The nightcap on Wild Card Saturday features two teams that provided a classic in last year's post season: the 12-4 Indianapolis Colts vs. the 8-8 San Diego Chargers. And both teams took drastically different paths to get here.
The Colts, perennial playoff participants, shook off an uncharacteristic 3-4 start to win its final nine games. A lot of their early struggles can be attributed to an assortment of injuries which hurt team continuity, but once they got all of their pieces back in place, the machine began to work as expected.
The Chargers, left for dead just four weeks ago at 4-8, put together a furious four game winning streak and received a lot of help from Denver who was putting together an equally impressive three game losing streak to blow the division.
As we head into this huge matchup on Saturday night, it's important to note that of the few teams that have had Indy's number over the past few years, San Diego has been one of them.
The 34 defense that San Diego employs has always given Peyton Manning fits—dating back to 2004—but this year, in a showdown about a month ago, Manning and Co. got the best of San Diego and pulled out the 23-20 win as the clock hit 0:00.
And a big reason for that might've been the loss of DE/LB Shawn Merriman, who always provided a consistent outside pass rush which is so important to this defensive attack.
So here's how we see the game breaking down.
When Indianapolis has the ball, look for them to commit to the pass to set up the run. While their running game (Addai and Rhodes) can be very effective on the stretch running plays and misdirections, it's the threat of Manning's pinpoint passing game which keeps secondaries back and allows the upfront blocking to find holes for its backs to run through.
The Chargers must counter this by finding ways to pressure Manning. Even if they don't sack him, a lot of pressure will throw off his rhythm and force him into errant throws. And if there's one thing we all know about Peyton, it's that he can be flustered into poor decisions when the stakes get higher.
His playoff track record, aside from Indy's run in '06 when the defense was the reason for the Super Bowl, has been hardly impressive.
If San Diego can't pressure Manning, he will pick apart this secondary because in today's NFL, it's impossible for a corner to stay with a receiver for long periods of time. And he'll do so through his usual targets: Wayne, Clark, Gonzalez and Harrison.
When the Chargers
5 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Rob L 6 months ago
yeah that chargers 3-4 D always gives him fits. The 400 yard, 3 TD perofrmance (he did throw for 2 INTs but they were TIPPED CATCHABLE BALLS that the receiver didn't catch) in the 07 season playoff loss really showed that, right? Manning had the best game of all QBs in the playoffs vs that D that supposedly gives him fits.
Even if you look at the 07 regular same game, Manning destroyed the Chargers D once he got over throwing all those 1st qtr INTs where he clearly had zero confidence in the offense being able to stand up with the injuries.
I am not saying san diego doesn't present him a good scheme and everything and that he does worse vs them than vs say the Texans D but to say he has fits and imply he struggles is a bit of a reach when the actual play (if anyone has watched the games) shows otherwise.
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Josh Satler 6 months ago
Rob, you're right, he had big numbers in that '07 performance, and they lost. And the two INTs were huge factors. The one at the goal line was deadly. Look, Peyton will always make plays b/c the offense (and rules today) favor this type of passing game, but throughout his past, the one style that has given him fits is the 3-4. The Steelers of '05; the Patriots from '02-'04, etc. And Manning, in pressure situations, can be rattled. I still think they'll win this weekend however b/c the Chargers D isn't that good however, but it'll be close.
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paul cook 6 months ago
The idea that the 3-4 is what gives Manning problems is false. Manning has scored on 3-4 defenses such as the Ravens, Patriots, and Chargers as recently as this year. Yes the Chargers do play the Colts as tough as a division rival but that is because of the players in the scheme, not the scheme itself. Manning will score, the question is whether or not the Colts D will keep Rivers and especially Sproles from scoring more.
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Ian Philip 6 months ago
The funny thing is, the reason why Indy keeps losing to the Chargers is because San Diego's offense keeps out performing the Colts' offense. San Diego's anemic offense was the reason for the Chargers' loss this season and was the reason why the Chargers won in the playoffs last year.
Hell, all this talk about Manning picking the Chargers apart and he still had two or three guys in his face the whole game even without Shawne Merriman. Indy will be hard pressed to surpass 24 points... like every other game they've played against the Chargers.
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Mike Meadows 6 months ago
GO BOLTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Manning is A FAGGOT
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