The upcoming Colts game, 9/11/11

[cadams]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I am shocked that people have forgotten that Freeney and Mathis are two of the best DEs in the league, and that Indy has a playoff quality defense. They still have two of the best receivers in the league in Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. This is not a bad team.

On a side note, since when has Hasselback become a forgotten man? Granted the Titans do not have top tier WR, but Hasselback is still a top half of the NFL type QB.

i think people are getting excited, obviously.

i think the texans are the favorite to win the division, but they stil lhave to actually win it. the colts' defense is not a playoff caliber defense. they cannot defend the run, and their two best defensive players are one demensional. freeney and mathis are 2 of the best in the league at rushing the passer, but they are terrible at defending the run. the texans could still screw this up and lose, but there is no reason on paper that this game should be close. the o-line for teh colts is terrible, and the only reason they haven't been completely exposed in the past is because manning gets rid of the ball so fast. collins is a down the field passer who needs the run game to be going well to be effective as a passer. the colts have not had a good running game since their super bowl season. without manning, they are a 6 win team

[WMH]

Originally Posted by cadams

i think people are getting excited, obviously.

I think this is the understatement of the year.

While I am excited about the prospects of the season without Manning, I was excited WITH Manning playing as well. I believe that this team will be competitive on a week in and week out basis, save for a stinker or two. How the ball bounces remains to be seen. As we saw last year, it NEVER bounced our way. To lose 5 games in the last two minutes is a combination of poor management, and just plain ole dumb luck.

In the last twenty years ~45% of all the NFL regular season games were decided by 7 or less points and ~25% of the football games were decided by 3 or less. To think that we are going to just walk into the playoffs with a division crown is a little far fetched. It is an Any Given Sunday league, and while on paper it looks to be ours for the taking, they still have to play the games.

That said, I still believe we will win this week, thinking in the 28-21 range for the W.

Uber excited to get this thing rolling!

[cadams]

Originally Posted by WMH

I think this is the understatement of the year.

That said, I still believe we will win this week, thinking in the 28-21 range for the W.

Uber excited to get this thing rolling!

i actually think the score will be something more like 31-17

[cadams]

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports Manning had cervical fusion surgery this morning. The expected recovery if 2-3 months, although we’ve seen with this injury how tricky it is to put a timeline on anything.

Indianapolis had no idea how Manning would respond to his last surgery. After delays, he tried to practice lightly for a week. That caused a setback, back pain, and further surgery. No one can truly know where this goes from here.

It sounds like the Colts will hold out hope that Manning can return this season, but the landscape of the AFC South has clearly changed.

It’s up to Kerry Collins and company to try to keep the Colts afloat in the meantime. We have our doubts they can do so. Even if Manning was able to play again this season, it could be too late to make a difference.

this probably puts the colts out for the year

[HPF Bob]

As much as I enjoy hating on the Colts, it would be really sad if this becomes a career ending injury that never heals properly despite the surgery.

I had a friend who died from complications to spinal surgery. Even the best in that field aren't always successful.

I hope he's able to come back, just not against us.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

As much as I enjoy hating on the Colts, it would be really sad if this becomes a career ending injury that never heals properly despite the surgery.

I had a friend who died from complications to spinal surgery. Even the best in that field aren't always successful.

I hope he's able to come back, just not against us.

At 35, he's had a very long NFL career relatively speaking. On the other hand 35 years old is a very young person with well over half of your life remaining according to current life expectancy tables. And Peyton Manning more than almost any other football player surely could have a very successful and very prosperous life after his football playing days are over, in and/or out of the world of football.

[Nconroe]

Are we gonna do that guess the weekly winner contest this year?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

Are we gonna do that guess the weekly winner contest this year?

Are you asking about the suicide game? Where everyone picks a team to win, you can only pick that team once a season, and we see who is the last man standing?

I looked for the old thread of this yesterday, but I could not find it. I'm ready to play.

[Foo'ball Fool]

Last year's contest is in the Other 31 Teams Forum. Here's the link: http://www.inthebullseye.com/forums/...ead.php?t=1120

[Arky]

Bob ran it last year. Bob, do you want to run it this year?

Keith: still onboard with the grand prize?

I suppose one of us could start it and Bob can either take over or pass it to another....

Someone want to go ahead and start the thread?

[chuck]

I'll take Green Bay.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Arky

Keith: still onboard with the grand prize?

Whoever wants to run it, I'll send the winner a free ItB t-shirt, size XL, shipped anywhere in the U.S.

[Arky]

Thanks Keith! I started the thread in the Other 31 Teams Forum...

[Blitzwood]

The real stunner will be if the Colts have one of the worst records this season and draft Andew Luck next year!!

[TheMatrix31]

Man, is this thread beautiful to see.

I'm not overzealous or anything, but I'm confident. Excited to see what Wade Phillips can do. Also excited to see how Ward and especially Tate will fill in for Arian.

Ahhhh just a few short hours left!

[cadams]

Originally Posted by Arky

The Colts are going to give 110 percent in this contest, but I can't say the same thing about Houston. The Texans have been looking forward to this game since the NFL schedule was released in April. Without Manning in the equation, Houston won't have the same fire. In fact, I think Manning being out (as opposed to playing injured) really hurts the Texans because now they're expected to win. They are not good in this role, as evidenced by what happens to them late in the year after a hot start.

I'm picking Indianapolis to stun everyone by pulling the upset. This is not a good spot for a choking Houston team.

he appears to have been slightly off on his prediction

[Arky]

Originally Posted by cadams

he appears to have been slightly off on his prediction

Yep, and good for the Texans. Just for clarity sake, the quote was made by Walter of walterfootball.com and not me.

Walter is a good handicapper and I have much respect for him. Think it's hard picking the Texans correctly every week, try picking all 16 games.

He was dead wrong on this one but he'll get it together before the year is over. Let's just say that if you bet a $1 (or "unit" as he calls them) every time he advises, at the end of the year, you would be able to afford a nice night out on the town....