2. Will the Colts finally pay for being one-dimensional, or will it be the Jets that regret being unbalanced? Indianapolis has run for more than 100 yards only once in its past 11 games. Last week it averaged a paltry 1.7 yards a carry against the Ravens. If the Colts can’t run effectively, New York, which led the league in run defense, will have an extra defender to use in pass coverage because it won’t have to drop a safety into the box for run support, and it’ll also have a deeper playbook in which to delve.
Coach Rex Ryan will be able to get even more creative with his pressure packages, something safety Kerry Rhodes alluded to when he told The New York Daily News: “We are going to try to dictate, have some say-so in what [the Colts do]. Even with Peyton Manning, you get to him a couple of times, he’s going to rush his throw. The pressure can affect the way he throws. You don’t have to sack him.”
The Jets have been equally one-dimensional on offense, although it has been with their run game. They’ve leaned heavily on backs Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones in hopes of protecting rookie QB Mark Sanchez, who has thrown only one pick (and two TDs) in the playoffs. Greene, a rookie, has run for more than 100 yards and a touchdown in each of the team’s playoff games and will face an Indy front that makes up for what it lacks in size with speed and tenacity. Baltimore ran for only 87 yards last week, but averaged 4.6 yards a carry.
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