NFL Playoffs: Each team’s X-factor and red flag

Who is going to step up for Andrew Luck in Foxboro?

Indianapolis Colts X Factor

The Colts went on the road last week to beat Peyton Manning and the Broncos. If they hope to advance to the Super Bowl, they’re going to have to put forth an even greater effort by beating the Patriots on the road. The Colts won in Denver with a defensive performance that nobody saw coming.

The question remains, was that a function of facing a rapidly deteriorating Manning who can no longer throw deep, or is it more a matter of getting hot at the right time?

The Colts obviously hope it’s the latter. In fact, their defense has defied expectations and played pretty well at times this season. They ranked 12th against the pass, which will come in handy when facing Brady in the cold weather.

Luck will absolutely need to put up an efficient and deadly attack similar to his previous playoff performances against Cincinnati and Denver. Even more important, however, is that in these two games the Colts have surrendered a total of 23 points. If they can hold the Pats down, they have a chance to advance to the Super Bowl.

Indianapolis Colts Red Flag

The Colts are continuing to win despite the utter lack of a ground game. Trent Richardson was a healthy scratch in Denver, leaving the sole rushing duties to unheralded Daniel Herron. Herron has provided just barely enough in the run game in the playoffs to hold off Cincinnati and Denver. At some point, the lack of a running game is going to come back to haunt Indianapolis.

Against New England’s high powered offense, Indianapolis is going to have to come up with some way to keep them off the field. After all, the Patriots feature a quarterback whose arm likely won’t fall off during the game, unlike their previous opponent.

Next: Is this the year Belichick and Brady finally get back in the habit of winning Super Bowls?