Jets-Colts: Indianapolis' Defense Will Determine Who Goes to Miami

It will not be Peyton Manning, Mark Sanchez, or Darrelle Revis that decides the outcome of Sunday’s AFC Championship game between the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts—it will be the Colts’ defense.

Although the Jets have the best pass defense in the league, one can only assume that Manning will still get his 17 to 20 points.

The Colts just scored 20 points against a comparable Baltimore Ravens defensive unit.

There’s no secret to the Jets’ offensive strategy. They will attempt to run the football down the throat of the Colts’ defense, and they will do so at least two out of every three offensive downs.

When the Jets have a 2nd-and-5 situation, everyone on the field knows what’s coming, everyone in the stadium knows what’s coming, and the millions watching on television all know what’s coming.

The question is, can the Colts’ defense stop it?

Thus far, no one has been able to stop the Jets’ ground assault during the postseason.

The Jets have scored 41 points in two games by relying almost solely on the running game.

The Jets will be running, and they will be running hard on Sunday afternoon.

During the 2009 regular season, the Colts’ defense gave up an average of 19 points per game and ranked 24th in the league in defending against the rush.

Can the Colts improve upon that statistic on Sunday?

Can the Colts manage to hold the Jets to 17 points or less?

The answer to that question will likely determine which AFC team will run out of the tunnel at Sun Life Stadium on Feb. 7.