Key To the Game: Pressure

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are, without question, one of the best pass rushing duos in the NFL. This season Freeney leads the team with 9.5 sacks, and Mathis is a close second with 6.5. However, come Sunday the Colts will need these two pass rushing studs to step up and play at an elite level. Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Randy Moss are more than likely coming into this game salivating at the lack of depth and experience in the Colts secondary. That is why it is vital that the Colts get a heavy pass rush from their front four on Brady throughout the game, because if Brady gets time in the pocket it could be a very long night for this Colts defense. 

However, a big positive for the Colts is the fact that the Patriots should be without starting left tackle, Matt Light. Instead it looks like the Colts may face rookie tackle Sebastian Vollmer, and although this line has only surrendered 10 sacks this season you have to expect the loss of Light to hurt the Patriots in this game. Even with the loss of Light at tackle the Colts must also find ways to get pressure up the middle. The Colts can get pressure from the edges all night long, but if Brady has room to step up in the pocket and step into his throw, then it won’t matter who the left tackle is. Indianapolis needs to get pressure up the middle and collapse the pocket from the inside out, this way they can flush Brady to the outside where Freeney and Mathis will be waiting. Also getting pressure up the middle should make Brady uncomfortable, and if you can keep his mind on the defensive lineman instead of the secondary and his receivers, then the Colts will have a much better chance of slowing him down. 

There is no question that the Patriots receivers are among the best in the NFL, and having Tom Brady throwing to you doesn’t hurt either. On Sunday it would be foolish to expect our secondary to shut down these receivers, mainly Moss and Welker, without help from the front seven. The less time the secondary has to cover the better, and the more times Brady hits the turf the better. Thus, my key to the game this Sunday will be the ability of the Colts to get pressure on Brady. Even if he is one of the best quarterbacks of all-time, he can’t throw the ball when he is on his back with Mr. Freeney or Mr. Mathis laying on top of him.