With all the hype that came with two great Quarterbacks playing against each other in the playoffs, this game became one of the most one sided matches of the playoff season. Despite the Colts opting to drop back Andrew Luck 23 times in the first half, they only had 12 positive plays come out of it, a success rate barely passing 50% which includes two penalties. How did the Patriots do it?
Rob Ninkovich Will Break You
The Patriots were well aware of the Colts potent passing attack and had to figure out a way to keep them from being able to stretch the field, which they would try to do plenty of times in the first half calling for verticals, deep ins, posts, and corner routes. The Patriots even dared them to try by only rushing four players on each down and playing with one deep safety for a majority of the half. You know what stops deep routes from getting hit though, pressure and coverage.
If there was a game ball given for just the first half of a game, Ninkovich would be far and away the obvious candidate for the most valuable player. He managed to beat his man and force Luck to move in the pocket 8 times by my count (with some help from Chandler Jones) and bat down 2 passes in just two quarters of football.… Article continues here
