Eric Heise dot Com ~ The Monday Analysis 17 January 2005 ~ A Writer's March

Massive Divisional Weekend! Massive! Home wins! Big huge wins! Lots of big plays, but none bigger than the win at The Razor!

The snow came down, and the Razor is still not Peyton's Place! Manning No. 2 is 0-7 in Foxboro!

The heavily favored Indianapolis Colts played like ponies with zero touchdowns, and the Patriots beat the Colts again at the Razor, 20-3. A big win for our Patriots football team!

Neither team scored in the first quarter, but the Patriots got off to a good start in the second with two field goals on two trips into the red zone. One field goal was the result of a touchdown called back for a penalty, a false start on Matt Light, who also played a little weak, allowing two sacks on Tom Brady. Indy answered with their only scoring drive, a field goal in the final seconds of the half. 6-3, Patriots.

Then, the Patriots Offense went to work, staying on the field for two long scoring drives. In their second possession of the second half, the Patriots went 87 yards in 8:16 for a Brady touchdown pass to David Givens. The Defense allows one first down on the Indy's next possession, and the Offense runs another long scoring drive for 94 yards over 7:24. 20-3, New England. The Colts ended the game trying to score in the final second, and it ended much like it ended in last year's AFC Championship game - Manning to Harrison in the endzone. Rodney Harrison, that is, for an interception.

Tom Brady orchestrated a brilliant offensive game, holding on to the ball for 37:43. He was 18 for 27 for 144 yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD, 0 INTs, and a 92.2 QB rating. His counterpart over the other side, Manning No. 2 was 27 for 42 for 238 yards, ) TDs, 1 INT, and a QB rating of 69.3, a vast difference from the home win over Denver last week of a 145.7 rating.

Corey Dillon rushed 23 times for 144 yards. Kevin Faulk rushed 11 times for 56 yards, and the Patriots on total had 210 yards on the ground. Brady also threw to 10 different receivers.

And the Defense, what can you say? No Seymour, no Law, no Poole, a beat up secondary, and all they did was pressure Manning and the Colts for just over twenty-two minutes of football. Rodney Harrison, Mike Vrabel, and Tedy Bruschi all had forced fumbles. Vrabel sacked Manning once. Lots of three and outs, one first down and out. The Defense did nothing but defend, and was spectacular at it.

"I told the team I'm really proud of them. I thought they gave a tremendous effort out there today," said head coach Bill Belichick after the game. "I'm really lucky we have so many good players. I think that was a best thirty minutes of football this season."

Manning is done. Next to Shittsburgh for another AFC Championship match up in that filthy western Pennsylvanian city. Roethlisberger, the Patriots are coming! The Patriots are coming!

The Monday Analysis POWER Rankings

Down to the Final Four of '04.

1. Pittsburgh (16-1). I keep them here for the record and the game they host next week. But really, they've dropped.

2. New England (15-2). What a huge win over the Colts on Sunday! Manning No. 2 looked like Manning No. 1 and 3 rolled into one guy.

3. Philadelphia (14-3). Dominating win over Minnesota, but they'll need to contain Mick Vick in the Championship game, their fourth in a row.

4. Atlanta (12-5). Blow out of the Rams. But now Vick and the Falcons need to take care of busy in Philly.

5. Indy (13-5). Sad. Manning can't win the big game. When will he ever?

6. NJ Jets (11-7). You stink!!

7. St Louis (9-8). One dimensional - awful.

8. Minnesota (9-8). 'Fro dimensional.

9. San Diego (12-5). Martyball continues for a couple more years..

10. Green Bay (10-6). Brett Favre is wondering if he wants to play anymore.

11. Seattle (9-8). Firings should continue to the head coach's office.

12. Denver (10-7). In need of something new.