There is nothing like a good rivalry, especially in the National Football League. “The Catch” between Joe Montana and Dwight Clark and ex-49er Terrell Owens standing at the Star at the Dallas 50-yard line are defining moments in the rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys.

Jim Kelly’s Buffalo Bills domination of Dan Marino’s Dolphins throughout the 1990’s helped fuel the hatred between the two AFC East teams.

So it is with the current incarnations of the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. Peyton and company are once again chasing the 1972 Miami Dolphins and their latest obstacle on the road to perfection is Brady’s bunch. The last time they were in Gillette, the Colts covered as a 4-point chalk, winning 40-21.

The fact that this game is on primetime is icing on the cake.

Sunday, November 5, 2006

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - Gillette Stadium (Grass)

Line: Pats -3 (Opening: Pats -2)

Over/Under: 48 (Opening: 47)

Key Points: The Colts’ injury ward is still looking full with notables less than 100 percent. DT Montae Reagor is still out with a fracture to his facial bone and WR Brandon Stokley is likely to do the same with banged up knee.

Although key special teamers Hunter Smith and Adam Vinatieri are still listed with groin injuries, both played last week and are listed as probable for this week.

LB Dwight Freeney, S Bob Sanders, LB Keith O’Neil and RB Dominic Rhodes are questionable with shoulder, knee, ankle and back injuries.

Rhodes’ partner in the backfield and rookie RB Joseph Addai is also listed as questionable with a wrist injury, which could cause problems for Indy’s running game.

The New England Patriots aren’t exactly the picture of health either, with some key players licking wounds.

DT Richard Seymour’s status is the same as last week against Minnesota, questionable with an elbow injury. It should be noted that he saw action in the Monday nighter though.

S Eugene Wilson continues to be bothered by his hamstring, WR Reche Caldwell, who caught seven passes on MNF, is nursing a sore knee, prize rookie RB Laurence Maroney has a thigh injury and OT Matt Light has a hand injury. All are listed as questionable as well.

All players on the Pats’ injury report practiced on Friday.

When playing teams that are above .500 at Gillette, the Patriots have taken 67 percent of their last 51 against the spread.

Indianapolis beat Denver 34-31 last week and beat Washington 36-22 the week previous. That’s good news if you’re a Colt supporter as Indy has paid out on 12 of 15 occasions when scoring 25 points in two consecutive games.

The fact the total is at 48 might not bode well for Patriot backers, who are 2-11 ATS when the over/under is between 45½ and 49.

The Patriots are also 1-2 at home this year against the number when listed as a chalk.

Winneronline Opinion: The numbers are leaning towards the Colts, but then again it’s the Patriots that they're playing.

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