Jamie Mottram's Sports Blog - www.misterirrelevant.com

***Part three in a four-part series of Divisional round NFL Playoff previews. Read the Seahawks-Redskins and Broncos-Patriots previews, and feel free to contribute by posting your predictions in the comments.***

I'd love to see the Colts lose this game. It'd mean someone other than them playing Super Bowl XL against the Skins on the Ford Field carpet, and despite the enormous respect we all share for Tony Dungy there's an equal amount of distaste for Peyton Manning (and really the brothers Manning).

Plus, who among us can name one defender on their team aside from Dwight Freeney? OK, put your hands down Pigskin Bloggers, I'm addressing those of us who don't watch nine hours of football each NFL Sunday. Regardless, I can't see any scenario whereby Pittsburgh goes into Indy and beats a Colts team that's had 35 days to rest up and put together an unstoppable offensive gameplan.

Here's what bloggers be sayin':

Sportz on Skins says, "Now we will get to see if it is Rest or Rust.  The Colts essentially rested everyone for their final 2 games of the season...and hasn't played a truly meaningful game in a month.  The Steelers, on the other hand, have won 5 games in a row...and needed every one of those wins just to get to this point.  One loss...and the Chiefs would be here right now.  You can laugh off the rust factor....but remember that the Colts rested their main guys in the preseason....and then they struggled with their timing in the first few weeks of the regular season... Colts 27-10"

Blitzburgh says, "The Steelers will cause the rust on the Colts' starters to shine through the finish, and Pittsburgh will win by a field goal, probably in OT, 34-31."

 Peyton vs. Fat Head

My pick? Colts 34-17. What's yours?

Bonus: Hear SI's Peter King break this game down on SBL.

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• #2 Comment from zekebowhunt 
  1/15/06 8:43 AM | Permalink

  i to think it will be a close game bet it will be the steel wing the game the are not giveing the steeleany respect look what the steele have done in there last five games .steele 24-colts21
• #1 Comment from judeej1983 
  1/14/06 3:12 PM | Permalink

  I think it will be a close game but I think the Colts will win.  I think Payton Manning knows exactly how to get the job done, we have the best defense and offense, since Coach Dungy is here, he has a winning team, they all respect each other and work together, and thats what it takes to do the job.