Mag 7-Jets

Oehser tells us what to think about

7. The rest of the story. Just about anyone writing about the Indianapolis Colts in recent weeks has written it so much that it sort of becomes formulaic – how the Colts pulled starters QB Peyton Manning, WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark with just over five minutes remaining in a 29-15 loss to the Jets in December. Now that the Colts are playing the Jets in the AFC Championship Game, that event has become the touchstone for many storylines, and it has become vogue for those analyzing the matchup to point out that it was just a five-point Colts lead when those players left. That angle leaves out something that may be far more pertinent and that’s that the Colts held significant starters out of that game entirely because of injuries, starters such as DE Robert mathis, CB Jerraud Powers, WR Pierre Garcon and LT Charlie Johnson. Those players may not be quite as significant as the aforementioned trio, but Powers and Mathis are two of the top five players on the Colts’ defense this season, and with CB Darrelle Revis guarding Wayne on one side, it’s hard to overestimate the importance of Garcon’s absence. The field felt shorter in December than usual against the Jets and the absence of Garcon to stretch it was a big reason. And don’t forget: The Jets scored just one offensive touchdown in that game. Can they beat the Colts with that offensive output? We’ll see.