Indianapolis Colts/San Francisco 49ers Preview
by
BrianJamesPicks.com
Fast forward to week 5 of the NFL season and the Colts standatop the AFC South at 4-0. Followed by Jacksonville (2-2), Tennessee(1-3), and Houston (0-4). Big surprise, huh? Only this seasonthe Indianapolis defense is the major reason for the fast start.
The defense is holding opponents to a league low 26 points through4 games, for an average of 6.5 points per game. They have yetto allow a 100 yard rusher this season. Last week they held Titan’sRB Chris Brown to 31 yards on 10 carries. QB Steve McNair ranfor 40 yards on three scrambles and one designated bootleg. Thedefense sacked him twice and picked him off once. Although hefinished 28 of 57 for 220 yards, they kept him out of the endzone until 4 minutes left in the game and the outcome alreadydecided. That makes only one of two touchdowns scored againstthem all season.
As far as the offense is concerned, it’s not what we’ve cometo expect from the Colts. They are not putting up the big numberseveryone was used to seeing last year. However, against Tennesseelast week the offense showed they might be starting click. QBPayton Manning and Marvin Harrison hooked up for 2 TD’s to tiefor the most TD passes between a QB and a WR with 85, a mark setby Steve Young and Jerry Rice, which can be broken at San Franciscoon Sunday. In the last 2 weeks Manning has raised his QB ratingfrom the mid 70's to 97.4. Last Sunday’s play shows he might beover the slump. His stats were 20 of 27 for 264 yards, 4 TD’s(2 more than all season), and no interceptions. He hit 6 differentreceivers, with no sacks, and posted a QB rating of 144.1.
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Harrison was the leading receiver, grabbing 9receptions for 109 yards, giving him his 48th career 100 yardreceiving game. The ‘Edge’ finished the day with 21 carries for90 yards, and one receiving TD, all while suffering from a stomachvirus.
San Francisco on the other hand is looking likea team in trouble. Trailing Arizona by 2 touchdowns, with 8:49left in last Sunday’s game; Coach Nolan chose to bench startingQB Tim Rattay, sending in No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith. Up to thatpoint Rattay was 11 of 21 for 126 yards and 1 INT. Smith completedhis first NFL pass, which was then fumbled by Frank Gore. He finished6 of 10 for 34 yards. Rattay was quoted as saying the offensiveexecution was ‘horrendous’. Receiver Brandon Lloyd had seven catchesfor 102 yards and 1 fumble. RB Kevin Barlow rushed for 45 yardson 10 carries. San Fran ran the ball only 14 times total, andhad only 1 rushing 1st down in the game.
The defense is not without its own share of controversyalso. Coach Nolan decided to try and trade LB Jamie Wilborn lastweek, who the 49'ers asked to clean out his locker. Wilborn wascaught by surprise to say the least. The 49ers might have rushedthe dismissal, with LB Julian Peterson out of action with a strainedhamstring.
All of San Francisco’s offense was on the defensiveside of the ball. LB Derek Smith recovered a fumble in the endzone just 9 seconds into the game. Later CB Derrick Johnson returneda Marcel Shipp fumble 78 yards for his first TD in his debut.DE Bryant Young leads the NFL in sacks with 6. The defense waslooking to have it easy with Cardinal’s back up QB Josh NcCown,but he lit them up for 385 yards going 32 of 46 and 2 TD’s. CBWillie Middlebrook struggled in his debut.
This week’s game looks to allow the Colts togain more momentum. Most
Sportsbooks
installed Indianapolis as the heavy favorite.
The 49'ers have allowed a league high 132 points.They played last Sunday without 3 starters on defense, two inthe secondary and one LB.
Indianapolis and San Francisco are both 2-2 ATS,with the Colts being 2-0 ATS on grass.
Indianapolis is 0-4 O/U
San Francisco is 4-0 O/U
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