Building Momentum
a win this week could bring two home playoff games
written by Stephen Conway

Coming off a last second victory over the tenacious Browns, the Colts hope to prove this week that they have learned from last week's mistakes. The team certainly knows that a repeat performance of last week's effort will result in a loss to a more seasoned and more talented Buffalo team.

And, unlike the Bills, who cannot improve their playoff position, the Colts have added incentive to finish the season with their fourteenth victory. With a victory, the Colts could clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. In order for this to happen, however, the Jacksonville Jaguars must lose. If Jacksonville wins, a more complicated scenario could still result in the Colts gaining the home field advantage. If the Colts and Jaguars finish the season with identical records, several tiebreakers are used to determine home field. Because the two teams are tied through the first three such tiebreaks, the fourth tiebreak (net points in conference games) will be the decisive one.   The Jaguars possess a 14 point advantage (Jags at +81, Colts at +67). Confused? Put simply, if the Colts can win big against Buffalo, it is stil possible they could wrest home field from the Jaguars.

Scoreboard watching is for fans, though. The Colts will look for a win any way they can get it on the frozen wind-swept field of Rich Stadium. Even with backup Rob Johnson starting to rest Doug Flutie for the playoffs, defeating the Bills will be a tough task. Their defense isranked first in the league and is stacked with stalwart all-pros and future Hall of Famer Bruce Smith. Their offense is balanced and opportunistic. It will require the kind of effort the team has put forth in clutch games time and again this season. There are no handouts in this league. If the Colts are going to win, they are going to have to go out and earn it.

Matchups
Breakdowns of the key matchups on offense, defense, and special teams.

Game Prediction
Defense is the key to this game. The Colts defense must create chaos for the Bills' offense early and often. By limiting the Bills' running game, the Colts can prevent Rob Johnson from getting comfortable in the pocket. While our explosive offense may have its hands full running up the score, I think we have too many weapons and too balanced an attack for the Bills to keep us out of the end zone. If the defense can keep the game close, it will put added pressure on the Bills to stop us every time. Look for a close, low scoring affair with the Colts emerging victorious. Let's just hope Cincinnati can do us a favor by beating Jacksonville!

Score: Colts 14  Bills 10

Next Opponent
Buffalo Bills
01/02/2000

when: 1:00 EST
where: Buffalo
TV: CBS

Game Prediction

Matchups:
Offense
Defense
Special Teams

Archive:
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1999 Schedule