Doesn't this seem a tad bit weird?
The Indianapolis Colts will travel to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots without Peyton Manning on their roster—it almost doesn't seem right.
For many years we have grown accustomed to the rivalry of the Colts and the Patriots—with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady leading the way.
Is this just the end of a rivalry or simply an end to an era?
I'd like to think that it's just an end to an era and the start of the Andrew Luck vs. Tom Brady rivalry.
In that spirit, let's take a look at my bold predictions for New England's Week 11 game against Indy.
1. Andrew Luck will score one rushing touchdown
To many people's surprise, Andrew Luck has actually been a threat running the ball this year. Luck has run for 159 yards this season while punching in five rushing touchdowns—with two of those rushing touchdowns coming on the road.
With that being said, I do see Luck running in for a touchdown against the Patriots Sunday afternoon.
2. Aqib Talib will record one interception as his first game as a Patriot
This is as bold as it's going to get simply because we have no idea how much Aqib Talib will play in his Patriots debut.
However, no matter how much Talib is on the field, I do see him being a factor for the Patriots and will have an impact on the game.
3. Tom Brady will throw three touchdowns
With the Indianapolis Colts being the 15th ranked pass defense as well as giving up 15 passing touchdowns this year, I see Tom Brady having his way with their secondary.
Brady has thrown 18 touchdowns thus far in 2012 and has tossed 10 touchdowns in his last four games.
There's not too many quarterbacks that are throwing the ball like Brady is right now, and there shouldn't be a reason why he won't toss three scores against the Colts.
4. Andrew Luck will throw for 300-plus yards
How bold is this prediction after all? Who doesn't throw for 300 yards against the Patriots?
Coming into Week 11, the Patriots have the fourth worst pass defense in the NFL and there's no doubt in my mind that Luck will shred New England's secondary—even if Aqib Talib is on the field and does record an interception.
Luck has had four 300-plus yards passing games this season and there's no reason to doubt that he'll add yet another one to his total against New England's lowly pass defense—considering that they make every quarterback look like Dan Marino.
5. Stevan Ridley will run for 100-plus yards
The second-year running back out of LSU couldn't really be having a better season than his is right now.
Stevan Ridley has run for 814 yards on the season with 225 of those yards coming in the last two games.
I see Ridley having an impact on Sunday's game and will give Tom Brady some much needed support against the Colts.
Final prediction: New England: 31 Indianapolis: 21
I figure that this game will be pretty close early on, with Andrew Luck having a stellar showing, but I simply don't see him being able to keep up with Tom Brady.
All in all, this will end up being a very impressive game for Luck, but Brady will prove yet again to the NFL why he's one of the league's greatest passers of all-time.
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