Who is the 'X-Factor' player for both the Pats and Colts?

PATRIOTSFANINPA · Nov 11, 2009

I am going to say that Derrick Burgess will be the X-Factor who hopefully will make plays to pressure Manning in the game to make errant throws to help the Pats win,He has been the invisible man, but sooner or later he should have a decent game..right?

I think Austin Collie who has had a superb rookie season is the X-Factor for the Colts,While Clark and Wayne will be the receivers who the defense pays attention to,Collie will be the WR that could get open for big plays and could make the difference in the Colts if they win.

JSn · Nov 11, 2009

Not under the radar, but I think Indy's danger is Freeny and I think the Pats who will make things click will be Watson and Aiken over the middle and in the red zone. Those big fellas are going to add to Moss and Welker already giving a banged up secondary a tough day.

Kontradiction · Nov 11, 2009

For the Pats, I think it's obvious that the X-Factor is going to be Kevin Faulk in this game, much like it is for almost every other game. If Brady gets pressured by the Colts defensive line, he's going to look to his checkdown routes - those being Welker and Faulk (when he is in). That's why Faulk is our X-Factor, he will be counted on to make them pay.

For the Colts, the X-Factor will be Austin Collie. With the Pats rolling coverage to take out Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, Collie will be counted on to make the tough catches over the middle to extend drives.

Sicilian · Nov 11, 2009

For the Colts I would say the x factor is Addai. If he gets anything going early, that opens up so many options for them, including the playaction.

For the Pats, it's Meriweather/McGowan, whichever one is supposed to check Clark. If they can do it with minimal help, it's HUGE.

chris_in_sunnyvale · Nov 11, 2009

KontradictioN said:
For the Colts, the X-Factor will be Austin Collie. With the Pats rolling coverage to take out Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, Collie will be counted on to make the tough catches over the middle to extend drives.

I couldn't have said this better. If Collie steps up, it may force the Pats to adjust coverages, opening things up for the big guns Wayne and Clark.

As for the Pats, the X-factor will be Darius Butler. I expect him to see lots of snaps and he will be tested. Watch any Colts game and if there's a rookie DB in the game, Peyton paints a bullseye on him. If he can render Garcon and Collie ineffective without help, that will be huge as the help can be focused on Wayne and Clark.

Regards,
Chris

Metaphors · Nov 11, 2009

I think the safeties are going to own this game...

For the Pats, I'll pick McGowan. Manning likes the defense to move vertically but his mistakes come when defenders cross the middle of the field into zones Manning thinks are free. McGowan has shown good anticipation and there isn't much tape on him as a Patriot. Look for McGowan to get a key pick in the game.

For the Colts, I'll pick Bullitt. I would guess Bethea is going to be occupied helping with Moss and controlling the deep middle. That leaves Bullitt with a lot of responsibilities. If he has a great game, the Pats will have a hard time getting into the end zone consistently.

Rob0729 · Nov 11, 2009

PATRIOTSFANINPA said:
I am going to say that Derrick Burgess will be the X-Factor who hopefully will make plays to pressure Manning in the game to make errant throws to help the Pats win,He has been the invisible man, but sooner or later he should have a decent game..right?

I think Austin Collie who has had a superb rookie season is the X-Factor for the Colts,While Clark and Wayne will be the receivers who the defense pays attention to,Collie will be the WR that could get open for big plays and could make the difference in the Colts if they win.

I'm wondering if Collie will even play. I think he was a gametime decision last week and he got injured again in game against the Texans. Even if he plays, he may not be all that effective.

My X factor players will be Mike Wright for the Pats and Pierre Garcon for the Colts. The best way to get Manning out of his rhythm is pressure up the middle (all pocket passers have that weakness), with Wright playing the middle (I assume he will continue at NT this week) he will be key to putting pressure up the middle. Garcon is the X factor for the same reason you say Collie.

JSn · Nov 11, 2009

I don't think Wayne is playing at or near 100%. Might be possible to single cover him.

PATRIOTSFANINPA · Nov 11, 2009

Jarvis Green is a big loss in this game as he has owned Manning in the past and has sacked him and pressured him - Green would have been my choice had he been healthy.

Kontradiction · Nov 11, 2009

Metaphors said:
I think the safeties are going to own this game...

For the Pats, I'll pick McGowan. Manning likes the defense to move vertically but his mistakes come when defenders cross the middle of the field into zones Manning thinks are free. McGowan has shown good anticipation and there isn't much tape on him as a Patriot. Look for McGowan to get a key pick in the game.

For the Colts, I'll pick Bullitt. I would guess Bethea is going to be occupied helping with Moss and controlling the deep middle. That leaves Bullitt with a lot of responsibilities. If he has a great game, the Pats will have a hard time getting into the end zone consistently.

I actually think Bethea will be covering Welker, or at least helping out on him.

Rob0729 · Nov 11, 2009

BTW, I was going to go with Watson as the X Factor because the Tampa 2 is most suseptible to over the middle in the routes that he runs. I expect him to be a big part of the offense on Sunday. But since it seems like a logic move by the Pats, I didn't consider it an X Factor.

alvinnf · Nov 11, 2009

Dan Connelly filling in for Koppen. Making all the line calls and dealing with a loud dome, half dome.

Kontradiction · Nov 11, 2009

JSn said:
I don't think Wayne is playing at or near 100%. Might be possible to single cover him.

I wouldn't take that chance, personally. He's the only guy that can beat us deep. Might as well give Bodden some help.

reflexblue · Nov 11, 2009

McGowan covering Clark like he did Tony Gonzo in the Atlanta game. For Indy, Clark.

PATRIOTSFANINPA · Nov 11, 2009

Rob0729 said:
BTW, I was going to go with Watson as the X Factor because the Tampa 2 is most suseptible to over the middle in the routes that he runs. I expect him to be a big part of the offense on Sunday. But since it seems like a logic move by the Pats, I didn't consider it an X Factor.

Could this may be the week Chris Baker starts?

Baker has not done much here but his blocking skills could keep him out there and helping Vollmer against Freeney.

Kontradiction · Nov 11, 2009

PATRIOTSFANINPA said:
Could this may be the week Chris Baker starts?

Baker has not done much here but his blocking skills could keep him out there and helping Vollmer against Freeney.

They'll probably put LeVoir in there as a "blocking tight end" to help Vollmer like they did this past week.

Rob0729 · Nov 11, 2009

PATRIOTSFANINPA said:
Could this may be the week Chris Baker starts?

Baker has not done much here but his blocking skills could keep him out there and helping Vollmer against Freeney.

They might go with a lot more two TE sets, but I think Watson is going to be a factor in the passing game because the Colts are suseptible to TE play over the middle.

DynastyDriven · Nov 11, 2009

Vollmer on Freeney

HarkDawg · Nov 11, 2009

PATS- Moss/Welker/TFB TIE

INDY- Addai...... that is it. I think their run game will be good

JSn · Nov 11, 2009

PATRIOTSFANINPA said:
Could this may be the week Chris Baker starts?

Baker has not done much here but his blocking skills could keep him out there and helping Vollmer against Freeney.

I think Baker actually started last week. Watson still played a bunch, but Baker was the starting TE.

Who is the 'X-Factor' player for both the Pats and Colts?

Pro Bowl Player

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

On my retirement tour.

PatsFans.com Supporter

In the Starting Line-Up

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Supporter

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Pro Bowl Player

On my retirement tour.

PatsFans.com Supporter

In the Starting Line-Up

On my retirement tour.

PatsFans.com Supporter

Pro Bowl Player

On my retirement tour.

PatsFans.com Supporter

On the Game Day Roster

Banned

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Similar threads