Heartbreak for Colts: The Good, Bad & Ugly

Another snowstorm is set to hit Indianapolis tomorrow, and city officials had been concerned it might affect the putative Super Bowl celebratory parade through downtown; this is no longer an issue.

The parade will instead be in New Orleans, even as their city had actually planned one win or lose.

Last night’s game in Miami Gardens was a grave disappointment for the Circle City, and a shocking end to a season that saw central Indiana’s team, a la New England in 2007, go undefeated (in games they actually tried to win), yet fail on the world’s biggest football stage.

There was the good, the bad and the ugly from this game.

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Heartbreak for Colts & Fans

Outcoached, outplayed.

They got what they deserved.

Wayne had an awful game, and Peyton made one bad throw.

In the end, the Colts were done in by all the problems they’ve had all year:

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Super Bowl XLIV Preview: Initial Analysis Gives Indianapolis Upper Hand On New Orleans

I feel the need to preface this short column by noting that, though I live in Indianapolis, the Denver Broncos are my favorite team, and have been for a quarter-century.

Therefore, while I do support the Colts, I’ve only resided here four years, and neither bias nor subjectivity should be taken into account with any of my information or predictions about the Colts. In fact, I have been as honest and critical as anyone in this city toward the home team over the past month.

That said, I picked the Colts to easily beat the Ravens and Jets the past two weekends (almost on the numbers), and was correct. I will do the same for the February 7 game in Miami for similar reasons: the Colts are just a better team than the Saints right now.

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Onus on Sanchez and Jets, Not Colts, to Prove They Belong on Sunday

I’m not going to get cliché like the preview shows and talk about the obligatory “keys to the game,” but will say that the overall onus Sunday afternoon is on the Jets.

As the prohibitive favorite who’s undefeated in games their starters finish, Indy has nothing to prove; the Jets do.

Mark Sanchez must be better than he was in San Diego; the Jet running game must be just as good, as must the defense be, especially in pass coverage, where the Jets do excel.

On that topic, while Peyton Manning just needs to be himself, Reggie Wayne, who will be covered by Darrelle Revis, needs to have at least four or five catches, while Austin Collie must perform strongly, and Pierre Garcon especially must be better than he was against the Ravens. Revis shuts everyone down (Ochocinco, Johnson, Moss twice), and he likely will Wayne too.

Many local columnists here feel the Colts may get their “comeuppance” versus the Jets after the home team allowed New York into the postseason when starters were pulled on December 27th. But clearly the Jets belong in the postseason tournament, that game notwithstanding.

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The Colts’ Self-Inflicted PR Problem

So I am walking around every corner of downtown the past four hours, doing tours, meetings, getting lunch, observing, chatting with football fans, etc, and all I see are Ravens fans.

AirTran added 3 extra flights from Baltimore yesterday to accommodate demand. Many are quite pleased to get “inexpensive seats.”

Realize Baltimore has a VERY small fan-base, and the Colts have every game sold out.

Therefore what happened?

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“Chase statistics, yes. Chase immortality, no. Color me confused.”

Well said, by Bob Kravitz in the Indianapolis Star:

“ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — It was dumb and it was disgraceful, maybe as bad, if not worse, than the previous week’s surrender against the New York Jets.

One week earlier, the Indianapolis Colts couldn’t be bothered to pursue one of the most hallowed marks in sports history, a perfect season, something accomplished exactly once, by the 1972 Miami Dolphins. But Sunday, here in suburban Siberia, the Colts played their stars for three full series in a hypocritical effort to get Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark to 100 receptions.

Explain this to me again:

A perfect season, which has been accomplished just once in NFL history, wasn’t important, but 100 catches, accomplished numerous times by numerous receivers, that goal mattered?

Chase statistics, yes. Chase immortality, no. Color me confused.

Not to mention dubious, especially as the Colts insisted after the game that the numbers weren’t on their radar.”

Monday Night Football Preview: Vikings-Bears Spread, Analysis, and Pick

Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Pulled Pork Stew

Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse

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Monday Night Football Preview

Minnesota Vikings (11-3) at Chicago Bears (5-9)

• Vikings-Bears Date: Monday, December 28
• Vikings-Bears Kickoff Time: 8:30
• Vikings-Bears TV Network: ESPN
• Vikings-Bears Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Vikings-Bears Point Spread: Vikings -7
• Vikings-Bears Over-Under Odds: 41
• Vikings-Bears Spread Pick: Boy, this is a tough one. The Vikings are clearly the superior team based on their body of work this season, but the truth is that these two teams may actually be playing the worst football in the NFL over the last two weeks. That said, I don’t see the Bears winning this game, but I do think that they will play hard despite their season being over. It is one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL, the Bears are at home, and it will no doubt be frigid. Brett Favre is not the cold weather QB that he once was. Vikings win, but Bears cover. Vikings-Bears free pick: Bears +7

Vikings-Bears Analysis

Much has been made about Jay Cutler’s abundant failure as Chicago’s starting quarterback this year.
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MNF Preview: Redskins-Giants Spread, Analysis, and Pick

Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Sadler’s Smokehouse Pulled Pork Asian Wraps

Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse

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Monday Night Football Preview

New York Giants (7-6) at Washington Redskins (4-9)

• Giants-Redskins Date: Monday, December 21
• Giants-Redskins Kickoff Time: 8:30
• Giants-Redskins TV Network: ESPN
• Giants-Redskins Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Giants-Redskins Point Spread: Giants -3
• Giants-Redskins Over-Under Odds: 43
• Giants-Redskins Spread Pick: Boy oh boy, it is hard for me to justify taking the Giants minus 3 here. New York hasn’t been able to stop anyone through the air, and the Redskins suddenly have a potent passing game. Obviously the Giants need this game more, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the Redskins are going to revel playing the underdog role, and are going to be successful doing so at home. Giants-Redskins free pick: Redskins +3

Giants-Redskins Analysis

If Cowboy fans think they’re team is desperate for a big win, they can look to New York for “empathy.” Few teams have been as porous as the Giants the past two months. Once 5-0 and benefiting from a weak schedule, they’ve gone 2-6 since, and now find themselves clinging to the final playoff spot alongside Dallas, Atlanta and San Francisco.

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Thursday Night Football Preview: Colts-Jaguars Spread, Analysis, and Pick

Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF and Thursday Night Football coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Turkey Chili

Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse

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Thursday Night Football Preview

Indianapolis Colts (13-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (7-6)

• Colts-Jaguars Date: Thursday, December 17
• Colts-Jaguars Kickoff Time: 8:20
• Colts-Jaguars TV Network: NFLN
• Colts-Jaguars Announcers: Bob Papa and Matt Millen
• Colts-Jaguars Point Spread: Colts -3
• Colts-Jaguars Over-Under Odds: 42.5
• Colts-Jaguars Spread Pick by Jerod: This is a very difficult game to handicap without knowing exactly what the Colts will do with their starters. From all of the reports I’ve read this week, it sounds like the starters will play as normal this week. Regardless, I like the Jags to at least cover, and possibly win, this game. Jacksonville always plays Indianapolis tough and clearly is the team with more riding on this game. Indy is obviously a better team, and would demolish Jacksonville if this were the playoffs, but the Jags have always proven to be a tough regular season foe and the Colts will undoubtedly be in for a Thursday night road dogfight. Colts-Jaguars free pick: Jaguars +3

Colts-Jaguars Analysis

I attended the Colts record-breaking win over Brandon Marshall and Denver this past Sunday. And while Indy is still 13-0 and getting little respect from the media as compared to New Orleans, Minnesota, Arizona, San Diego and even New England, the Colts looked suspect for over half of their 28-16 win versus the 8-5 Broncos.

Blitzed most of the day, and hurrying passes (three of them picked), Peyton Manning looked flustered at times, but as the AP game recap noted, “he demonstrated how an undefeated team survives the perfect storm.” Though the Broncos missed all kinds of scoring opportunities, and arguably outplayed Indianapolis, the Colts have prevailed in these kinds of situations/games week after week this season (and last), which is the mark of a great team.

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MNF Preview: Cardinals-49ers Spread, Analysis, and Pick

Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Pulled Pork Stew

Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse

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Monday Night Football Preview

Arizona Cardinals (8-4) at San Francisco 49ers (5-7)

• Cardinals-49ers Date: Monday, December 13
• Cardinals-49ers Kickoff Time: 8:30
• Cardinals-49ers TV Network: ESPN
• Cardinals-49ers Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Cardinals-49ers Point Spread: Cardinals -3
• Cardinals-49ers Over-Under Odds: 44.5
• Cardinals-49ers Spread Pick by Jerod (from Monday): Tough game to predict. The 49ers beat Arizona in Arizona earlier this year and now get them at home. The Cardinals have always been a poor road team, but have somehow reversed that this year to become a very good team away from home. Oh, and Arizona absolutely destroyed the Vikings in Week 13. I’m going with Arizona because they are just so good through the air and the 49ers are not great at defending the pass. Cardinals-49ers free pick: Cardinals -3

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Cardinals-49ers Analysis

In the whimsical world of media overreaction, the Arizona Cardinals are the NFL’s flavor of the week. Aside from the Colts and Saints, no team is receiving more love than Arizona right now, after the Cards’ blasting of the erstwhile one loss Vikings last Sunday night on national TV.

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Monday Night Football: Ravens-Packers Spread, Analysis, and Pick

Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Shaved Pork Quesadillas

Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse

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Monday Night Football Preview

Baltimore Ravens (6-5) at Green Bay Packers (7-4)

• Ravens-Packers Date: Monday, December 7
• Ravens-Packers Kickoff Time: 8:30
• Ravens-Packers TV Network: NBC
• Ravens-Packers Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Ravens-Packers Point Spread: Packers -3
• Ravens-Packers Over-Under: 43.5
• Ravens-Packers Spread Pick by Jerod: Tricky spread here. My first instinct is to say Green Bay — and I do think they will win — but the more I think about it, the more I think Baltimore will keep this one close. And why not, they keep every game close. The Ravens will be able to pressure Aaron Rodgers, but I do think that he’ll be able to find some big plays against the Ravens’ secondary. Ray Rice will keep the Ravens in it, but Mason Crosby at home gets the edge over Billy Cundiff on the road in the battle of the kickers. So Green Bay wins the game, but the Ravens make it an exciting one. Ravens-Packers free pick: Ravens +3

MNF: Ravens-Packers Analysis

One can only marvel at Charles Woodson’s career journey.

After seven injury plagued seasons in Oakland, Woodson rightfully earned the reputation of a “bust.” The Packers were even widely criticized for offering him a whopping seven-year, $52 million dollar contract before the 2006 season, and the consensus throughout the league was that Woodson wouldn’t even make it through half of that contract.

It’s therefore amazing what a difference a mere four years can make.

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Butler Disappoints, But It’s Still Early

The Butler Bulldogs, ranked in the preseason top 25 for the first time in school history to open the 2009-2010 season (#10 in last week’s ESPN/USA Today, #1 in last week’s mid-major top 25), and a trendy pick, especially locally, to make the Final Four in their hometown this spring, have underperformed in November.

This has cost them dearly in the polls, where they’ve dropped all the way to 20 or 23, depending upon the outlet of your choice, as of today (November 30).

I watched all three late-night games in Thanksgiving Weekend’s 76 Classic before sparse crowds at the old Anaheim Convention Center, and the Bulldogs missed golden opportunities to improve their NCAA seeding come March. Yes, when you’re a mid major (silly term for teams that schedule like Butler , Gonzaga, Davidson, etc), November and December have far more effect upon your fate on Selection Sunday than conference play.

Butler coach Brad Stevens scheduled a brutal non-conference slate (Davidson, Northwestern, Minnesota, UCLA, Clemson, Georgetown, Ohio State, Xavier, UAB), and so far, it’s backfired.

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MNF Preview: Patriots-Saints Spread, Analysis, and Pick

Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Beef Brisket and Bow-Tie Pasta

Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse

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Monday Night Football Preview

New England Patriots (7-3) at New Orleans Saints (10-0)

• Patriots-Saints Date: Monday, November 30th
• Patriots-Saints Kickoff Time: 8:30
• Patriots-Saints TV Network: ESPN
• Patriots-Saints Announcers: Mike Tirio, Jon Gruden, and Ron Jaworski
• Patriots-Saints Point Spread: Saints -3
• Patriots-Saints Over-Under: 56
• Patriots-Saints Spread Pick by Jerod: This game will definitely push the 56-point line and be very similar to the Week 10 matchup between the Patriots and Colts. Because the Saints are at home, I like them to win this game. But this is still a Saints team that we haven’t seen win big games yet. The Patriots are a team that we’ve seen do it time and time again, even with the loss to the Colts. When it gets right down to it, it’s really hard to pick the Saints when Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are standing on the other sideline. The Patriots failed to end the Colts’ undefeated start, but I don’t think they fail this time. Patriots-Saints free pick: Patriots +3

Saints-Patriots Analysis

ESPN (and most of the media) is treating this game like it’s the Super Bowl, and for obvious reasons: these teams are a combined 17-3, New Orleans is living in perpetual post-Katrina adoration, and therefore a great story, and New England is New England. To me, as a historian, I like the British vs. French angle of these two cities/regions, but nonetheless, there are tons of real storylines.

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Thanksgiving Night Preview: Giants-Broncos Spread, Analysis, and Pick

Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly NFL coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Turkey Chili

Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse

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Thanksgiving Night Football Preview

New York Giants (6-4) at Denver Broncos (6-4)

New York Giants at Denver Broncos

• Giants-Broncos Date: Thanksgiving Night, Thursday, November 26th
• Giants-Broncos Kickoff Time: 8:20
• Giants-Broncos TV Network: NFLN
• Giants-Broncos Announcers: Bob Papa and Matt Millen
• Giants-Broncos Point Spread: Giants -6.5
• Giants-Broncos Over-Under: 42
• Giants-Broncos Spread Pick by Jerod: Denver is really playing poorly right now. The Giants haven’t been all that great themselves, but they are scoring points. I don’t think Denver will be able to contain Eli Manning and the Giants, and I don’t think the Broncos have any kind of rhythm on offense right now. Even though this game is at home for Denver, I think their precipitous slide continues. Giants-Broncos free pick: Giants -6.5

Giants-Broncos Analysis

I was in Denver to watch the debacle against a suddenly-cocky San Diego team, and Bronco fans are incensed; the team is simply desperate, having lost four consecutive after opening the campaign with a startling six triumphs in a row. Mix in any other clichés, but one wonders, historically, do desperate teams usually prevail or continue their free-falls?

New York needs wins, but their victory over Atlanta — which broke their own four game slide — helped make Thursday night slightly less urgent for the Giants.

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Monday Night Football Preview: Titans-Texans Spread, Analysis, Pick

Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Shaved Pork Loin Pockets

Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse

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Monday Night Football Preview

Tennessee Titans (3-6) at Houston Texans (5-4)

• Titans-Texans Date: Monday, November 23rd
• Titans-Texans Kickoff Time: 8:30
• Titans-Texans TV Network: ESPN
• Titans-Texans Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Titans-Texans Point Spread: Texans -4.5
• Titans-Texans Over-Under: 48
• Titans-Texans Spread Pick by Jerod: A few weeks ago this did not look like such a fun game. Now that Houston is a game out of the AFC Wild Card, and Vince Young has made the Titans competitive again, this should be a really entertaining game. First bit of advice: take the over. You’ve got Chris Johnson on the same field as Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. There will be scoring. I don’t think Tennessee is a world beater by any means, but this is still a team that went 13-3 last year and that is playing much better now with Vince Young at QB. And do you really trust Houston yet? I don’t. Titans-Texans free pick: Titans +4.5

Titans-Texans Analysis

After the Titans fell to 0-6, like many football fans, I let out a sigh and lamented, “How could it have gone so wrong, so quickly?”

Three wins later, the answer to what was wrong appears to have been Kerry Collins. During the Titans six-game losing streak, their fans were quick to excuse Collins’ consistently putrid performances as a function of the team’s “lack of weapons.”

With Vince Young now behind the helm however, this “weaponless” offense has begun to produce.

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