Football is back! Post your picks!

Originally Posted by Tbone

How confident are you now?

Expected they would throw this one away. The starters looked great. If Manning is on his game and has all his "targets" they could beat anyone. The only question is which team "shows up" in the playoffs. Unfortunately, if past history is a guide, the strategy of "resting Peyton and co" has not been effective.

The year the Colts won it all they had to "work" their way through the playoffs including a wild card game and a dramatic "come from behind" win over New England which they had the advantage of playing here.

I think the Chargers are still the biggest threat. Also it would be ironic if the Jets would advance to the Super Bowl. If so, I hope we at least get a "thanks"!

Will be at the game tonight. Kickoff is at 8:15 our time. Won't be easy, the Ravens are a tough team. The first picture was taken at Rose Hullman Institute where the Colts practice. That is Peyton Manning's "protection" in the background. The "littlest" guy is #63 Jeff Saturday--6'2" 295.

The other pictures are my two favorite Colt players: #93 Dwight Freeney, and #21 Bob Sanders (said to be out with a torn biceps).

?Madden 2010? predicts Colts 24 Ravens 13. I?ll take that?

Good luck guys!

Great game! This is the loudest I've ever heard the crowd at the new stadium. Almost as loud as the old "dome." The only scary moments were when Manning took a hard hit and Antoine Bethea landed on his back after making an interception.

Next week brings San Diego or the Jets. I will be watching that matchup Sunday with friends.

That?s a tough call! The Chargers/Jets game is just about to start as I write this. Don?t really know who I would like to see Indy play. Phillip Rivers is a good quarterback and San Diego has recently become Indy?s ?nemesis? taking that role away from New England. They are also on their way up as the season ends. They have never won a championship and are ?hungry.?

On the other hand, the Jets have the #1 ranked defense and were playing very well against our starters until Indy?s ?management? decided to bench ?Peyton and Co.? Let the record show that we were ahead 15-10 at that stage and may have indeed won with our 1st team (at least I think so). I still question that decision mainly because it let a potentially dangerous competitor into the playoffs--if we had taken them out and gone 15-1 (the Buffalo game truly was meaningless), we wouldn?t have to worry about New York. On the other hand, we will never know who would have won.

Right now, the Colts have so much going for them that it would be damned hard for anyone to beat them--especially here at home. You should see how crazy it is here already. They looked good last night and Peyton has so many ?targets? to throw to: Wayne, Clark, Collie, Garcon, and even Addai. They have enough of a ?running game? to give Manning a break every couple of downs. The defense is playing well and has shored up the ?middle? with a couple of 300 pound run stoppers. Dwight Freeney is still one of the best pass rushers around and Melvin Bullitt (is that a cool name or what?) has stepped in at Strong Safety and has made some big plays for us (kids are already sporting #33 jerseys). He is the one that stopped New England?s shot at going for it on 4th down earlier this year.

At this stage it comes down to execution on game day. Either New York or San Diego will be tough. If Indy brings it?s ?A? game next week neither one will stand a chance--if not, then San Diego or New York may be going to Miami in February. Update: it's still 0-0 as I post.

Half-time update: 7-0 Chargers. From what I've seen so far, I like Indy's chances against either one--especially since they have to come here. Of the two, I'd say San Diego is clearly the better team. And I think they will go on to win this one. I'd forgotten how good Darren Sproles can be. Should ba a good game next week! Don't know if I will be able to get tickets again. Time to call in favors...

It will be the Jets.

Time: 3:00 EST January 24, 2010

Place: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN, USA

My Prediction: Colts 29 Jets 10.

If the Jets win I will eat the thong pictured below. Worn by Kelly Shore of course!