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It's the made-the-championship-game-the-season-before stuff that could be the most meaningful similarity between the 2005 Steelers and 2009 Ravens. The Steelers in 2004 were a dominant team much of the season, finishing the season 15-1 and pushing New England at times during the title game. They entered the following season as favorites to contend for the Super Bowl, and after playing well at times early, needed a late-season push to squeeze into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. Once there, they looked little like a No. 6 seed and as the weeks wore on, more and more like a dominant team deserving of a Super Bowl title.
It's too early to categorize the Ravens as such, but they did enter the season with many believing them Super Bowl contenders and at times early this season, they maintained that buzz.
On Sunday, they very much looked deserving of it again. They led the Patriots 24-0 by the end of the first quarter, and though the Patriots had looked vulnerable defensively much of the season – and although without receiver Wes Welker, they lacked the options to score enough points for a playoff run – they're still the Patriots, and one-sided postseason victories over New England in Foxboro come along rarely, if ever.
The Colts certainly watched Sunday, and if so, they certainly saw what they can't do against the Ravens You can't allow game-breaking running plays, and you can't commit turnovers early and let Baltimore get a big lead. The Ravens' defense isn't what it was in its prime, but it's experienced and talented enough to spike away a double-digit lead.
The Ravens' performance Sunday undoubtedly will worry Colts fans, and it will make them a trendy pick to not only beat the Colts for the Super Bowl, but push toward the Super Bowl. Perhaps they will, before you get too hung up the history of 2004 and the dangers that presents for the Colts remember that Indianapolis, too, has recent history on its side. The Colts have played Ravens eight times since 2002, Tony Dungy's first season as the Colts' head coach. They have won all eight meetings.
Still, because the Colts are the No. 1 seed and because they opted to focus on the postseason rather than pursue 16-0 and lost their final two games, there will be a lot of talk this week about the Colts' weaknesses and why they will lose to the Ravens. Those making the argument doubtless will include the similarities to 2005 – the Colts' late-season approach and also the Ravens' similarities to the Steelers.
Only time – five days as of Monday morning – will tell how right they are, but things needs to get dissimilar quickly if the Colts want an extended postseason stay.
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MORE COLTS NEWS BYE WEEK FOCUS ON FUNDAMENTALS. HERE. POPULAR OR NOT, COLS EARNED RIGHT TO CHOOSE LATE-SEASON APPROACH. HERE. WHAT THE COLTS WILL BE WATCHING WILD-CARD WEEKEND. HERE. Reviewing Bill Polian's weekly radio show . . . * Part One: "The past is prologue." Here. * Part Two: Pursuing milestones "right decision." Here. * Part Three: Colts could be fully healthy entering postseason. Here. * Part Four: Difficulties against New York fatigue, not rust. Here. COFFEE WITH THE COLTS. NEXT-DAY LOOK AT COLTS-BILLS. HERE. BILLS 30, COLTS 7. HERE. MANNING: WE NEED TO PUT LAST WEEKEND BEHIND US. HERE. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS OWNER JIM IRSAY SUPPORTED DECISION AGAINST JETS. HERE. AN UNBEATEN SEASON THAT WASN'T: A FINAL LOOK AT AN UNRESOLVABLE CONFLICT. HERE FREENEY: PRO BOWL NEVER GETS OLD. HERE TE DALLAS CLARK, QB PEYTON MANNING AMONG SIX PRO BOWLERS FOR COLTS. HERE. * POLIAN: "16-0 WAS NEVER THE FOCUS." HERE. FOURTH MVP WOULD CEMENT MANNING'S STATUS AS BEST EVER. HERE CALDWELL: "THAT'S WHAT WE DO. WE STAND BY IT AND LIVE BY IT" HERE. DOES PEYTON MANNING GET TOO MUCH RESPECT? HERE POLIANS' CONTRACTS EXTENDED. HERE COLTS FANS OWE RB JOSEPH ADDAI AN APOLOGY. HERE *** CATCH UP WITH ALL THINGS COLTS ON INDY FOOTBALL REPORT. HERE *** READ JOHN OEHSER'S INDIANA PACERS COVERAGE. HERE.
Comments
I'm sure you've realized this already, but for those who haven't, the appropriate response to this argument is that though the '10 Ravens may be the '06 Steelers, the '10 Colts are much better than the '06 Colts.
Hear hear mathew! This Colts look not just similiar, but better to that year's team (battle hardened by a month of comebacks,a more experienced Peyton, a more consistent rushing game, a trusty defense) and the next year's Championship team. Oh, and if they want to keep talking about history repeating itself, they just have to look at the 8-0 record since 2002. Yes, it will be a very tough game, but the Colts will win it.
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