Game Story: Pats vs. Colts---KJ

Although both teams faced biting wind and frost in the AFC Division playoff game, the Indianapolis Colts trotted off the field for the last time in the NFL 2004-05 season while the New England Patriots emerged from Gillette Stadium with grins plastered on their faces as they prepare to cozy up to the Steelers next Sunday.
Many underestimated New England, the previous Super Bowl champs, who have won 29 of their last 31 games, and expected the Colts to come out victorious this past Sunday. Beloved Colts quarterback and league MVP, Peyton Manning, had an 18-yard completion to receiver, Marvin Harrison, which ended up being his longest completion of the game. The Patriots’ remarkable defensive display held Manning and the Colts to a surprisingly low total, with a final score of 20-3.
The game kicked off to a slow start with Vinatieri completing two field goals and Vanderjagt completing one in the entire first half. After halftime, however, the Patriots decided to kick it up a notch and bring in a touchdown each quarter in only seven-plus minutes as quarterback, Tom Brady passed the ball off to David Givens and then ran one in on his own.
The Patriots ability to force turnovers was a key factor in their win over the Colts, as they recovered two of the Colts’ three fumbles.
The Patriots also capitalized on the poorly productive Colts offense and dominated the playing field mainly due to poor match-ups like that of cornerbacks, Asante Samuel and Randall Gay, with receivers, Harrison and Reggie Wayne, respectively, for most of the game. The Colts played into New England’s strengths and coaches, Belichick and company, had no problem with that whatsoever.
"It was a good defensive effort by our defensive players, absolutely," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. "It was an outstanding effort. I thought really the whole unit did a good job. They covered competitively, they tackled well. We tried to play the run competitively and I thought it was a good, solid effort. When you a hold a team like that to three points, it was a good effort."
Patriots linebacker, Willie McGinest, also explained his view of one of their most fruitful defensive efforts this season.
“To go out and stop Peyton Manning and his offense, it’s a good thing. It’s kind of hard. Not many teams have stopped them all year long,” said McGinest. But the Patriots proved worthy of their playoff match-up against the Steelers when they gracefully shut down the number one offensive team in the league.
The New England Patriots will travel to Heinz Stadium for next Sunday’s game, in hopes of acquiring yet another chance at becoming Super Bowl champions.