So I have taken up the challenge of writing a post regarding the NFL and on the day of probably the biggest game of the season well so far, its the New England Patriots Vs the Indianapolis Colts. The reason I say its a challenge is because I live in England and it is a bit of a challenge writing about a sport I have grown to like from watching over the years where as I grew up watching football (or soccer to any Americans reading).
Well this game is certainly the biggest rivalry in the NFL today because of 2 men, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. They are the quarterbacks for their respective teams, Brady (Patriots) Manning (Colts). In the last 10 years both have established themselves as two men who will definitely step into the NFL Hall of Fame once they retire. The rivalry isn't just down to these two though because the Colts and Patriots were AFC East division rivals from 1970 to 2001 when the Colts were in Baltimore but when they moved to Indianapolis then they joined the newly created AFC South following the 2001 season as part of the NFL's realignment. Since 2002, the only year these two teams have not played against each other in the last decade, the rivalry has been bitterly close as both teams entered the 2010 season with 5 wins apiece. To add to the rivalry together the two teams have had 4 Super Bowl victories (three by the Patriots) and five American Football Conference Championships since 2001.
This leads us to today, with less than four hours to kickoff everybody is anticipating another historic encounter. The Colts have lots of injuries but have last years league MVP Peyton Manning ready to lock horns with Tom Brady and the Patriots once again. The Patriots are currently 7-2 while the Colts are 6-3 so this is a big game leading up to the playoffs as it could influence home field advantage and it will also boost confidence for the winning side if they meet again in the playoffs and that is indeed possible.
I will finish by throwing in my views on todays result. As a Patriots fan most will be expecting me to say a New England win but I do honestly believe that the Pats will see off the Colts, they have too many injuries in both offense and defense to deal with the Patriots who have a young solid defense with key experience from the likes of Vince Wilfork and an offense that is starting to look like one of previous years with the likes of Wes Welker and the once again Patriot Deon Branch both having a great understanding with Tom Brady who is back to his best after looking very impressive against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. I was truely in awe of his performance last week, he was amazing and looked unbeatable and was obviously unplayable as the Patriots blew out the Steelers 39-26 at Heinz Field. Brady also has other great young weapons in his offense such as Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Brandon Tate who are all good young players and with other youngsters Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis at running back all of these players help add something unique to the Patriots offense. So yes a Patriots win today it shall be, I will take a guess and predict the score to be about 27-20. Hopefully today will define a new chapter in the New England Patriots franchise as they can build on a victory against their rivals today and go on to win the Super Bowl in Arlington, Texas... Lets Go Pats!!!
