New York Jets at the Indianapolis Colts Recap

Let me start by saying man, losing to the Jets sucked big time, like big time. That being said although I wouldn't have admitted it during the Playoffs but this years Colts team was far too injured to really make a playoff push. I did think we'd beat the Jets and Thought we could give the Steelers a go of it but the idea of winning two more games after that seemed rather unlikely.



The Colts had a Good game plan offensively and defensively against a team that has been building to beat the Colts as if they were in their division and Manning had a good night on top of that. Offensively it's clear there just weren't enough play makers to create match up problems to create any long drives which could put more points on the board but also wear down the defense and facilitate those late game heroics fact of the matter is you cant win games kicking threes, I've always said it the Colts kicked threes and they lost. Defense was a whole different thing, I felt good about the team defensively they were coming in hot and Mark Sanchez really, really sucks. The first half They looked great, stuffing the run, didn't let and long sustained drives happen to wear down the defensive line but the second half the wheels came off and the Colts let the Jets hang seventeen on them. If you're asking what happened in the second half, the Colts starting free safety Aaron Fransico left the game with a quad injury and was replaced with Ken Hamlin and that was all the Jets running game needed to get going. all in all I'm not really trying to make any excuses, injury is part of football but on this wide a scale it was tough to not wonder what would have been and it does make me feel great going in to next year. the last thing I want to impart is just how injured we truly were. below this I'm going to attach a chart stacking our offense vs our defense but I'm going to use the number the play is on the depth chart (meaning whether they are first , second string ect.) I'm going to use a "X" if the player was signed during the season to fill a spot due to injury if you see a "x" with a number after it means they were brought in to replace someone who was brought in to replace someone the number will denote how many time it happened. If there's a number before that's how many players were injured on the roster before the Colts had to bring in the new player. keep in mind Dallas Clark and Austin Collie are among those missing

Wildcard Weekend!

Playoffs, Playoffs, Playoffs!
Dr Jamez

I once read that good writers don’t use exclamation marks because they are truly only supposed to be used in quoting someone or dialog however if you know me and how much I love football, even more the playoffs, even more the Colts in the playoffs you know for me that’s as subtle as I can be. This year’s playoff games are almost over whelming how good the games should be and the storylines you can make if you were properly motivated to do so. I’m going to spend some time on each game and what I think is coming* I’ll try not to over do the Colts portion but no promises.

(What I think is coming may be presented as 40% logic 60% fan analysis)

New Orleans Saints at the Seattle Seahawks

We’re going to get the easy ugly game out of the way first. Obviously, unless the Madden curse catches up with Brees in the first quarter it’s a close to a lock as you could ever get, even if he did go down the Saints would probably still win. I’ll the best bit of analysis I’ve heard on this game came I’ve heard is “Sean Payton will be spending most the week trying to decide if he should rest his starters vs. the Seahawks.”

Baltimore Ravens at the Kansas City Chiefs

The general consensus is that this game is as close as any this weekend. Even though he didn’t get the consideration Matt Cassle put up M.V.P. numbers this season. Jamal Charles was a top five rusher and nearly broke a Rookie record set by the Great Jim Brown. Dwayne Bowe was Probowl Wide Receiver and the defense was also tops in the league all this and I still think the Ravens will easily win. Don’t mistake what I’m saying, I don’t think it will be a blow out. That is, unless the Ravens get some defensive scores which is always a huge concern playing great Ed Reed. The Ravens offense as I said can be efficient and has loads of talent but isn’t going to blow anyone out. I think the biggest problem there is play calling but when comparing the two teams, in the playoffs, I find in every possible area the Ravens are as good in a few but better in most. I don’t see any advantage the Chiefs have other then home field.

Green Bay Packers at the Philadelphia Eagles

Ahem…… WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…. Yes, I know I was trying to walk down the “good writing” path but how can you not be excited about this game. I’m not even talking about the over hyped Michael Vick redemption story line, or the battle of NFC power house quarterbacks, or Rodgers playing with a chip on his shoulder to because he didn’t make the Probowl (seriously, shame on you people.) the game it’s self is all the hype I need. I will admit though, it’s compelling that the Green Bay Defenses injury of Kevin Kolb that heralded Michael Vick’s rebirth now has opportunity to end it (once and for all!) but back to the game that I said didn’t need hyping. You have arguably one of the most explosive offenses in the league versus one of the best defenses in the league, you have a budding elite level quarterback in Rodgers that no one is hotter then right now going against a suspect at best defense. There’s a slight chance you might remember Rodgers’ under the radar first playoff performance where he threw for five touchdowns, so here is season began with this match up and it will end for one with the match up. Vick sat out the last game of the season with a thigh bruise but has seemed to have slowed down the passed few weeks so either his bruise has been lingering or he can’t sustain the High level of play he used to even if he missed a quarter of the season it’s important to keep in mind Vick is 30 and unlike other top level quarterbacks Vicks game is predicated on being a running back who can throw. All in all I don’t think the Eagles defense can stop the Packers at all even if the Eagles are effective eventually the offense will stall a few times and that will be the difference. As I like to say, you can't win kicking threes.

New York Jets at the Indianapolis Colts

Who doesn’t like Rex Ryan? He’s funny, Gives great sound bites, his team would follow him to hell and back, he assembled what on paper seems to be a all-star roster of talent all while seemingly having a great time doing what he loves. Who doesn’t love Rex Ryan? Everyone in the A.F.C. that has a good team that has to deal with Ryan’s constant trash talk that he cant back up. It’s at a fever pitch with all Colts fans because unlike the other major rivalry the Jets have with the Patriots a Ryan led team hasn’t beaten Indy. Technically, sure they beat Indy last year in the regular season but guess what, this Saturday Curtis Painter isn’t walking through that door and Ryan knows he’s never truly beaten the Colts. Yet he continues this bolstering which at this point I like all Colts fans revel in, what you have to do is just let him keep digging his grave with his words at the end of the night no on in Indianapolis fears this Jets team. Since this is the match up that is nearest and dearest to my heart I’m going to go long form and break-it-down piece by piece.

The Colts offense vs. the Jets defense

In the offseason the Jets drafted Kyle Wilson and acquired Antonio Cromartie, not to double the states population with his children but to “beat the colts in the playoffs” unfortunately for the Jets they lost their Defensive captain Jim Leonard and nose tackle Cris Jenkins which has noticeable dulled the defense where as last year they were a force with the best defense in the league this year they’re not even the best defense in new jersey. But to be fair they’re not facing the same Colts offense. Decimated by injury the Colts saw a mid season swoon where they lost four of five and Manning played the worst series of games of his career forcing balls and making poor throw that ended in interceptions a few of which for touchdowns. (one of which, was a great throw that the dirty cheating Chargers pass interfered and tackled Reggie Wayne) that mid season swoon was largely caused by key injuries down to practice squad running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers. The Colts got their running backs healthy, got their tight ends healthy, and Manning got in to a rhythm with Blair White that makes him look like Wes Welker. Beyond that the Colts running game got a shot in the arm when they resigned Superbowl hero Dom Rhodes and over the last 3 games are averaging 150 yards per game when combining that with the eighteen no defense can hope to contain them.

Jets offense vs. the Colts defense

I wish I were more eloquent and could be less harsh but Mark Sanchez sucks, sure not P.C. and I’m sure I could find a more tactful way to say it but I’m the words of Chris Carter “c’mon, man” he is terrible and the play calling is worst Brian Schottenheimer may be one of the worst play callers in the league. Talent though they do have L.T. is looking every bit as good as L.T. ever has, they have a good two punch in Green and a solid deep threat in Edwards and really Sanchez’s saving grace has been Superbowl M.V.P. Santonio Holmes on more then two occasions this year I’ve seen him turn sure Sanchez interceptions in to seventy yard touchdowns breaking four tackles on the way. The unfortunate thing for the Jets is the colts have been good in pass coverage all year, Freeny and Mathis are leading in sacks and strips again, and as the Colts got healthy they started gelling in their on defensive weak point, stopping the run was tested each of the last three weeks when they saw Three of the five Leading rushers in the NFL and held all three teams not the running backs mind you but the teams to an average of 66 total rushing yards. L.T. and Shonn Green aren’t even close to being leading running backs in the NFL right now and keeping the ball in Mark Sanchez’s hand is the most entertaining thing I can think of this week. If I wasn’t clear this is a check for the Colts too.

Special teams

I wish we could get the clean sweep but it’s just not the case we did get as healthy as we will on offense and defense but we still have seventeen on I.R. and the thing that’s going to take a hit the most is special teams most times. The return game has certainly gotten a boost with Dom Rhodes returning kickoffs but he is no brad smith not even close. With the lack of injury and overall depth the Jets have they’re just flat out better on kick coverage too. The one slight edge the Colts have is the Superbowl horse shoes him self Adam Vinatieri guys been nearly perfect all year missing only on a blocked kick Nick Folk he… he just isn’t very good and point will be at a premium in this game.

Over all easy Colts win and that will send then to take out the trash in Pittsburgh and shut Dave Damesheks Mouth.

So that’s that. I got the Saints, Packers, Ravens, and Colts moving on. Which will set up Saints at Bears, Packers at Falcons, Ravens at Patriots, and Colts at Steelers a Great slate of games for Divisional weekend and the easiest and most gratifying road to Indy going back to the Superbowl.

Weekly Spotlight : Raiders at Steelers

Weekly Spotlight

The Raiders Offense Vs The Steelers Defense

Joe Maass: The Raiders offense normally wouldn’t match up but with Jason Campbell playing well the past few weeks it really opens up what the Raiders can do. Luis Murphy should be back and Jacoby Ford blew up before the bye. They also have a great running game led by Darren McFadden. Teams have been moving the ball very well through the air on the Steelers in recent weeks but Jason Campbell isn’t Drew Brees or Tom Brady. The Steelers have some playmakers on defense and when Troy Polamalu gets going he can disrupt any game plan.

Dr Jamez: Jason Campbell isn’t Drew Brees or Tom Brady?! Since when?!

The Raiders Defense Vs The Steelers Offense

Dr. Jamez: The Raiders defense hasn’t been the problem the passed few years. Nnamdi Asomugha will lead a stacked defensive back corps that should have no problem man covering Pittsburgh’s lack luster wide receivers which will easily allow the Raiders to stop Rashard Mendenhall and let Richard Seymour be in Roethlisberger’s stupid sexual assault face all day.

Joe Maass: I’m really not sure how they get a play call in with Ben smelling so bad….


Special Teams

Dr. Jamez: The Steelers had trouble with special team last year, they’ve gotten a bit better in kick and punt coverage but with all the injuries you’re likely to see that decline again. Also this week the Steelers let veteran kicker Jeff Reed take his wife beating duties full time and signed Shaun Suisham who you’ll remember from Washington as the worst kicker ever.

Joe Maass: Jacoby Ford is a weapon in the return game and was able to score in the Raiders last game, he could be a factor.

The Bottom Line

Joe Maass: The deck does look stacked in the Raiders favor but they are still lining up vs. a very good Steelers football team. It’s clear the injuries along both lines are taking their toll on the Steelers and I think that will continue this week when the Raiders win.

Dr Jamez: I’m surprised anyone is picking the Steelers to win this game. The Raiders are hot right now and coming off a bye I think without those factors normally you could make the case that the Steelers are the better team but with so many question marks I can’t see how Pittsburgh can make it out alive.

Injury Woes: Week 11

Injury Woes: Week 11
Dr. Jamez

The theme of the Colts 2011 season has been “no, no not him too” injuries clearly casting a dark shadow over what was believed to be the team to beat in the AFC this season. Going in to this week’s grudge match with The Patriots who are tied with the conference leading Jets at 7-2 the injury report is as full as ever. The Colts gave their early week list of players that would certainly miss the following week’s game and Colts fans were given a ray of hope in that the only player ruled out for the week was Bob Sanders. However, that ray of hope was diminished greatly when Wednesday the Colts posted the first injury report of the week with every player that missed The Bengals game (Bracket, Session, Tyron, Addai, Hart) missing practice with the exception of Blair White and Austen Collie who were limited with a new addition, Reggie Wayne.

Something more concerning about the report is comments made by Colts President Bill Polian earlier in the week. The verbiage is

An excerpt from Bill Polian’s weekly column

Q: How good are the Patriots?
A: Very good, and most importantly, this game will not decide anything. There is a long way to go in this season. The winner of this game is not guaranteed to go to the Super Bowl, and the loser is not guaranteed to miss the playoffs. It's one game and it's interesting and exciting, but it's only one game with seven to go.


The verbiage is what is important here, if you follow the Colts you’ll remember Polian used similar comments when being asked about the Jets game in which Indianapolis was 14-0 with two games left to complete an undefeated season in 2010. Because the Colts have a full game lead in the division with three divisional games to play two being at home it seems that the staff is likely to keep out the key players for the extra rest because they will most likely win the division so they are guaranteed one home game and aren’t the one seed so will most likely have at least one road game so the feeling is losing to the Patriots who are a wild card team doesn’t actually mean anything in the grand scheme of things. If you’re a rabid Colts fan like Dr. Jamez it’s just a major bummer. I’m going to remain cautiously optimistic though and hope the skill players do come back and save the day. GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weekly Recap:Bengals at Colts

Weekly Recap
Bengals at Colts
Dr. Jamez

It’s sad but true the Colts team that’s taking the field as of right now is not a complete team. Riddled with injuries and more piling up seemingly each week the Colts went in to the Bengals game expecting to not have Austen Collie, Blair White, Joe Addai, Mike Hart, and Brody Eldridge on offense. What wasn’t expected was not having defensive captain Gary Bracket or Clint Session. At game time everyone was left dumbfounded to find Pat Angerer, Phillip wheeler, and Tyjuan Hagler would be Indianapolis’ starting linebackers. Needless to say at kickoff Colts nation was sweating.

The Colts did jump out to a 17-0 lead with to two interceptions one for a touchdown but for anyone who knows Colts football it felt like Indianapolis was losing the whole time. The offense couldn’t run, couldn’t pass, and couldn’t convert third downs. This game was Indianapolis’ season high for punting. Manning was unable to score a passing touchdown for the second time this season, both during the major string of injuries that have recently plagued the team.

The defense did look shockingly good in the beginning of the game that’s more an indictment on Carson Palmer then anything else. Chad Johnson played like a man possessed trying to get back to the high level of production he and the NFL expect from him. T.O. looked to be every bit the perennial Probowler and future hall of famer he is. Ultimately there is almost no way to win a game with five turnovers especially against a team as well coached as the Colts so the Colts would inch by with a 17-23 final score.

What I take away from this game honestly isn’t a good feeling about our teams never say die attitude and “next man up” philosophy it’s a feeling of doom going in to a two game stretch with hated rivals New England and San Diego. The Idea That Indianapolis would cause five turnovers and one not score over 35 but two not score a passing touchdown shows just how crippled the team had become. I’m truly hoping and praying we can get a large majority of our starters back for this New England game.

AFC Player of the Week: Week 11

AFC Player of the Week: Week 11
Dr. Jamez

Offense: Kyle Otron, 296 yards, Four Touchdowns, no interceptions, rating of 131

As is most cases in a blow out both quarterbacks had ridiculous numbers but Orton with a 49-29 victory had the legit stats. Orton looked great and was putting the ball in places only his receivers could get it.


Defense: Kelvin Hayden, nine tackles, one interception, one touchdown.

The rule this year for Hayden has been you catch it, you score. This week it was vital to the win with an ailing offense the Colts needed a full team effort and that’s what they got from the all star corner back.

Week 11 Power Rankings

Week 11 Power Rankings

1. Jets- Tied for best record in the league and have a blow out win over the team they’re tied with. –Dr. Jamez

2. Falcons- I love me some Matty Ice. –Dr. Jamez

3. Packers- A blowout and a bye helped them sneak to 3rd. –Dr. Jamez

4. Giants- This team is eerily similar to the 2007 team. –Dr. Jamez

5. Ravens- Tough loss but still second in the conference. –Dr. Jamez

6. Colts- The teams too injured to be consider a contender right now but if they get healthy at
the time they’re planning too they could make a run of it. –Dr. Jamez

7. Steelers- The defense can stop the run but that’s only going to help versus the Jets any other team they play in the playoffs will have a quarterback that will dissect them. –Dr. Jamez

8. Patriots- Decent road win. –Dr. Jamez

9. Titans- So they added Randy Moss and got worst…….?–Dr. Jamez

10. Eagles- Making moves to try to take the east, two big divisional matches in a row could
change the landscape of the NFC. –Dr. Jamez

11. Raiders- What the hell is going on in the west? –Dr. Jamez

12. Dolphins- They got a big win but at what cost? –Dr. Jamez

13. Chiefs- WHAT the hell is going on in the west? –Dr. Jamez

14. Bucs- I just cant imagine them breaking out of the middle of the pack based on beating up
the Panthers. –Dr. Jamez

15. Bears- I’m not impressed with your performance–Dr. Jamez

16. Texans- oh there they are, 4-5–Dr. Jamez

17. Browns- Going toe to toe with every good team in the league now that the Colt McCoy era
has begun. –Dr. Jamez

18. Jaguars- You can only have so many miracle wins in a season. –Dr. Jamez

19. Lions- On the decline with Stafford out again, most likely for the season. –Dr. Jamez

20. Seahawks- The NFC west is so irrelevant, they should have to surrender their playoff spot
to the east. –Dr. Jamez

21. Saints- I guess they’re a wild card…..–Dr. Jamez

22. Rams- Could make the playoffs with a losing record. –Dr. Jamez

23. Redskins- McNabb has been playing very poorly he needs to get it going if they want to stay
contenders in the east. –Dr. Jamez

24. 49ers- Could still win the west too, I will say Troy Smith seems to be the spark they
needed–Dr. Jamez

25. Bengals- There’s no way to win with 5 turnovers all the talent in the world except at quarterback. –Dr. Jamez

26. Broncos- Everyone in the west hates each other makes it fund to watch. –Dr. Jamez

27. Vikings- The Brett Favre farewell tour–Dr. Jamez

28. Chargers- Not very good. –Dr. Jamez

29. Cardinals- There’s only so many things you can comment on a crappy team and it’s a long
season…..–Dr. Jamez

30. Cowboys- This week was just a death rattle still garbage. –Dr. Jamez

31. Panthers- weren’t good with their starting quarterback, not good with the rookie one either.
–Dr. Jamez

32. Bills- ARE FINALLY ON THE BOARD!!!! –Dr. Jamez