Something Has to Give in Colts-Broncos
Thursday, October 26, 2006; 11:46 PM
-- The Indianapolis Colts are next to last in the NFL in run defense. The Denver Broncos are next to last in scoring.
Nonetheless, the Colts are 6-0 and the Broncos 5-1 going into Sunday's game in Denver because of Peyton Manning for Indy, and a Denver defense that's allowed only two touchdowns all season.
  Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning calls an audible at the line of scrimmage as they play the Washington Redskins in NFL football action in Indianapolis, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. The Colts defeated the Redskins 36-22. (AP Photo/Tom Strattman) (Tom Strattman - AP)   The Indianapolis Colts overcome the rain and a sloppy start to beat the Chicago Bears, 29-17. The Colts' victory ignites a wild celebration among the white-and-blue attired fans in the sea of colorful vinyl rainwear that populated the soggy stands. Peyton Manning fills the final hole in his legend as the greatest quarterback never to win the biggest game. Leonard Shapiro: Tony Dungy and Manning seal their place in history by winning the Super Bowl. Manning adds a Super Bowl MVP award to his long list of achievements. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes plow forward for the Colts go-ahead touchdown and never look back. There was a collective failure by the Bears' offense, but Rex Grossman provides the most vivid images. Notebook: Two assistant coaches who participated in the Super Bowl likely will interview for Dallas' head coaching job. On Our Site Wilbon and Kornheiser share their thoughts live during Sunday's big game. Photos: Relive all of the action from the NFL playoffs. Audio: Manning on the Win. Audio: Grossman on the Loss. Audio: Dungy Praises Smith. Quarterly Report (PDF) A Slew of Errors (PDF) Graphic: Play of the Game. MARK MASKE'S NFL INSIDER • Vikings' McKinnie Suspended Four Games • Texans Release Colvin |
That doesn't stop the scrutiny and criticism in either city, especially in Denver, where the Broncos have always been the biggest thing in town. So as they stumble on offense, the cries increase for the insertion of rookie Jay Cutler at quarterback for Jake Plummer.
Mike Shanahan's response: "I don't know how many years I've been saying this, but it's points given up by the defense that consistently wins. It wins championships."
Yes, it does, which may be why the Colts haven't won a title during the Manning era _ the defense never quite keeps up with the offense.
Whatever, it makes for a fascinating game Sunday, one in which the Broncos had better score more than 17 points, their high this season. Even against the Denver defense, Manning, Marvin Harrison and the rapidly improving rookie running back Joseph Addai will put up points.
It's also an important game because the winner will have a tiebreaker for home-field advantage in the playoffs. Denver certainly doesn't want to play in Indy during the postseason; it was outscored there 90-34 in playoff games after the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
Indy was a bit better defensively last week in its 36-22 win over Washington with help from tackle Anthony McFarland, acquired in a trade with Tampa. The Colts are also hoping they will have another major run stuffer this week, because Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders, who missed the last four games with an injury to his right knee, could return.
"Bob does a great job of flying around, making plays," middle linebacker Gary Brackett says. "He's like a missile, he'll hit anything."
So will most of the Denver defenders.
It's the best matchup so far this season.
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