NFL Week 2 Predictions: Peyton Manning And Colts Will Beat Up Eli and The Giants
The last time the Peyton and Eli played against one another was in 2006 when Peyton's Colts beat Eli's Giants, 26-21.
This Sunday night, in another highly anticipated game between two former Super Bowl winners, the two Mannings will play each other again.
Eli is looking to avenge his 2006 loss, while Peyton is trying to avoid an 0-2 start for the Colts.
Who will win in the battle of the brothers?
Peyton, of course. Here's why.
Colts Receivers: Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark & Co.
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The duo of Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne already ranks third all-time in terms of production for the Colts' franchise.
There's definitely great chemistry between the two, as one more Manning-to-Wayne TD will get the pair tied for second in team history.
Pass-catching tight end Dallas Clark also gets a lot of love and passes from Peyton. Last season he caught 100 passes for 1,106 yards and 10 TDs.
With those two on the team, the Colts already have a very potent receiving core. But neither Wayne nor Clark got the most looks from Peyton during Week 1.
That honor went to Austin Collie, who was targeted 12 times by Manning and had a great game with 11 receptions, 168 yards and one TD.
Giants Receivers: Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks and Co.
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Steve Smith emerged as the most productive receiver for the Giants last season, but Hakeem Nicks was the star of their season opener by hauling in three TDs on four catches.
Eli's receivers may be on the rise, but they simply don't have as much experience as the Colts.
They tore up a weak Carolina secondary in their home opener, but there was little pressure on Eli from the Panthers defense.
This week, Nicks will be nursing a sore ankle for this matchup and starting tight end Kevin Boss has been ruled out of the game.
Passing Game: Big Advantage To The Colts
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The older Manning wins this by a landslide.
Against the Texans, Manning threw 40 of 53 passes for 433 yards and three TDs in a losing effort.
He's got old reliables Wayne and Clark to look for during the game and Peyton has proven that he loves to spread the ball around.
The same cannot be said for the Giants. With injuries to key receivers, they fall even further behind in this matchup.
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Colts Running Back Joseph Addai
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Joseph Addai is a threat both as a runner and as a receiver.
Last week he carried the ball 10 times for 44 yards. Peyton threw to him six times and he caught the ball every time for 29 yards.
Since Addai has been on the team, it has never been about the Colts' running game. The offense goes through Peyton and his ability to utilize Addai effectively in their attack.
Giants Running Backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs
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The Giants now feature a two-man running tandem of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.
With two running backs that offer contrasting styles, the Giants boast a thunder-and-lightning attack that might be able to give the weary Colts' run defense some problems.
Running Game: Slight Advantage, Giants
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The Giants expect to take full advantage of the Colts' defense that allowed Arian Foster to run free on them.
Foster gained 231 yards on 33 carries with three TDs.
Eli will probably tell you himself that he will lose to Peyton if this was entirely a passing battle.
If the Giants stand a chance, it has to go through their running game.
Colts Defense
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Despite losing All-Pro safety Bob Sanders in the first half of their last game, the Colts only allowed 107 passing yards to Matt Schaub and the Texans.
But more of that can be attributed to their inability to stop the Texans' running game.
It is the Colts' run defense that needs to improve significantly.
Giants Defense
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The tandem of Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora gave the Carolina Panthers offense fits.
It was Umenyiora's sack on Matt Moore that ultimately took the quarterback out of the game.
Even though Umenyiora is listed as injured, he expects to play in this game and put pressure on the Colts offense.
However, everyone knows that Peyton Manning is a different kind of beast and a much more challenging man to play against.
Defense: Slight Advantage, Giants
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With the Giants defense coming back from a successful showing against the Panthers and the Colts defense looking to rebound from plenty of mistakes against the Texans, the slight advantage goes to the Giants.
But don't let that fool you, Peyton Manning is still capable of making the best defenses work hard.
The Difference Maker: Peyton Manning
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You think that the Giants have the advantage with a potent running attack and an intimidating defense?
No way. The Colts have one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. Peyton is simply a better quarterback than Eli and will be the difference maker in this game.
Peyton holds the all-time advantage in their series, and this will be another win for Colts. Playing at home, he will utilize his receivers efficiently, lead the offense to plenty of scoring opportunities and give Eli and Giants a proper big-brother beat down.
There is no way that the Colts will start the season 0-2.
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