The NFL MVP was just that yesterday -- common. Manning, (27 of 42, 238 yards, 1 interception) was unable to lead his vaunted offense to the end zone, and his longest completion was 18 yards.
The Patriots, who were without Pro Bowl defenders Ty Law and Richard Seymour, played it the way some experts thought they would -- jamming receivers at the line, rushing three, occasionally sending a blitzing linebacker to knock Manning off his rhythm, and covering well. They never allowed the Colt receivers to get free downfield. They disguised their defense by sometimes dropping eight men in coverage and sometimes going with as few as four defensive backs.
The Colts coaching staff had no answer.
It also had no answer to the steady snow that fell throughout the game accompanied by a swirling wind.
The Patriots also adopted another much talked about suggestion -- they controlled the clock for 37:43 with three massive scoring drives of 16, 15, and 14 plays which ate up 24:47. Two of the lengthy drives came in the second half when the Patriots completely took over.
Corey Dillon carried 23 times for 144 yards, while Tom Brady played a mistake-free game, completing 18 of 27 passes for 144 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
The Patriots seemed buoyed by Mike Vanderjagt's "ripe for the picking" comment earlier in the week. They were buoyed by the media members who dismissed their chances of stopping the Colts.
"I guess the panel of experts were wrong, huh?" said Matt Light, who shrugged off an early illegal motion penalty on a fourth and goal at the 1-yard line, which nullified a Corey Dillon touchdown and ultimately cost the Patriots 4 points after they settled for Adam Vinatieri's 24-yard field goal.
"Nobody picked us to win," said Patriots receiver/defensive back/punt returner Troy Brown, who said he was so tired at one point he could feel his hamstrings pop. "There was no pressure on us. We just went out and played. People just refuse to give us any credit. That's fine. That's how we like it."
