Sunday Night Showdown – Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady

It’s one of the NFL’s greatest rivalries, if not the very best. That's why Sunday's Colt vs Patriots matchup is our NFL week 10 game of the week.

The Colts have won four of the last five meetings, but this year is a lot different. New England is vying for respect as Tom Brady and Randy Moss burn secondaries across the league. In 2007, they were undefeated until the Super Bowl where the younger Manning was able to knock Brady off his high horse and win the championship. This season, it’s the Colts that remain as the lone undefeated team in the AFC, and the Patriots would love nothing more than to spoil the party.

Peyton Manning, to me, is the undeniable MVP of the season. He’s doing more with loss. Gone is Marvin Harrison and Anthony Gonzalez, his supposed successor. Joseph Addai has solid numbers, but isn’t the breakout back that he was supposed to be in place of Edgerrin James. And a team that has lost two defensive standouts in Bob Sanders and Marlin Jackson in the secondary was able to hold the fort against a pass-heavy Houston Texans team. Brady’s bunch, however, is ranked 11th overall in road passing with 203.0 yards per game and Moss doesn’t have anyone in Indy that can legitimately cover him.

The responsibility of disrupting the New England offense will fall to Dwight Freeney who is having another incredible season. With 15 solo tackles, 9.5 sacks and a forced fumble, Freeney has been insanely effective this season. He’s averaging over 1.0 sacks per game and getting to Brady will be easier considering that wear, tear and mileage has worn down Brady’s usually brick-wall offensive line. Freeney can certainly make up for the loss of key players in the Indy secondary.

New England Patriots (6-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-0)

Sunday, November 15th --- Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis --- 8:20pm EST

NFL Betting Line: Indianapolis -2.5 (49.5)

The Patriots are a solid bet overall with a 4-2 ATS record and a 15-8 ATS record in their last 23 trips away from home. With Brady and Moss it’s hard not to take the usually punchy Patriots. But they’re just 1-4 ATS when playing Indianapolis in their last five contests. The coaching favor goes to New England because Uncle Bill is a known winner and I still haven’t bothered to figure out what the name of the Colts new head coach. I’m pretty sure the guy is actually just taking orders from Peyton Manning anyways.

It’s not like the Colts have been betting line pushovers either. They’re 5-2 ATS this season, and while a 4-10 ATS record at home is nerve wracking, I’d be more concerned with their 2-15-1 ATS record when hosting the Patriots. But I’m not listening to nfl betting trends in this one.

What I’m paying attention to is swagger and the Colts have it. Peyton has never been more focused or dialed in other than when he was setting the NFL touchdown record back in 2004. I didn’t really think Peyton had a sixth gear left in him, but he’s proving it this year by leading the Colts to win games they frankly have no business winning. I was scared of Houston’s bombing attack last week, just as I am with the Patriots. Last week I was right about Houston. This week, I think Peyton proves his knowledge and breakdown of the Patriots’ secondary is second to none as he leads the Colts to remain undefeated and shows Brady that there’s more to him than getting thwarted by the Patriots.

Furious Free Pick: Peyton Manning -2.5 (UNDER)