 Colts-Chargers Preview When the Chargers and Colts met in early November, Indianapolis was coming off a demoralizing loss to the Patriots and it showed. Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning threw a franchise record six interceptions and their special teams took the day off. Darren Sproles returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for one touchdown, then returned a punt 45 yards later in the first quarter for another score. And normally reliable placekicker Adam Vinatieri missed two field goals in the game, including a potential game winner from 29 yards out with less than two minutes remaining in the game. The differences will be many this time around. One big difference is that this game will take place in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. The noise level alone gives Indianapolis an advantage. The Colts will also have the services of wide receiver Marvin Harrison and Dallas Clark, both of whom did not play in the first meeting. But they will be without pass rushing ace Dwight Freeney. The biggest difference for the Chargers will be that they may be without star tight end Antonio Gates. Or at least have him playing at far less than 100 percent. The loss of Gates, or having him at less than optimum playing ability, weakens the San Diego passing game immensely. But the Chargers still have their defense, which will play a major role on the outcome of the game regardless of who lines up on offense. When the Colts have the Ball-Don't expect Peyton Manning to have a repeat performance of his nightmare in San Diego. Manning prepares better than anyone in the NFL and you can bet he's evaluated the film from that debacle more times than one can imagine. And as was previously mentioned, life for Manning may be easier with Harrison and Clark available. Even if Harrison is limited, he still commands more attention than rookie Anthony Gonzalez. Reggie Wayne had a big day the first time the two teams met, and with Clark and Harrison back, the Chargers will have even more to concern themselves with defensively. The Chargers forced mistakes by cloaking their coverages and giving Manning a myriad of different looks along with blitzes. It is unlikely any of that will change. In fact, the Chargers may even be more aggressive. With Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips rushing from the outside, the Colts will have to make protection a major priority. This may mean keeping running back Joseph Addai in for added protection or having Clark help out one of the tackles. But picking up the San Diego blitzes is imperative for Indianapolis. If the Colts can protect Manning, the Chargers will be in a tough spot. Quentin Jammer, Antonio Cromartie and Drayton Florence aren't bad corners, but Wayne and Harrison are among the best. Add Clark to the mix and the job becomes even more difficult. In the running game, a great deal depends on whether or not the Colts can control Chargers nose tackle Jamal Williams. Williams is the best in the business at his position and demands attention. Colts center Jeff Saturday will probably need help neutralizing Williams, but most everyone does. Then the Colts have to contain ends Igor Olshansky and Luis Castillo, both of whom have played well of late. Rookie Tony Ugoh, Ryan Lilja, Jake Scott and Ryan Diem will have to win the battle up front for Addai to have any success. He didn't have much in the first meeting and as good as the Indianapolis passing attack is, the Colts don't want to be totally one-dimensional and let the Chargers just pin their ears back. Look for the Colts to use the Chargers aggressiveness against them. Addai will have to be patient, but the holes will be there. When the Chargers have the Ball-The San Diego offense begins and ends with running back LaDainian Tomlinson. He is the best back in the NFL and can hurt a team more ways than any other back. Tomlinson has struggled at times this season, but he always finds a way to get points on the board whether it be rushing, receiving or passing. If Antonio Gates is out or very limited, it makes the Chargers even less threatening in the passing game. That makes them more one-dimensional. It also means more of the offensive burden falls on Tomlinson. Not having a full strength Gates means the Colts can be more aggressive attacking the run. And very few attack the run better than Defensive MVP Bob Sanders. Look for the Colts safety to be up close and personal with Tomlinson the entire game. He has the speed to run down most ball carriers and even more importantly, he rarely misses tackles. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that the Chargers will try to get Tomlinson as many touches as possible. The Colts know that and will just try to contain him as much as possible without making the critical mistakes that many teams do when they face the Chargers. The Chargers will likely attack defensive end Josh Thomas, the replacement for Freeney. With Robert Mathis and Raheem Brock on the opposite side, it is a logical move. Linebacker Freddie Keiho was among the leading tacklers on the club despite only playing in 11 games. He'll need to come up big for the Colts against Tomlinson. Quarterback Phil Rivers had been inconsistent much of the season, but has played well the last four games. That is the upside. The downside is that his best receiver, Antonio Gates may either not play, or play at less than full strength. With Gates not being as big a factor, that leaves Chris Chambers as the primary threat in the passing game. Rivers will have to play smart against the Colts. He cannot try to make throws just to make something happen because he just doesn't have the weapons with which to do so. Vincent Jackson had a big game last week, but he hasn't been the playmaker some thought he might be in 2007. Therefore, outside of Chambers, Tomlinson may be his best threat….and safest. The Colts, like every other NFL club, will do whatever they can to keep Tomlinson from getting into open space. Using Tomlinson as a receiver not only gets him into open space, it also diminishes the chances for a critical mistake by Rivers forcing a throw to a wideout. The Colts will be aggressive and get after Rivers. Rivers is not a track star to begin with, but he is nursing a bum knee. The Colts will try to make him try and make plays on the run, which he can't really do right now. The secondary will look to play solid, not spectacular. The Chargers don't have receivers that strike fear in the hearts of defensive backs around the NFL and the Colts are well aware of that. If the front four cannot get the desired pressure, look for Sanders and others to come after Rivers. Special Teams-It would be a safe bet to say the Colts will change something on special teams before they kick to Sproles this time around. Tony Dungy is not about to lose a playoff game because of special teams. Vinatieri appears to have worked out his problems. He hasn't missed an attempt since November 18. For the Chargers, kicker Nate Kaeding hasn't missed an attempt since the first week of December, but he is playing through a minor leg injury. In the playoffs, the edge goes to Vinatieri. Final Analysis-Peyton Manning does not like to lose. He also hates to play terribly. He will look to bury the humiliating loss to the Chargers in November in a big way. As a team, the Colts view a rematch with the Patriots as their destiny. The Chargers are an obstacle that they have to overcome to get their rematch. Without Dwight Freeney, the Colts obviously aren't the same on defense. But the Chargers aren't the same team on offense without Gates either. The Colts may not have an easy time finding the end zone early, but the lack of a balanced offense will catch up with the Chargers even with a weapon like LaDainian Tomlinson. The Chargers defense won't be able to hang on the entire game against the Colts offense and the Colts defense will frustrate Rivers into one too many mistakes. That combination will give the Colts their chance for a rematch with New England.
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