Hammock Parties
01-12-2007, 11:29 AM
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/01/colts-manning-playoffcommentary120107.html
Colts versus Ravens.
Offense versus defense.
Peyton Manning versus Ray Lewis.
The unstoppable force against the immovable object.
The team that Baltimore once loved - and now hates - against the team that replaced them.
Does anything more need to be said? NFL fans have been waiting for this game. The Indianapolis Colts haven't squared off against the Baltimore Ravens since the 2005 season opener.
But here's something you might not know: nobody owns the Baltimore Ravens like Peyton Manning.
It started when he was a mere rookie in 1998. Manning stood tall on the road against the Ravens in a 38-31 loss, throwing for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2001 it continued as Manning again scorched Baltimore's fourth-ranked defense for over 300 yards. The Colts would lose, however, when a late Manning pass was intercepted and run back 47 yards for a game-clinching touchdown by Rod Woodson.
Manning finally broke through for his first win against Baltimore the following year, leading the Colts down the field for a game-winning field goal with four seconds left.
All told, Manning is 3-2 lifetime against the Ravens and, despite their incredible defense since the turn of the century, has averaged 290 yards passing against them. His lifetime quarterback rating against Baltimore is a sparkling 89.9.
Amidst all these gaudy statistics, there is one caveat that surely you have already guessed.
Manning has never faced these Ravens in the playoffs.
Ah, there's the rub.
Let's be honest, Colts fans - are you really all that confident in your golden boy after the three-interception game he turned in against the Chiefs last week?
While only a fool would bet on Manning turning in two straight subpar performances - regardless of the scene (playoffs or regular season) - Baltimore's defense will clearly be his biggest challenge of the 2006-2007 season thus far.
The Ravens rank first overall in total defense, and are actually 20 yards per game better than any other defense in the league. It's not even close.
Ray Lewis and his pack of wolves have been eating offenses alive all season long - even the good ones.
San Diego sputtered its way to 13 points in Week 4.
Baltimore marched into the Superdome and did their best imitation of Hurricane Katrina on the Saints - two sacks, five turnovers, a pair of defensive touchdowns.
The Bengals were held to 13 points - in Cincinnati. How do you stop No. 85? Baltimore's defense. Chad Johnson was held scoreless in two games against them.
Manning will be facing a secondary that's allowed a league-low 54.8 percent completion rate while intercepting 28 passes - far and away the highest mark in the NFL.
Better than Chicago. Better than New England.
Easily better than Kansas City.
The Chiefs frustrated Manning a week ago by taking away all the deep stuff, holding Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison under 100 yards combined. They were able to put just enough pressure on him to make Manning move a little - just enough to make a difference.
The Ravens have the talent to execute that game plan with a far greater degree of success. They won't give up 190 yards rushing to Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes as the Chiefs did. And you can bet the Colts won't have the chance to run 80 plays from scrimmage this week - not with Brian Billick calling the plays for Baltimore's offense, which will surely turn in a better showing than Kansas City did a week ago.
So yeah, Manning's been historically good against these Ravens. But it's his first road playoff game since 2004 (a 20-3 loss to the Patriots). He's just 1-3 in the divisional round of the playoffs. He's 1-4 overall on the road - the only win against a poor Chiefs defense in 2003.
Oh, but there is some good news - Ty Law will be watching the game from his couch.
Will Manning join him next week?
Did you know that RealFootball365.com is one of the few national football portals that churns out daily NFL and NCAA coverage during the offseason? Tell your friends about us. (http://www.realfootball365.com/refer/)
Colts versus Ravens.
Offense versus defense.
Peyton Manning versus Ray Lewis.
The unstoppable force against the immovable object.
The team that Baltimore once loved - and now hates - against the team that replaced them.
Does anything more need to be said? NFL fans have been waiting for this game. The Indianapolis Colts haven't squared off against the Baltimore Ravens since the 2005 season opener.
But here's something you might not know: nobody owns the Baltimore Ravens like Peyton Manning.
It started when he was a mere rookie in 1998. Manning stood tall on the road against the Ravens in a 38-31 loss, throwing for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2001 it continued as Manning again scorched Baltimore's fourth-ranked defense for over 300 yards. The Colts would lose, however, when a late Manning pass was intercepted and run back 47 yards for a game-clinching touchdown by Rod Woodson.
Manning finally broke through for his first win against Baltimore the following year, leading the Colts down the field for a game-winning field goal with four seconds left.
All told, Manning is 3-2 lifetime against the Ravens and, despite their incredible defense since the turn of the century, has averaged 290 yards passing against them. His lifetime quarterback rating against Baltimore is a sparkling 89.9.
Amidst all these gaudy statistics, there is one caveat that surely you have already guessed.
Manning has never faced these Ravens in the playoffs.
Ah, there's the rub.
Let's be honest, Colts fans - are you really all that confident in your golden boy after the three-interception game he turned in against the Chiefs last week?
While only a fool would bet on Manning turning in two straight subpar performances - regardless of the scene (playoffs or regular season) - Baltimore's defense will clearly be his biggest challenge of the 2006-2007 season thus far.
The Ravens rank first overall in total defense, and are actually 20 yards per game better than any other defense in the league. It's not even close.
Ray Lewis and his pack of wolves have been eating offenses alive all season long - even the good ones.
San Diego sputtered its way to 13 points in Week 4.
Baltimore marched into the Superdome and did their best imitation of Hurricane Katrina on the Saints - two sacks, five turnovers, a pair of defensive touchdowns.
The Bengals were held to 13 points - in Cincinnati. How do you stop No. 85? Baltimore's defense. Chad Johnson was held scoreless in two games against them.
Manning will be facing a secondary that's allowed a league-low 54.8 percent completion rate while intercepting 28 passes - far and away the highest mark in the NFL.
Better than Chicago. Better than New England.
Easily better than Kansas City.
The Chiefs frustrated Manning a week ago by taking away all the deep stuff, holding Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison under 100 yards combined. They were able to put just enough pressure on him to make Manning move a little - just enough to make a difference.
The Ravens have the talent to execute that game plan with a far greater degree of success. They won't give up 190 yards rushing to Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes as the Chiefs did. And you can bet the Colts won't have the chance to run 80 plays from scrimmage this week - not with Brian Billick calling the plays for Baltimore's offense, which will surely turn in a better showing than Kansas City did a week ago.
So yeah, Manning's been historically good against these Ravens. But it's his first road playoff game since 2004 (a 20-3 loss to the Patriots). He's just 1-3 in the divisional round of the playoffs. He's 1-4 overall on the road - the only win against a poor Chiefs defense in 2003.
Oh, but there is some good news - Ty Law will be watching the game from his couch.
Will Manning join him next week?
Did you know that RealFootball365.com is one of the few national football portals that churns out daily NFL and NCAA coverage during the offseason? Tell your friends about us. (http://www.realfootball365.com/refer/)