Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots
San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts

I’m stoked how this played out! I’m confident that the Colts can beat the Chargers as we almost won had Vinatieri not missed that field goal. Need I remind you that we played the Pats the week before and that was during our “darkest days” of the season? The Colts were just starting to feel the effects of life without half of their starters and they were still up by 10 against “the best team ever.” They almost beat the Chargers banged up and bruised so they’ll have to work at losing this weekend. Except for LaDanian Tomlinson – arguably, the greatest RB-in-the-making to take a handoff - and a decent Chargers defense, the Colts should win this by the end of the Q3.

This is what we’re looking at now in the AFC:

1. Patriots
2. Colts
3. Steelers
4. Chargers
5. Jaguars
6. Titans

And just for good measure, here’s your NFC playoff picture, so far:

1. Cowboys
2. Packers
3. Seahawks
4. Buccaneers
5. Redskins
6. Giants

I’ll always root for Eli for obvious reasons, but I’m pulling and have been pulling for a Brett Favre Super Bowl appearance (notice I said appearance as I think the Colts will beat them).

Well, of course, they do…at least in name…and our Colts are heading down to the land of clogged highways, Outkast and peaches for a game people keep calling a “showdown.” Snicker. Showdown…So who are these Falcons anyway – that is, sans the dog bully. A little history to impress your friends and family with leading up to Thursday’s matchup:

The Last Meeting:

The Colts have met the Falcons 13 times, and have a 12-1 advantage dating back to 1966. The last time Indy played the Falcons was on December 14, 2003, when Peyton led them to an easy 38-7 victory, clinching a playoff berth that year. Manning was in form with 5 TDs and went 25-30 for 290 yards and no INTs, Edgerrin James rushed for 126 yards and Marvin Harrison caught 2 TDs for 117 yards. The defense sacked Vick four times that game. During that game, Manning also became the first and only Colts QB to have 5 TDs in one game (now he has six of these), and also he was the 5th QB in NFL history to reach that mark.

Big things happen when we play the Falcons, I guess. The meeting before, in 2001, gave us a 41-27 victory, and a young Dominic Rhodes produced the 3rd largest rushing day among Colts rookies.

Atlanta Falcons (3-7):

• This NFC South team is at the bottom of their division with a 1-4 divisional record.
• They’re coming off a 7-9 season last year, and are in the midst of a QB shuffle.
• Star QB Michael Vick decided to become subhuman and pit dog versus dog to the death in his residence, so now he is facing many years in prison. He recently turned himself in to begin serving jail time three weeks prior to his sentencing hearing.
• After Joey Harrington led the Falcons to a 2-game win streak, the Falcons decided to put in the Colts old arch-nemesis Byron Leftwich, whom they signed on September 18, 2007. He’s injured and rusty, and it showed against the Bucs this past Sunday. As of today, we still don’t know who will start at QB on Turkey Day.
• Warrick Dunn seems to be the shining star on this squad, needing only 26 yards to reach the 10,000-yard milestone. He’s coming off a terrible game against the Bucs, only gaining 32 yards on the ground (getting stuffed by former-Colt, Cato June). He’s backed up by a talented young Jerious Norwood in his 2nd year out of Mississippi State. He’s become a critical piece in the 4th quarter Falcons run game, finishing last year 2nd only to KC’s Larry Johnson in Q4 rush yards.
• Despite their record, the Falcons have one of the most feared secondary’s in the league today: CBs DeAngelo Hall and Chris Houston are quick and great with their hands, while Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker are intelligent, calculating, big-hitting safeties. Between them, they have 25 years of professional football experience!

That’s your quick rundown of the Falcons, a team we rarely play, but a team that should push us to 9-2 for the season.

And, hey, when the game gets boring maybe the cameras will pan over so we can watch something more interesting:

Say it ain’t so!!!

Freeney’s out because a Chargers linemen rolled over his left ankle during the 4th quarter last Sunday. He’s set to miss upwards of 4 games or so.

What will the Polian-Dungy connection do to remedy our backup woes? How about sign Pro Bowler Simeon Rice for a conditional agreement to take over our beloved Pro Bowler Defensive End while he heals?

Just prior to preseason, Rice was dismissed from his Tampa Bay contract due to a nagging shoulder injury, but Rice maintains it’s because he adamantly refused to take a pay cut. Denver picks him up, healthy and almost back to form, and then barely plays him in six games this season. We’re talking Simeon “Freight Train” Rice, a man who hits harder than most DEs and might give Freeney a run for his money regarding speed. This Bobby Bowden-trained elephant gun is No. 13 on the NFL’s all-time sack leader list with over 121 sacks in 172 career games!

Did I mention that Rice left Tampa with a Super Bowl ring? Yeah, he knows how to win big.

I say we got a steal while Freeney gets back to 100 percent. I wonder, when Freeney’s back, will Dungy try to keep his old defensive student and try him out at the left side for Robert Mathis or even try to place him at linebacker? Both unfamiliar positions, but Rice has the size, strength, intelligence and speed to give it an honest shot. I’m just spitballing here, though…

Also, Rice requested his release from the Broncos (this past Friday of all times!) as he was extremely unhappy with his playing time and that they were severely misusing him at an unfamiliar left defensive end position (so maybe Mathis’ position is safe). He replaces Freeney at the right side, which works out well.

NOTES:

- To acquire Rice, the Colts had to let go successful special teams Return Man T.J. Rushing and fullback Luke Lawton. No word yet on who will replace Rushing.
- Rice played under Tony Dungy when Dungy coached the Bucs in 2001.
- In 172 career games, Rice has 590 tackles, 37 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, five INTs and 60 pass deflections.
- Rice only missed 1 game in his first 10 years in the NFL.
- Rice has played in six games for the Broncos this season.
- He is 2nd in the league in current sack leaders only to Michael Strahan of the NY Giants.
- Rice is well-accustomed to sacking league leaders, including Brett Favre, John Elway, Tom Brady and our own Peyton Manning.

Links:

Two key plays on Sunday night’s game, and the Colts are demanding the NFL to fess up. (IndyStar)
Original article for above information on Freeney and Rice. (IndyStar)
Here’s ESPN‘s look at the deal between Rice and the Colts.
Only their fourth two-game losing streak in 81 games, and now they face a new QB snapping for the Chiefs this Sunday. (IndyStar)
Bob Kravitz is dead-on about the Special Teams and dead-wrong about the Coaching. What do you think about his midseason Colts report card? (IndyStar)