Promotion
Thurman Thomas previews Colts Patriots

Thurman Thomas previews Colts Patriots

By Thurman Thomas

Questions or comments for Thurman? Send him a note at Thurman@nflcanada.com

NFL history is about to be made this Sunday. Never before has the Super Bowl been played in November. Just kidding, sort of. The (8-0) New England Patriots at the (7-0) Indianapolis Colts is not only the most anticipated regular season game in modern NFL history, it would assuredly be a preview of this years’ Super Bowl if the two teams played in different conferences. Both teams are markedly superior to all other teams in the league right now. Here are some interesting side notes to the game.

•The most mind-bending note is that The Colts are 5-point underdogs in the game despite being undefeated, reigning Super Bowl champs and playing at home, chew on that for a minute.

•Tom Brady is having the best season of any quarterback in NFL history. His counterpart in the game, Peyton Manning owns the record for most touchdown passes in a season and is one of the most successful QB’s to ever play the game.

•As I wrote last week, the Colts’ Bob Sanders has my vote for Defensive player of the year.

•This is the first time in NFL history that two teams have met this late in the season, with both being undefeated.

•Don’t underestimate how motivated the Colts will be for this game, I know they’re professional athletes and they are paid to be motivated, but they’re also human, and it is really going to grate on them to hear all week how awesome the Patriots are and that they (the Colts) are underdogs at home despite being undefeated and defending Super Bowl champs.

Despite the Colts added motivation, my outlook on the game is simple, the Patriots will score, and maybe not 50, but they will get in the high 30’s. So it comes down to how effective the Colts offense can be at home against New England’s’ defense. My guess is not enough; therefore I’m picking the Pats by fourteen.

Around the league:

•One of my picks, as a team to watch, the Detroit Lions are (5-2) one game back of the Packers in the NFC north and playing good football.

•My other pick The Houston Texans are stumbling at (3-5)

•The Buffalo Bills have a full-blown quarterback controversy albeit somewhat doused by the wrist injury to Trent Edwards. If J.P. Losman has a great game and the Bills beat the Bengals this Sunday at home, look for the following week to be very interesting in Bill’s country.

Speaking of the Bills and Bengals game this Sunday, I Will be attending on behalf of NFL Canada to help celebrate their “Canada road trip”. See you there.

Thurman Thomas

Buffalo Bills legend Thurman Thomas rushed for 1,000 yards in eight consecutive seasons, was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls, and was named NFL MVP in 1991. Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007, and is now an NFL ambassador in Canada and will be making community and charitable appearances on behalf of the league north of the border.