NFL Preview: Colts Can Dismantle Patriots’ Defense

Bill Belichick is hungry for revenge after last year’s devastating loss to the Colts. Don’t expect Peyton Manning to show any mercy in what should be a shootout at Gillette Stadium.

Brady can only do so much
Tom Brady has performed a few miracles to get the Patriots to 7-2 as we enter Week 11. While the quarterback has got some help from the New England special teams, he’s had plenty of reasons to get in his team-mates faces this year. While Brady keeps on delivering, the Patriots’ defense just isn’t making enough plays to make New England look like serious Super Bowl contenders. The Patriots are giving up 390.8 yards of offense per game and allowing their opponents to convert on 47.5 percent of third downs.

That’s the kind of inefficiency that Peyton Manning was born to exploit. The Indianapolis quarterback has been forced to work with a limited arsenal in 2010 as injuries have plagued the Colts’ at skill positions. Despite working with so few of his favorite weapons, Manning has continued to dominate opponents and will relish facing New England in third down situations. I expect this game to become a shootout with the team that makes the fewest errors coming out on top. It’s hard to see New England fitting that bill. Bet on the Indianapolis Colts as +3.0 underdogs with Sports Interaction.

Jets can win ugly
The sign of a true contender is when a team can win despite playing badly. There are already a few such examples on the 2010 Jets’ resume. Most recently was the narrow escape at Cleveland last Sunday. Now it’s time for New York’s finest to take on a different kind of challenge. Houston are in desperation mode, at 4-5 with their playoff hopes fading fast. Only a win will do for the Texans and I expect them to throw caution to the wind with their offense on Sunday. The last thing New York should do is try to respond in kind.

This game will be a tale of two defenses. One is a unit that can save the Jets even on one of Mark Sanchez’ worst days. The other is an athletically gifted group that has let down Matt Schaub and the potent Texans’ offense all year long. It’s that latter group that should cost Houston the game. The Jets will be able to do enough to contain Houston’s electric offense while exploiting the gaps in the Texans’ defense. This could be the game that ultimately spells the end of the Gary Kubiak era. More importantly for NFL betting fans, it should see the Jets move to 8-2. Bet on the New York Jets as -7.0 favorites with Sports Interaction.