General:
When NFL season reaches deep into the playoffs and only the very elite teams remain, assuming Indianapolis and Pittsburgh still are alive, don't expect any of the remaining teams to handle the other easily. When top tier teams meet in these levels of games, teams must be balanced both offensively and defensively in order to continue forward. Teams that run the ball well and stop the run well are the teams that usually advance. Should these two teams meet, it is most likely the game will be played outdoors in Pittsburgh. Would expect that Indianapolis will find it difficult to run on the Steelers. Without being able to run, Mannings ability to use play action will be impacted although suspect he will still have some success. On the other side, fully expect the Steelers to be able to run significantly against a still questionable Colts defensive front, as well as move the ball in the air to Ward and Burress, thus the Steelers should be able to control time of possession and move the ball into scoring territory. The Colts will find themselves with fewer possessions and greater difficulty moving the chains consistently. If this game was indoors in Indianapolis, the Colts would have a much better chance of winning, but on the road, probably either in the Divisional Round or the Conference Championship, believe they will be hard pressed to pull off the win.
oldman ted
Ditto.
Big Lou
When NFL season reaches deep into the playoffs and only the very elite teams remain, assuming Indianapolis and Pittsburgh still are alive, don't expect any of the remaining teams to handle the other easily. When top tier teams meet in these levels of games, teams must be balanced both offensively and defensively in order to continue forward. Teams that run the ball well and stop the run well are the teams that usually advance. Should these two teams meet, it is most likely the game will be played outdoors in Pittsburgh. Would expect that Indianapolis will find it difficult to run on the Steelers. Without being able to run, Mannings ability to use play action will be impacted although suspect he will still have some success. On the other side, fully expect the Steelers to be able to run significantly against a still questionable Colts defensive front, as well as move the ball in the air to Ward and Burress, thus the Steelers should be able to control time of possession and move the ball into scoring territory. The Colts will find themselves with fewer possessions and greater difficulty moving the chains consistently. If this game was indoors in Indianapolis, the Colts would have a much better chance of winning, but on the road, probably either in the Divisional Round or the Conference Championship, believe they will be hard pressed to pull off the win.
oldman ted
Ditto.
Big Lou
Personally I'll take my chances against a Rookie QB. You just know he is going to make a couple of big maitakes in the playoffs, and If I'm Pitt I'm starting to get worried about that O-Line, giving up alot of scaks lately.Indy hasn't played that badly in bad weather. Won at Denver in snowstorm last year and played NE tough. Give me the ML on Indy in that one.
