Colts playing game that matters for first time in month
After clinching the top seed in the playoffs one week, then blowing a shot at an undefeated season the next, the Colts had nothing of consequence to play for in the final two weeks of the regular season.
So coach Tony Dungy limited stars Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James to a series or two to protect them against injury, and he sat starters Corey Simon, Bob Sanders, Cato June, Robert Mathis and Ryan Diem to allow their bumps and bruises and sprains and strains a chance to heal.
When the team returned to practice yesterday in preparation for its first meaningful game in four weeks, everyone was accounted for and, barring setback, expected to play Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the RCA Dome in an AFC divisional-round playoff game.
The teams faced each other Nov. 28 in Indianapolis, and the Colts had little trouble in breaking a nine-game losing streak (including the postseason) against the Steelers. They scored on an 80-yard pass on their first play from scrimmage; got 124 yards rushing from James, who became the first back in 24 games to run for 100 yards against Pittsburgh; and limited the Steelers to season lows in total yards (197) and points in the 26-7 victory.
It was the only time this season that Pittsburgh failed to score in double digits and did not reach 200 yards in total offense. It's amazing the outcome wasn't more lopsided considering the Steelers were outgained 235-75 in total yards in the first half and had only 98 yards through three quarters. They finished with 86 yards rushing, but that's misleading because their three tailbacks had only 30 yards on 17 carries before the inconsequential final possession.
All of which means?
"Nothing," said Simon, a defensive tackle who sat out the past three games with a foot sprain. "It means absolutely nothing. This is a new season. This is a whole different atmosphere. This is 'win or go home.'
"We won that game (vs.) Pittsburgh, and we went on to play another game and they went on to play another game. This week, one team will be packing it up to go home and one team will be moving forward."
The Steelers believe three things have to change for the outcome to be different: They have to handle the crowd noise, run the football and limit their turnovers and big plays allowed.
Noise: In the first meeting, the Steelers were cited for five false starts, three in a five-play sequence on right guard Kendall Simmons, and two on backup tackle Trai Essex on Pittsburgh's first series of the third quarter. Much of that had to do with crowd noise, some of which was said to have been piped in – a claim the Colts deny.
Asked what would help the Steelers most in the rematch, running back Jerome Bettis said: "Understanding that we're not going to be able to hear. That was an important part of the game. . . . The noise, that was really impressive. Their fans are really good, so we understand what we're up against."
Run game: The Steelers like to impose their will on the ground, but the Colts would have none of it. It didn't help that starting left tackle Marvel Smith was playing on a bad ankle and had to leave in the second quarter after hurting his healthy ankle. Essex, the rookie who replaced him, wasn't up for the challenge, nor were his linemates. This week, the team is reporting no serious injuries up front.
Limit turnovers and big plays allowed: The Steelers surrendered an 80-yard scoring pass from Manning to Harrison on the opening play, had two of Ben Roethlisberger's passes intercepted, missed a field goal and were unsuccessful on an onside kick to start the second half.
Roethlisberger had missed the previous three games because of knee surgery and looked tentative and out of rhythm in the defeat. If Sunday's win at Cincinnati is any indication, he is back on his game after throwing for three scores with no interceptions. The defense has allowed an average of just 10 points the past five games, all wins, and forced Indy to kick field goals on two of its three red-zone possessions in the earlier meeting.
"We fell behind 10-0 in the last game, but we still played them pretty solid throughout the rest of the game," said safety Troy Polamalu. "We were in the game, but against a team that great you can't give up too many big plays.
Dungy said the danger in any rematch is that teams out-think themselves during preparations. They worry about what changes the opponent might make, instead of focusing on themselves. That won't be the case with the Colts, who believe execution trumps scheme.
In the meantime, the players said they know the game will be as physical and possibly even more chippy than the initial meeting.
"They're going to come in with a different attitude," center Jeff Saturday said. "You can rest assured they understand what's at stake. They're not going to give us big plays. They're going to set everybody back (defensively) and make us take drives down there to score, and we understand that. . . .
"Our defense, if they come out and play like they did, it's tough to beat us. They played a great game, and I think they're excited for the challenge, as well. Pittsburgh has already talked about being more physical, and I think our defense is pumped up and ready for that challenge."
Actually, they're just happy to be playing a game that matters.
source : signonsandiego.com
So coach Tony Dungy limited stars Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James to a series or two to protect them against injury, and he sat starters Corey Simon, Bob Sanders, Cato June, Robert Mathis and Ryan Diem to allow their bumps and bruises and sprains and strains a chance to heal.
When the team returned to practice yesterday in preparation for its first meaningful game in four weeks, everyone was accounted for and, barring setback, expected to play Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the RCA Dome in an AFC divisional-round playoff game.
The teams faced each other Nov. 28 in Indianapolis, and the Colts had little trouble in breaking a nine-game losing streak (including the postseason) against the Steelers. They scored on an 80-yard pass on their first play from scrimmage; got 124 yards rushing from James, who became the first back in 24 games to run for 100 yards against Pittsburgh; and limited the Steelers to season lows in total yards (197) and points in the 26-7 victory.
It was the only time this season that Pittsburgh failed to score in double digits and did not reach 200 yards in total offense. It's amazing the outcome wasn't more lopsided considering the Steelers were outgained 235-75 in total yards in the first half and had only 98 yards through three quarters. They finished with 86 yards rushing, but that's misleading because their three tailbacks had only 30 yards on 17 carries before the inconsequential final possession.
All of which means?
"Nothing," said Simon, a defensive tackle who sat out the past three games with a foot sprain. "It means absolutely nothing. This is a new season. This is a whole different atmosphere. This is 'win or go home.'
"We won that game (vs.) Pittsburgh, and we went on to play another game and they went on to play another game. This week, one team will be packing it up to go home and one team will be moving forward."
The Steelers believe three things have to change for the outcome to be different: They have to handle the crowd noise, run the football and limit their turnovers and big plays allowed.
Noise: In the first meeting, the Steelers were cited for five false starts, three in a five-play sequence on right guard Kendall Simmons, and two on backup tackle Trai Essex on Pittsburgh's first series of the third quarter. Much of that had to do with crowd noise, some of which was said to have been piped in – a claim the Colts deny.
Asked what would help the Steelers most in the rematch, running back Jerome Bettis said: "Understanding that we're not going to be able to hear. That was an important part of the game. . . . The noise, that was really impressive. Their fans are really good, so we understand what we're up against."
Run game: The Steelers like to impose their will on the ground, but the Colts would have none of it. It didn't help that starting left tackle Marvel Smith was playing on a bad ankle and had to leave in the second quarter after hurting his healthy ankle. Essex, the rookie who replaced him, wasn't up for the challenge, nor were his linemates. This week, the team is reporting no serious injuries up front.
Limit turnovers and big plays allowed: The Steelers surrendered an 80-yard scoring pass from Manning to Harrison on the opening play, had two of Ben Roethlisberger's passes intercepted, missed a field goal and were unsuccessful on an onside kick to start the second half.
Roethlisberger had missed the previous three games because of knee surgery and looked tentative and out of rhythm in the defeat. If Sunday's win at Cincinnati is any indication, he is back on his game after throwing for three scores with no interceptions. The defense has allowed an average of just 10 points the past five games, all wins, and forced Indy to kick field goals on two of its three red-zone possessions in the earlier meeting.
"We fell behind 10-0 in the last game, but we still played them pretty solid throughout the rest of the game," said safety Troy Polamalu. "We were in the game, but against a team that great you can't give up too many big plays.
Dungy said the danger in any rematch is that teams out-think themselves during preparations. They worry about what changes the opponent might make, instead of focusing on themselves. That won't be the case with the Colts, who believe execution trumps scheme.
In the meantime, the players said they know the game will be as physical and possibly even more chippy than the initial meeting.
"They're going to come in with a different attitude," center Jeff Saturday said. "You can rest assured they understand what's at stake. They're not going to give us big plays. They're going to set everybody back (defensively) and make us take drives down there to score, and we understand that. . . .
"Our defense, if they come out and play like they did, it's tough to beat us. They played a great game, and I think they're excited for the challenge, as well. Pittsburgh has already talked about being more physical, and I think our defense is pumped up and ready for that challenge."
Actually, they're just happy to be playing a game that matters.
source : signonsandiego.com
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