Monday Night Football preview - Indianapolis at New England

By Jeremy Harness

November 6, 2005
 
 



NEW ENGLAND--The Indianapolis Colts enjoyed last weekend off and taking a 7-0 record into Monday Night's ball against the New England Patriots here in week 8. The Pats who have knocked the Colts out of the playoffs for two post seasons straight would like to avenge for the losses on national TV in what is expected to be a battle.

The Colts who are the NFL's only undefeated team looks to have a healthy club going into Monday Night's game according to head coach Tony Dungy, "the bye really came at a good time for us."

The Colts are also one of the few teams in the NFL where number of injuries are way down. Colts second year safety Bob Sanders, who has an upper arm injury and missed several practices last week, expects to get back into Monday Night's ball game in addition, benefits from the bye last week as well, "the injury is coming along I look forward to getting in some plays and see how I feel, I feel I'm about ready to go."

Sanders who reportedly injured his lower arm was taken by cart off the field in another Monday Night game on October 17th against the St Louis Rams said,” at this point, I didn't know I've had done it before where it didn't feel like anything and I didn't know I was injured, and it was serious. You really don't know. You want to be as positive as you can."

Dungy meanwhile is happy about the lack of injuries on the roster and says the club is ready to roll full steam after the bye, "We really are coming back on Wednesday, we should have most of our guys ready to practice." said Dungy.

Patriot’s camp: Quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots enter Monday Night's game after playing last week on Sunday Night for the second time for being on prime time this season. New England currently has a 4-3-0 record after their 21-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

The Pats will be on prime time again against the Colts who hope to keep their perfect record while the Patriots would like to move a few games better than .500.

The big news for New England was the return of Teddy Bruschi last Sunday against Buffalo, who had seven tackles against the Bills. Bruschi is looking forward to another appearance against the Colts on Monday Night.

Bruschi who suffered a stroke was placed on the "unable to perform list" last July 28. Against his doctors recommendations Bruschi came back to the Patriots off a stroke from last year and is practicing with the team six week into the season.

The recovery from such a stroke according to doctors would take normally near two seasons. Bruschi is making the return after less than one season.

Bruschi 28, started all the Pats games last season during the championship year, finished off with 128 tackles, and was second on the Pats with three interceptions. Bruschi also was chosen to go to the pro bowl last season, he has played nine years in the NFL and has started 88 of 136 games with a career total of 768 tackles, including 24 career sacks, forcing 17 fumbles, has picked off 11 passes and made 10 interceptions in the last four seasons.

J-Doggs predictions: The Pats have shown have had injuries this season so far and are 3-3. They struggled earlier at home against the Chargers in a game they should have handled. Being at home you never know which Patriot team might show up.

Tom Brady will be out for blood in this one. The Colts who are 7-0 want to take this game as a trophy for the regular season in beating the Pats.

With the game in New England, the Pats could turn it into an arm wrestling match. I would have to play it safe and go with the Colts to win as they are at full strength and they should take it by six points. Kick off is at 6:00PM PST.

Jeremy Harness covers Monday Night Football each week and co-hosts Sportstalk on 1110 KLIB Sacramento.

 

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