Colts vs. Patriots

This might be an interesting game, don't you think? Obviously, the NFL is living right when it gets Colts-Pats and Saints-Bears for the league championship games. Colts-Pats is as good a rivalry as there is in the game right now, although it's been one-sided in the Pats' favor in the playoffs. The Saints are the feel-good story of the year. The Bears just keeping winning, pretty or not, and usually not.

What makes this Colts-Pats game decidedly different than past ones is that it's more about the teams, and less about Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady. Yes, that quarterback subplot will rear its head. I'm sure I'll write about it before week's end. But the Colts are here because they won when Manning wasn't dominant -- twice. Brady had some heroics at the end of the win over the Chargers, but he also threw three picks. Something tells me both QBs will make some plays this Sunday.

The Colts are sporting the right attitude at the right time. They quieted the Ravens, and went about their business with defense and energy. Plus, they have Adam Vinatieri. He seemed unusually rattled when he returned to New England in November. That might prove to be a blessing. He's already faced his old team. That "first time" as a Colt vs. the Patriots is past. Something tells me if this game comes down to a field goal, and it might, Vinatieri won't push it wide right.