Why I Pick the "Soft" Colts, Their Defense, and Peyton Manning to Make it to the Super Bowl

Coming into the 2007 NFL Playoffs, The Indianapolis Colts were given little chance to advance into the AFC Championship Game. In fact, many experts/writers/fans labeled the Colts as "soft." First, it was believed that the "soft" Indy defense had no chance of containing the Kansas City offense and running back Larry Johnson during Wild Card Weekend. After the Colts defeated the Chiefs many were under the impression that Indianapolis could not beat Baltimore on the road.

Whoops.

This "soft" team is now one win away from earning a trip to the Super Bowl. No matter what the outcome of the AFC Championship Game, respect must be given to a team playing for a conference championship. However, there will be those who once again refuse to give any credit to the Colts. While it is in no way a bad decision to ever pick against Tom Brady and the Patriots in a playoff game, there are a couple of reasons why I will not give up on this "soft" team just yet.

Throughout the 2007 NFL Playoffs, I have correctly picked the Colts to win both of their games. However, even I did not foresee the Indianapolis defense dominating their opponents in the manner they have. In week one of the playoffs Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson was held in check, gaining only 44 yards. Rather impressive, especially considering the Indy defense gave up an average of 173 rushing yards a game. When facing the Ravens a week later, the defense played even better. Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis gained only 53 yards on the ground, and the Colts forced four turnovers.

Basically, this defense could not have peaked at a better time. How often has it been stated that the playoffs are a "second season?" The only thing the regular season is good for at this stage is determining where the games take place. Indianapolis will be the home of the AFC Championship Game, the most important stat that stems from the regular season. It appears that this defense has forgotten about their play during the first four months of the season. Maybe it's about time the rest of us do as well.

Once again, it is Brady and the Pats standing in the way of Peyton Manning and the Colts playing in the Super Bowl. However, things are not the same as they have been in previous years. While this Patriots team is on a roll, nobody should be too surprised to see them playing for the AFC Championship. They won the game they were supposed to against the Jets in the first round, and followed this performance with a road victory against the San Diego Chargers, who were led by a quarterback starting his first playoff game and head coach Marty Schottenheimer. I rest my case.

In spite of how well they have performed thus well in the postseason, New England is not as talented as in previous playoff years. They are also without kicker Adam Vinatieri, who ironically plays for the Colts now. Nobody will ever forget that it is Vinatieri who has kicked not just one but two last second field goals in previous Super Bowls. As if that wasn't enough, he went five for five on field goal attempts against the Ravens last Sunday, scoring all of Indy's points in a 15-6 win. If the game comes down to the wire in the dome and the Colts need a field goal for the win, the chances of a Vander-shank are greatly decreased this time around. Unlike last year when they genuinely had a "soft" kicker, the Colts now have the most clutch kicker in the history of the game playing for them.

Finally, I refuse to believe that Peyton Manning will never "win the big one." John Elway eventually got his. Bill Cowher won his ring last season. Playing at home with a defense playing better than any other left in the postseason, Manning is in a perfect position to finally get to the Super Bowl. Not to mention that for weeks anybody who considers themselves an expert has been saying "watch out for the Patriots in the playoffs." I wouldn't be surprised if, by kickoff time, the Colts are actually underdogs in Las Vegas.

I can't say I would be surprised, though, if New England does once again make their way to the Super Bowl. Even if this is the case, Indianapolis will end their season as, at worst, the fourth best team in the National Football League. Any team who can make such a claim is hardly "soft" in my book.