Divisional Round Picks: Colts v Patriots

Saturday8:15 PM ET CBS

Colts (11-5) Patriots (12-4)

 

NFL REGULAR SEASON RANKINGS

Total Offense-         Colts: 15th     Patriots : 7th

Passing-                  Colts: 17th      Patriots: 10th

Rushing-                 Colts: 20th      Patriots: 9th  

Total Defense-        Colts: 20th      Patriots: 26th   

Pass Defense-        Colts: 13th      Patriots: 18th   

Rush Defense-        Colts: 26th      Patriots: 30th  

 Past meets present when the Indianapolis Colts (11-5) face the New England Patriots (12-4) for what feels like the umpteenth time in the past 10 years. Only this time, instead of Manning it's Luck who will be trying to knock Patriots quarterback Tom Brady out of the playoffs at home.

Both Luck and Brady are missing a lot of their supporting talent this weekend, with Luck without receiver Reggie Wayne and Brady without Wes Welker, and both his prime tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

Long story short, Luck can't afford to turn the ball over three times in New England. The Pats have forced 170 turnovers over the past five years, the most in the NFL. The last thing the Colts want to do is give Tom Brady short fields -- or get behind 38-10.

Last week, the Colts gave up  44 points. What if the Chiefs hadn't lost Jamal Charles, Brandon Flowers, Don Avery..and more? This would be a different write up.  Indy's defense must stop the run, as the Pats have run the football 77 times over their past two games. Unfortunately, this isn't the Colts strength, as evidenced above by their No. 26 ranking in run defense. Oh, well. …better Luck next year J

Pick: Patriots

Confidence: 4