Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts are built differently than other teams. Where most teams have a #1, #2, #3, etc receiver, the Colts seem to have a #1, followed by a group of #2's. Even with Anthony Gonzalez going down early in the season, the Colts passing machine never missed a step. Rookie Austin Collie and two-year vet Pierre Garcon not only picked up their own game to compensate, but they now lead the team in receptions and receiving yards in the postseason. Reggie Wayne is still target #1, though, as he should be. The receiving numbers are skewed due to Wayne being shut down by Darrelle Revis in the AFC Championship game. At tight end, the Colts have the best of both worlds. The prototypical blocking end of years passed is being replaced by tall, play-making ends who don't block well. Somehow, they found themselves with a hybrid of both. At 6' 3", Clark is one of the teams tallest receivers, and at 252 lbs, he is just 40 less than the Colts smallest lineman. Somehow, with all that size, he finds ways to make big plays downfield. This year, he had his first 100-reception and first 1,000-yard season. He also tied Wayne with a team-leading 10 TDs this season.
Colts Receivers vs Saints Defensive Backs:
The beauty of having a group of #2 receivers is that defenses can't match up. The Jets had an answer for Reggie Wayne and contained Dallas Clark, but they couldn't stop Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. Where most teams match up LBs and safeties with a teams lower receivers, the Colts have too much talent for that kind of gameplan. As long as they can stay on the same page as Peyton Manning, any receiver on this team can blow up for a big game at any time.
New Orleans Saints:
Saints receivers aren't flashy, they just make big plays. Four members of the Saints receiving corps have receptions over 50 yards. Those same four also have over 500 yards receiving, each. What the Saints don't have is a dominant receiver that Drew Brees can keep going to. After Marques Colston's team-leading 70 receptions, six players have between 35 and 51 catches each. For a team that relies on passing to score and running to drain the clock with a lead, spreading the ball is good. However, with Colston shut down by Darrelle Revis in Week 4, Brees was forced to throw a lot of dump-off passes, couldn't top 200 yards, and the team only scored 10 offensive points. I would be concerned if the loss of one offensive weapon had that much effect on my team.
Saints Receivers vs Colts Defensive Backs:
Thankfully for the Saints, the Colts don't have a Darrelle Revis-calibre corner. Their receivers may not be the tallest in the league, but they have speed on their side. They use that speed to their advantage, but lack the ability to make plays to get open if you take that away from them. One receiver may have a big game against the fast Colts secondary, but as a group, they'll be limited.
Edge: Indianapolis Colts
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4 years ago
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