hypo-'77 Colts@Broncos AFCC

[74_75_78_79_]

We all know that Week #11 in the regular season, Denver beat the Colts, 27-13 (should have been 28-13, Den missed PAT in the end). It was actually a battle of 9-1 teams! I would guess had Balt won that 2OT divisional a week earlier, Denver wins again vs them in the AFCC. Likely less close than the actual 20-17 one which Oak played in even if it being a 7-pt Denver win instead. Colts did actually have more than double the 1st downs over Denver (23-11) in that regular season game, Bert Jones throwing 3 INTs didn't help. Balt, however, overcame an early 14-0 deficit to make it just 14-13 at end of 3rd Q. Anyone here think Colts give Denver a better game in a possible rematch or even...pull off the victory? Like the Raiders, I think the Colts would have given Dallas a better game as well had they met in SBXII. After all, the league slated them vs each other in next year's opening MNF affair but of course to no avail (Dal 38, Colts 0). That 2OT classic was ,of course, the last breath of competitive Colts football while still in Baltimore.

[Jay Z]

The Colts' defense always bordered on mediocrity, and they specialized in something I don't typically value in the post season - rushing the passer.

In this case it's true that their strength would match the Broncos' weakness, as Denver was unusually bad at giving up sacks for a playoff team. As showed in SBXII.

On the other hand, unless it's a 10 sack obliteration, I think it's not enough for Baltimore. Baltimore can't get that many sacks if Denver isn't passing. Denver isn't going to be passing a lot if they're not behind.

So the most likely scenario is a close to scoreless game until Morton hits a couple of big pass plays. Then the Broncos are not headed after that.

[Jay Z]

I will also point out that the Colts came in the midst of a very unsuccessful playoff period for the AFC East. Only one win from 1974-81, and that came when two AFC East teams played each other!

[BD Sullivan]

While the Colts obviously took the Raiders to the limit, they staggered down the stretch. They had lost three in a row and only a quick whistle against NE in the regular season finale likely saved them from a choke for the ages.