This should be an epic matchup to see who represents the AFC in the Super Bowl this season. The Colts get the game at home in the RCA Dome where they are 9-0 this season. But it won’t be that easy as the Patriots have been road warriors this season as they are an unbelievable 9-1 on the road!

Peyton Manning has not played well in the post season and he has never done well against the Patriots in the playoffs. But the Colts have actually been running the ball more than they’ve been throwing it in the playoffs. Joseph Addai & Dominic Rhodes have been sharing the carries and the Colts are averaging 144.0 yards rushing per game in the post season, so NT Vince Wilfork must demand a double team to keep Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel to make plays against the Colts backs. The Colts are also relying much more on the short passing game in the playoffs, so Dallas Clark and Joseph Addai (21 catches, 192 yards between them) have actually caught more passes than Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison (combined 16 receptions for 180 yards). Look for the trend to continue as the Patriots have a pair of good cover corners in Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs.Â

The Patriots will look to attack the suddenly stout run defense of the Colts. The Colts allowed 173.0 yards rushing per game and 5.3 yards per carry in the regular season, but they are only allowing 63.5 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry in the post season. Still, look for the Patriots to hand the ball off to Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney alot in this football game. If the Patriots can run the football that will slow the Colts pass rush and give Tom Brady a chance to light them up. Tom Brady should have success throwing the football against the Colts as he’s be money in the post season in his career. The Patriots will likely spread the Colts defense out and attack the weak link which could be strong safety Antoine Bethea. With that in mind, it seems as if the Patriots will use their TEs alot in this game. Daniel Graham and Ben Watson have combined for 8 catches and 72 yards in the post season with a TD grab. Look for those two to produce similar numbers to that this weekend in Indy. Also, watch out for the two players Brady trusts the most on the offense…..Troy Brown and Kevin Faulk. Both of those guys made huge plays last weekend.Â

This could be a game where the kicking game comes into play. Adam Vinatieri would like nothing more than to stick it to the Patriots for letting him go. He’s 8 for 8 in the post-season and has never missed a FG in the RCA Dome. Rookie Stephen Gostkowski had a good rookie season and he’s hit all 6 of his of his FGs in the post season.

With this being such a big game you have to look at some of the matchups to determine a winner in this game. I would take Bill Belichick & Tom Brady any day over Peyton Manning & Tony Dungy and it doesn’t matter where they play the football game. The Chargers were 8-0 at home and the Patriots beat them. So with that, I’m picking the Patriots to beat the Colts again in the post season and advance to the Super Bowl.