappointed as I.

As if the Colts are going to score 50 against the Pats, with or without Rodney Harrison.

I was at a disadvantage. I was on unfamiliar turf, facing an offensive jugernaut.
Wait, that is exactly what the Patriots are facing this weekend.

But what if player skill levels were equal? Hmm.

We asked "Game On" blogger Jim O'Brien to run the game again. This time placing te computer at the helm of both clubs.

Now I can not offer particulars, but I can speculate.

The Patriots came in very prepared. They studied films from the Colts' previous two games - especially looking at Baltimore's defense.

They developed new defensive schemes. They pressured Manning, contained Marvin Harrison.

They studied Manning's audible cadence. Tom Brady changed his.

The Colts defense which for the past two weeks looked like the Steel Curtain of the 70's, looked more like, well, the Colts.

And the Colts offensive struggles in the playoffs continued.

At the half the Patriots had already scored 17, silencing the home crowd. The Colts trailed by 10.

Colts fans were bitter. Their faith in Manning was fading. Once again, the Hall of Fame quarterback was not getting it done.

When approached at the half Manning simply said, "I can't control what happens on BOTH defense and offense."

In the third, the Colts galloped to the endzone, putting a quick seven on board, closing the gap. They were only a field goal away.

But down the stretch, Manning's perfect passes were not being received. With each missed catch, Manning waved his arms in the air, glared at his receivers. The look said it all: "How did you miss that one?" "Sorry to hit you in the hands."

He was rattled. Seeing the general in all too familiar ground demoralized the field soldiers. The end was near.

They didn't know what to expect. The Pats already with the lead, decided to slow things down. What was once a dogfight, became a ground attack. Brady piloted his team down the field eating the clock.

The second half strategy was working with 60 of the 89 rushing yards coming during that span. The Colts now desperate, continued to throw. But with little effect.
Their last two possessions resulting in punts. In the fourth the Pats took advantage of some nice kick returns to put themselves in field goal position.

Though not game-winning acts, Adam Vinatieri's replacement kicked two FG's in the last quarter sealing the Colts' fate.

Once again the Pats' poise prevailed resulting in a 23-14 victory.

GAME STATS

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