The rivalry between the New England Patriots and Indianopolis Colts is perhaps the best of the new millenium. Say what you want about its lack of longevity (let's face it, this is only interesting because Tom Brady and Peyton Manning make it interesting) compared to longtime spats like Chiefs/Raiders, frankly, it doesn't matter. Games between the Pats and the Colts have become events in of themselves. Two years ago the AFC Championship was dubbed the "real" Super Bowl. The regular season matchups between these two draw more media attention and hoopla then some playoff games.
What is it that made this clash of titans so intriguing initially? It's a simple tale of Beauty & the Beast. The Colts were the beauty. Peyton Manning standing tall in the pocket, casually lofting tight spirals 50 yards into the outstretched hands of a horizontal Marvin Harrison. Silky smooth running back Edgerrin James calmly picking his way through opposing defenses. Even the defense had an element of grace to it, with Dwight Freeney deftly spinning past flat-footed offensive linemen for countless sacks. The Colts epitomized the elegance of brilliant offensive football, choosing to beat opponents with their talent, smarts, and skill rather than strength. What made them great was also what made them weak. They were dome babies, choosing to fly around of fake turf fields while the other boys had to play outside.
The Patriots were their foil. They won ugly, they won with grit and heart. What they lacked in talent they made up for with hard work and delivering big plays when it counted. Their offense was a ticky-tack, stringing together long drives compromised of short/midrange passes to guys like Kevin Faulk and David Givens, with tough short yardage gains by Antowain Smith. Defense was a matter of bending without breaking. This was a team that beat teams with players like Randall Gay (undrafted), Earthwind Moreland (practice player), and Troy Brown (veteran wide receiver) on defense. They weren't the best players, they weren't the fastest or the strongest, but they played hard and found ways to win (say, for example, by stopping the Colts four times on the goal line with seconds left in the game).
Games between these teams were glorious showcases of the struggle between polar opposite approaches. One year we'd witness the underdog Pats dominating a Colts team unhinged by complex defensive formations and an icy snow storm. Another year we'd be treated to the true offensive fireworks of the Colts offensive as they ran the Pats straight out of the RCA Dome. It was about Toughness Vs. Talent, Grit Vs. Polish, Strength Vs. Skill. In short, it was everything a true rivalry should be.
But not anymore. The rivalry is all but dead. It has been reduced to nothing more than a perennial matchup of dominant teams. There's no contrast, no counter-balancing, no difference. These teams have become effectively mirror images of one another. The Patriots have softened (anyone who watched the way the Giants beat them with physical defense and aggressiveness should agree). They have the same vertical passing attack (Brady to Randy Moss/Wes Welker vs. Manning to Harrison/Reggie Wayne), the same power running backs (Laurence Maroney vs. Joseph Addai), even the same pass catching tight ends (Ben Watson vs. Dallas Clark). The Patriots defense has become softer while the Colts defense has got tougher (Bob Sanders anyone?). The net result? Two teams almost indistinguishable from one another save for their supposed "rivalry".
This contest between juggernauts has lost its character. Whereas a game played between the Colts and Pats used to be akin to a battle between black & white, north & south, skill & strength, now it stands as just another tough game on the schedule for two teams headed to the playoffs. The media can say whatever they want- frankly, this rivalry appears dead. You know what? It's a shame.
