(Sports Network) – For the first time in almost 14 years, the Indianapolis
Colts will play a meaningful game without Peyton Manning under center.

Though they probably would have liked the test, the revamped Houston Texans
won’t mind the four-time league MVP staying on the sidelines considering they
could be without last year’s leading rusher.

Hoping to begin a march towards an NFL-record 10th straight playoff
appearances, the Colts open up their season at Reliant Stadium for the second
straight year on Sunday, but will be without their biggest offensive weapon.

Manning has been under center for Indianapolis for every game since the
franchise selected him with the first pick of the 1998 draft. His 208 straight
starts in the regular season is the longest by any player to begin a career in
NFL history.

The 10-time Pro Bowl selection and former Super Bowl MVP will be unable to go
in the opener though as he continues to slowly recover from offseason neck
surgery. Manning did not play at all in the preseason, but was activated from
the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 29. The Colts said he
experienced soreness in his back last weekend, and he was forced to miss
practice after the soreness persisted.

A disappointed Manning said in a statement released by the team that “I am
simply not healthy enough to play, and I am doing everything I can to get my
health back.”

Manning has not played since Indianapolis’ 17-16 setback to the Jets on Jan. 9
in the opening round of the playoffs and will be replaced by 16-year veteran
Kerry Collins, who retired on July 7 after playing in 195 career games, but
was coaxed back by the Colts in late August to serve as insurance for Manning.

“I feel comfortable with the offense,” Collins said. “I feel like I’ve come a
long way in the short time since I’ve been here. I’ve really buckled down and
grinded on it. Certainly I’ve got a lot to learn, but as far as my comfort
level it’s pretty high.”

The last player to start a game under center for the Colts other than Manning
is current 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh on Dec. 21, 1997.

The 38-year-old Collins will be trying to get the Colts off to one of their
customary fast starts as they have opened the season with at least seven
straight victories four times since 2005. That does not include last year,
however, when the Texans road a club record-setting performance from running
back Arian Foster to post a 34-24 win at home.

That victory only fueled more thoughts of Houston making the playoffs for the
first time in franchise history given it was coming off a club-record nine-win
season, but the Texans lost eight of their final 10 games and finished just
6-10 on the season.

The NFL’s reigning rushing champion, Foster is also dealing with an injury as
he is day-to-day with a left hamstring injury that was aggravated in a
preseason game on Aug. 20.

“Well, if Arian’s full speed, he can play,” said head coach Gary Kubiak. “We
want him to play. We need to be at our best to win a football game, but at the
same time, we’ve got to listen to what’s going on.”

With quarterback Matt Schaub and wide receiver Andre Johnson in the mix, the
offense should be able to overcome a limited Foster. The defense could also
catch a break on Sunday if Manning can’t play as it makes its regular-season
debut in the 3-4 scheme brought in by new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

Where the players line up isn’t the only new thing on defense. Last year’s
embattled secondary features two big free agent acquisitions in cornerback
Johnathan Joseph and free safety Danieal Manning, while sack machine Mario
Williams will shift from end to outside linebacker in the new look.

The Texans are 4-5 all-time in season openers and haven’t won back-to-back
Week 1 games since 2002-03, while the Colts have captured 10 of their last 15
season openers.

SERIES HISTORY

Indianapolis has dominated the all-time series with Houston, having emerged
victorious in 16 of the 18 games played between the divisional foes since the
Texas entered the NFL as an expansion franchise in 2002. In addition to its
previously noted win in last year’s season-opener, Houston defeated the Colts
by a 27-24 count at Reliant Stadium in 2006.

Kubiak is 2-8 against the Colts in his career during his tenure as the Texans’
head coach, while Indianapolis’ Jim Caldwell is 3-1 against both Kubiak and
Houston as a head man.

WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL

Prolific offenses are nothing new to Indianapolis, but things could get off to
a different pace this year with Manning (4700 passing yards, 33 TD, 17 INT)
unable to go. Collins (1823 passing yards, 14 TD, 8 INT with Titans) certainly
brings experience to the role, but will need to quickly mesh with the Colts’
receivers. One of those is tight end Dallas Clark (37 receptions, 3 TD), who
missed the final 10 games of the regular season and also the playoffs because
of a wrist injury. The Colts still finished with the top passing offense last
year despite missing Clark and was fourth in points scored. A plethora of
healthy wide receivers contributed to that, including No. 1 Reggie Wayne, who
set career highs with 111 receptions and 1,355 yards. Concussion problems for
Austin Collie (58 receptions, 8 TD) led to more playing time for Pierre Garcon
(67 receptions, 6 TD). Indianapolis’ high-powered passing game and injuries
led to a down season for Joseph Addai (495 rushing). Though talented veteran
center Jeff Saturday remains the offensive line’s anchor, the Texans could
challenge starting left tackle Anthony Castonzo, a rookie out of Boston
College.

Kubiak and Phillips are overhauling a defense that ranked 30th overall in the
league a season ago, including dead-last when defending the pass. The
additions of Joseph (42 tackles, 3 INT with Bengals) and Danieal Manning (72
tackles, 1 INT) should help, especially by adding some experience to the young
secondary. Joseph’s fellow starter at corner is second-year man Kareem Jackson
(71 tackles, 2 INT), while 25-year-old Glover Quinn (85 tackles, 3 INT) begins
his third NFL season by making the shift from corner to safety. Phillips’
defense will also have the advantage of beginning the season with both DeMeco
Ryans and Brian Cushing together on the field. Cushing (76 tackles, 1.5 sacks)
missed the first four games a year ago due to a suspension. Ryans (54 tackles,
1 sack), meanwhile, missed the final 10 games of the season after the former
Defensive Rookie of the Year suffered an Achilles injury. Williams (28
tackles, 8.5 sacks) will now be chasing down quarterbacks from the weak side
next to Ryans, while 2011 first-round pick J.J. Watt draws a start on the
line.

WHEN THE TEXANS HAVE THE BALL

The Texans return most of their core from last year’s explosive offensive team
that finished third overall in 2011. Foster (1,616 rushing yards, 66
receptions, 18 total TD) was the biggest surprise as his league-leading
rushing yard total was the most ever by an undrafted player. The Pro Bowler
will be without his starting full back from last year in Vonta Leach, who left
via free agency, with converted tight end James Casey expected to get the
start. Houston also has one of the top passing duos in Schaub (4370 passing
yards, 24 TD, 12 INT) and Johnson (86 receptions, 1216 yards, 8 TD). With the
Colts likely to focus a lot of energy on the Texas’ top receiver, wideout
Kevin Walter (51 receptions, 5 TD) and tight end Owen Daniels could find room
on the field. Daniels (38 receptions, 2 TD) had a breakout year in 2008, but a
knee injury has slowed him the past two seasons.

Injuries also ravaged the Colts’ defense a year ago and the club parted way
with oft-hurt safety Bob Sanders while also losing linebacker Clint Session
and safeties Aaron Francisco and Ken Hamlin go. They still have a terrorizing
duo to get in the face of Schaub, with defensive ends Dwight Freeney (25
tackles) and Robert Mathis (60 tackles) combining for 21 sacks a season ago.
Still, Indianapolis ranked 20th overall on defense and 23rd in scoring, so
some changes were made. Linebackers Ernie Sims (55 tackles, 2 sacks) and
defensive end Jamaal Anderson (21 tackles, 2 sacks) were brought in for depth,
while but it is steady vet Gary Brackett (74 tackles) who remains in the
middle at the linebacker position. Safety Melvin Bullitt (13 tackles, 1 INT)
returns after missing all but four games last year due to a shoulder injury,
while Jacob Lacey (64 tackles, 1 INT) and Jerraud Powers (53 tackles, 2 INT)
will be tasked with keeping an eye on Johnson.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Can the Colts shut down Foster this season? The Houston back rushed for a
team-record 231 yards in last season’s opener to get his incredible campaign
off and running and added another 167 total yards and a score in the Week 8
loss at Indy. Foster’s hamstring could make that past success moot however.

Expectations won’t taper off even without Manning, so Collins will need to
quickly step his game up. The veteran has been through the trenches and has
played in a Super Bowl, but hasn’t had a lot of time to prepare for this
start. Mix in a Williams-led attack and it could be a long day for Collins if
he doesn’t get help from his blockers.

Even against Collins, who is familiar with Houston having spent time with the
Titans, the Texans will have no chance at their first playoff berth if the
secondary doesn’t improve. That starts in Week 1 and the likes of Joseph and
Danieal Manning will be counted on early and often. A healthy Ryans will help
the defense all around, but so will solid coverage.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Colts appear to be heading into unfamiliar territory without Manning and
that is bad news against a Texans club that is ready to show the NFL it is a
playoff-ready team. Houston’s biggest disadvantage was its secondary and it
was still able to win a shootout at home over Indianapolis a season ago. The
Colts have long been a thorn in the Texans’ side, but no Manning will leave
them on their heels a bit in this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texans 28, Colts 17

The Sports Network

For the third time in four seasons, the Indianapolis Colts are one-and-done in the playoffs.

(Sports Network) – For the third time in four seasons, the Indianapolis Colts are one-and-done in the playoffs.

Of course, the Colts won Super Bowl XLI to cap the 2006 season prior to this current stretch and were the defending AFC champions heading into Saturday’s matchup with the Jets, but would you believe that Peyton Manning is now 9-10 in the postseason following a last-second 17-16 loss to New York?

Now, no one is going to argue against Manning going into the Hall of Fame when his stellar career is over, but one has to wonder just how much people will remember his postseason struggles. After all, in seven of his 11 playoff appearances he has failed to advance the Colts a single game.

Manning, though, won’t be faulted alone for Saturday’s not-so-shocking setback to the Jets. The gun-slinger threw for a modest 225 yards and one touchdown versus a tough pass defense, but twice led his squad into position for fourth- quarter field goals. The latter put the Colts ahead by two with 53 seconds remaining.

Some had already questioned Indianapolis head coach Jim Caldwell settling for three points when down four with 4:37 to go, but Adam Vinatieri’s 50-yard boot later in the game for a 16-14 lead in favor of the Colts made questioning that decision moot.

“In that situation [the first field goal] we take the points,” said Caldwell. “Where we were located we knew we were in a situation where we had a chance to get it back. That was our thought process. And it happened that way. We did get it back. We obviously had a chance to go down and we ended up getting a field goal. But obviously it wasn’t enough.”

It wasn’t enough because the Jets still had just under a minute of time to work with and what unfolded next was a series of events usually reserved for the Manning-led Colts.

First, New York returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards to its own 46-yard line. The Jets then moved the ball 22 yards to the Colts 36-yard line with 29 seconds to play and it was Caldwell who curiously called a time out.

Out of the break, New York quarterback Mark Sanchez found wideout Braylon Edwards for a gutsy 18-yard completion to the Colts 14, setting up Nick Folk’s game-winning 32-yard boot.

“It is certainly disappointing,” said Manning. “That is really all you think about at this point. I think at some point you will sit back and reflect on the entire season. Disappointing in the way that we lost the game tonight. Anytime you lose on a last-second field goal in a playoff game it certainly stinks.”

COLTS THE UNDERDOG?

Even though the Colts came into Saturday’s meeting with the Jets, who they knocked off in last year’s AFC Championship Game, riding a four-game winning streak, many felt that the banged-up club was more vulnerable than ever.

Sure, Indy had won the AFC South title for the seventh time in the past eight seasons and was making its record-tying ninth straight postseason appearance, but the franchise was also counting on the likes of Dominic Rhodes, Blair White and Jacob Tamme to make plays due to a rash of injury.

Indianapolis usually comes into the playoffs as one of the heavy favorites, but Manning didn’t see it that way this year.

“It would have been fun to have gotten on a little run here. There is really a different feel here. We would have been the underdog in every game we would have played. I thought we were the underdog tonight.

“[Had we won], we would have been an underdog going into to Pittsburgh. That is certainly a different feeling. Every year we are in the playoffs. We are always kind of the favorite to win and expected to win, but this could have been a fun little run.”

One player who enjoyed a great run on Saturday was wide receiver Pierre Garcon. With Reggie Wayne shut down by Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis to the tune of just one catch for one yard, Garcon posted five receptions for a game-high 112 yards while hauling in a 57-yard touchdown catch.

In all, the Colts outgained the Jets through the air, 219-184, and didn’t lose because of offensive struggles.

“Pierre made a big play on his touchdown. Blair had a couple of nice catches. Reggie Wayne has had an unbelievable year. There is no question he was a big focus of their defense,” Manning said. “It was just a matter of kind of throwing it to the guy that was open on each progression and knowing what the coverage was.”

OFFSEASON TRIP TO CLUB MED

When Indianapolis placed cornerback Kelvin Hayden on injured reserve before the Jets game, it meant the club would end the season with 18 players on IR. That list included some star-studded names in tight end Dallas Clark, wide receivers Anthony Gonzalez and Austin Collie and safeties Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt.

They weren’t the only key pieces missing for the playoff matchup as linebacker Clint Session, tackle Ryan Diem and defensive tackle Antonio Johnson were all inactive versus the Jets.

Still, the Colts never gave up and got big unexpected contributions from the likes of White, Tamme, linebacker Pat Angerer and safety Aaron Francisco.

A day after the loss to New York, Caldwell was better able to put those contributions into perspective.

“Probably unlike any other group that I’ve ever seen, obviously had probably more adversity to deal with through the course of the season than most teams. They did it, I think, in grand fashion. They were able to stare it right in the eye. They didn’t weep and complain. They didn’t implode. They didn’t point fingers.

“What they did is went to work and certainly did everything they possibly could to put us in position to win.”

While the Colts would still love to be playing right now, they certainly could use the offseason more than any other club. And, assuming there is a next season, recharged Indy should again be among the main contenders.

NEXT UP: THE DRAFT

Offensively, the Colts were among the league leaders in points and passing, but averaged just 92.7 yards per game on the ground. Starter Joseph Addai missed time this year with injury and is slated to be a free agent, so adding to the position through the draft is possible.

Session is the biggest name on the defensive side of the ball for free agency and the whole unit should get a bit of a makeover after it ranked 20th in total defense, 23rd in scoring defense and struggled to stop the Jets ground game.

Indy appears to be strong up front, especially with ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney, so the secondary should get some new additions prior to next season.

The Colts spent their first three draft picks last year on defense, grabbing defensive end Jerry Hughes (first round), Angerer (second round) and cornerback Kevin Thomas (third round).

© 2011 The Sports Network

The New York Jets feel they are better prepared to handle a playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts this year. They won’t have to wait long to take their shot at the defending AFC champs.

(Sports Network) – The New York Jets feel they are better prepared to handle a playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts this year. They won’t have to wait long to take their shot at the defending AFC champs.

In a rematch of last year’s conference championship game, the sixth-seeded Jets visit a Colts club that overcame numerous injuries to reach the playoffs for a ninth straight season this Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

With a 9-7 record a year ago, the Jets went into the 2009 postseason as the AFC’s fifth seed and knocked off both Cincinnati and San Diego on the road before taking on the hosting Colts for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

Led by then-rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez and outstanding corner Darrelle Revis, the Jets took a 17-6 advantage late in the second quarter versus the Colts, but failed to find the scoreboard again as Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes — two in the second half — to rally his team to a 30-17 victory.

The Colts then went on to lose in the Super Bowl to New Orleans.

Sanchez said his team is excited to get another chance at Indianapolis.

“It’s a great matchup for us, it really is,” he said. “We beat them once [in the regular season] last year, they beat us when it really counted and that’s hard. That’s a tough feeling, going home after a playoff game, all the way to the AFC Championship Game, having the lead at halftime and then coming up short. This is a different team, very similar on their defense.”

Behind a solid season from Sanchez, an excellent two-headed rush attack and stingy defensive play, New York went 11-5 overall and 6-2 on the road this year. It’s the club’s best finish since a 12-4 campaign in 1998 lifted the Jets to a second straight postseason appearance for just the fifth time in franchise history.

New York did lose three of its final five regular-season games, but capped the schedule with a 38-7 home victory over Buffalo. Sanchez played just one series in that game without throwing a pass as the Jets opted for him to rest a sore right shoulder, while running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene as well as corners Revis and Antonio Cromartie did not play.

Indianapolis had a little more to play for in Week 17, needing a victory or a Jacksonville loss to claim its seventh division title in eight seasons. Even though the Jaguars fell to Houston, the 10-6 Colts still did their part with a 23-20 triumph over Tennessee, in which Adam Vinatieri’s 43-yard-field goal as time expired allowed Indy to carry a four-game winning streak into the postseason.

Not bad for a club that was once 6-6 while also finishing the season with 17 players on injured reserve.

“Hopefully, we can build off some of the momentum we established,” said Manning. We feel fortunate to be playing this week. We don’t take it for granted to be in the playoffs.”

Indianapolis’ nine straight playoff appearances ties a record set by the Dallas Cowboys from 1975-83, and the Colts are averaging just over 30 points per game over their last five tests. Jets head coach Rex Ryan, though, feels his club is up to the task.

“One hundred percent. We are ready,” Ryan said. “It’s going to be a physical match, so let’s see who can win the physical battle. We are ready to go. I think we’re confident in what we are doing schematically.

“Does that mean [Manning] isn’t going to have success? No. We know that you’re not going to stop Peyton Manning, but we’re going to make enough plays to win this game.”

Injuries might help New York. In last year’s game, Manning threw touchdown passes to Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Dallas Clark. However, both Collie and Clark are on injured reserve and Manning will miss the duo.

“We were watching our film from last year’s game against the Jets and some of the games we’ve played against the Ravens in years past, and Dallas played critical roles in all of those games,” said Manning. “It’ll be the first time playing against this style of defense without Dallas, so there is a change. It’s more of a challenge. Collie was awesome last year.”

SERIES HISTORY

The Colts and Jets have met on three prior occasions in the postseason, the most recent being Indianapolis’ previously-mentioned victory in the 2009 AFC Championship. The most memorable, however, was the Jets’ landmark 16-7 win over the then-Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, and New York scored a 41-0 home rout of Indianapolis in a 2002 AFC First-Round Playoff as well.

Indianapolis holds a 40-26 advantage in its all-time regular-season series with the Jets, but New York recorded a 29-15 win at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 16. In that contest, Colts head coach Jim Caldwell pulled Manning and a bulk of the team’s starters with Indianapolis ahead, 15-10, early in the third quarter, sparking a firestorm of debate about the undefeated team’s decision not to play at 100 percent to attempt to win the game. The result snapped a two-game winning streak for the Colts in the set, which included a 31-28 road win in 2006 and a 38-31 decision at the RCA Dome in 2003.

Caldwell and Ryan are 1-1 against one another as well as their counterpart’s respective team, and both possess 2-1 lifetime records in postseason play.

WHEN THE JETS HAVE THE BALL

While Sanchez (3291 passing yards, 17 TD, 13 INT) showed great improvement from his 20-interception rookie season, the Jets’ offense makes its money on the ground, where it ranked fourth in the NFL with an average of 148.4 yards per game. Tomlinson (914 rushing yards, 6 TD) led the club with 219 carries and was tied for third among Jets players with 52 catches, while Greene (766 rushing yards, 2 TD) carried the ball 185 times after beginning the season as the starter. The duo ran behind a line that features a pair of Pro Bowl picks in left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold and was tied for eighth in the league with just 28 sacks allowed. Sanchez did a great job in the regular season of using all of his weapons, with tight end Dustin Keller as well as wide receivers Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes all finishing with over 50 catches. Keller (55 receptions, 5 TD) led the club in receptions, while Edwards (53 receptions, 7 TD) had the most touchdown receptions of any receiver on the roster. Edwards caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Sanchez in last year’s AFC Championship Game, while Holmes (52 receptions, 6 TD) is averaging 17.2 yards per catch in the playoffs. No Jets receiver went over 1,000 yards, with Edwards’ 904 leading the way.

Though the Colts ranked 25th in the league in run defense (127.0 ypg), they were able to shut down three talented running backs during their winning streak in the Titans’ Chris Johnson, the Jaguars’ Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden of the Raiders. Indianapolis allowed just 79.8 yards per game on the ground over its season-ending win streak. If the Colts can stop the run, it will allow the Pro Bowl defensive end duo of Dwight Freeney (25 tackles, 10 sacks) and Robert Mathis (60 tackles, 11 sacks) to wreak havoc. Freeney is one postseason sack shy of becoming just the ninth player in league history since 1982 to reach 10 for his career. Linebackers Pat Angerer (88 tackles, 1 sack) and Gary Brackett (74 tackles) hope to be joined this weekend by Clint Session (38 tackles, 1 sack), who is questionable with an elbow injury. Safeties Aaron Francisco (59 tackles, 2 INT) and Antoine Bethea (106 tackles, 1 INT) have played well this season even though the Colts lost depth at that spot with season-ending injuries to Bob Sanders (biceps) and Melvin Bullitt (shoulder), and the pair gets help from corners Kelvin Hayden (61 tackles, 2 INT) and Jacob Lacey (64 tackles, 1 INT). Hayden, who tied for the team lead in interceptions with cornerback Jerraud Powers and Francisco, is also a question mark due to a neck injury.

WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL

Though Manning (4700 passing yards, 33 TD, 17 INT) did struggle at times, especially during a three-game slide from Nov. 21-Dec. 5, the Colts still ranked first in passing offense (288.1 ypg) while he himself set a league record with 450 completions and a personal best in passing yards. His interception total was its highest since he had 19 in 2002, but the four-time league MVP also has plenty of past experience and success in the playoffs. Manning, in fact, ranks third in NFL postseason history with 435 completions and 5,164 passing yards, behind only Brett Favre and Joe Montana in both categories, and is the game’s all-time leader with eight 300-yard passing games in the playoffs. The Pro Bowl quarterback will miss Collie and Clark, but he still has the reliable wideout Reggie Wayne (111 receptions, 1355 receiving yards, 6 TD) to throw to. Wayne, also a Pro Bowl selection, set a career best this season in catches and has nine touchdowns in 16 career postseason games. Garcon (67 receptions, 6 TD), meanwhile, had 11 catches for 151 yards in last year’s playoff game versus the Jets, while tight end Jacob Tamme (67 receptions, 4 TD) has been great in replacing Clark. With Collie, who led the Colts with eight touchdown catches, out, Blair White (36 receptions, 5 TD) should continue to see time on the field. The Colts did rank just 29th in rushing offense (92.7 ypg), and Donald Brown (497 rushing yards, 2 TD), Joseph Addai (495 rushing yards, 4 TD) and Dominic Rhodes should all see time carrying the ball in this one.

The Jets figured to be one of the league’s top defensive teams in 2010 and they did not disappoint, ranking third in total defense (291.5 ypg) and sixth in scoring (19.0 ppg). Revis (32 tackles, 0 INT) saw his numbers dip after posting six interceptions in 2009, but that was more likely because teams threw away from him and he was still selected to his third straight Pro Bowl. Revis has two picks in three postseason games and needs one more to tie Greg Buttle for the most in team playoff history. New York hopes that Cromartie (42 tackles, 3 INT) will be the difference-maker in this year’s rematch after a successful debut with the Jets this season. Safety Eric Smith (54 tackles, 1 sack) had been filling in for the injured Jim Leonhard (61 tackles, 1 INT), who is on IR with a fractured tibia, but he missed the last three games due to a concussion. Smith could return in this one to start alongside Brodney Pool (53 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT), with Dwight Lowery (19 tackles, 2 sacks. 3 INT) returning to his reserve role. Linebackers Bart Scott (81 tackles, 1 sack) and David Harris (99 tackles, 3 sacks) were the only two defensive players to start all 16 games, while defensive end Shaun Ellis (36 tackles, 4.5 sacks) is slated to play in his club-best 10th playoff game. Harris had two sacks in last year’s playoff matchup with the Colts, while linebacker Bryan Thomas (39 tackles, 6 sacks) was this year’s regular-season leader in that category. Calvin Pace (51 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 INT) and Jason Taylor (36 tackles, 5 sacks), the NFL’s active sack leader, add to New York’s excellent linebacker depth.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Jets versatile kick returner Brad Smith ranked second in the league with an average of 28.6 yards per return and took a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns during the regular season. Jerricho Cotchery has been handling punt return duties with Leonhard’s injury. Punter Steve Weatherford matched an NFL record with 42 kicks inside the 20-yard line, while kicker Nick Folk hit 30-of-39 field goal tries and connected on a club-record 56-yard boot versus Denver on Oct. 17.

Late-season addition Rhodes is listed No. 1 on the Colts depth chart as the kick returner, ahead of Justin Tryon (21.4 avg.). White averaged eight yards on 10 punt returns. Punter Pat McAfee stuck 21 of his 65 punts inside the 20 and Vinatieri missed just two of his 28 field goal attempts, but did not try one from beyond 50 yards.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Jets can talk all they want about how prepared they are to handle the Colts’ Manning-led offense, but they know deep down inside he is probably the last quarterback they wanted to see on Saturday. That being said, no other defense in the NFL has the talent, swagger and confidence needed to go toe-to- toe with Manning, and Ryan will have his boys ready to play. The Colts are nowhere near the team they were during last year’s run to the AFC title game, but Manning is still Manning. If New York can’t run the ball and keep the Colts’ offense on the sidelines for extended periods, Indianapolis will get its chances versus the New York defense. In what should be an excellent battle, expect the calm and coolness of Manning to edge out the Jets’ grit one more time.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Colts 24, Jets 20

© 2011 The Sports Network