NFL Playoffs

AFC

INDIANAPOLIS (14-4)

at NEW ENGLAND (15-2)

When: Sunday, noon,

Channel 2

Line: Patriots by 3.

Injuries: INDIANAPOLIS -- out: TE Dallas Clark (ankle); questionable: S Idrees Bashir (shoulder); probable: S Cory Bird (shoulder), S Mike Doss (ankle), CB Nick Harper (back), CB Walt Harris (knee), WR Marvin Harrison (chest), DE Robert Mathis (groin), G Tupe Peke (shoulder), TE Marcus Pollard (ankle), CB Donald Strickland (knee/shoulder). NEW ENGLAND -- out: G Damien Woody (knee).

Story line: When the teams met during the regular season, the Patriots took a 17-point lead and then had to hold off a Peyton Manning-led fourth-quarter rally by the Colts in a 38-34 victory. Indianapolis has been impressive in playoff victories over Denver and Kansas City, averaging 39 points a game. New England has won 13 games in a row, including a tough 17-14 victory over Tennessee last week.

Key matchups: Indianapolis’ Manning vs. New England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel: Manning has ripped apart blitzes this season but now faces Crennel’s complex schemes. Indianapolis’ offensive line vs. New England’s Richard Seymour: The Colts need a dominant blocking game to slow the Patriots’ most disruptive defensive lineman. New England’s Ty Law and Tyrone Poole vs. Indianapolis’ Marvin Harrison: The Patriot cornerback duo can’t let the Colts’ leading receiver run free.

When the Colts have the ball: Manning’s ability to exploit secondaries has made the Colt offense nearly unstoppable. Offensive coordinator Tom Moore has put together a package that does a great job of balancing an Edgerrin James-led running attack and Manning’s ball-control passing. Tackle Tarik Glenn may be the most dominating player of the playoffs.

When the Patriots have the ball: Quarterback Tom Brady isn’t flashy, but he knows how to win by spreading the ball around and managing an offense. Brady can beat you with an array of weapons. The Patriots have an underrated group of receivers with second-year players Deion Branch and David Givens complementing veterans Troy Brown and Dedric Ward. Power running back Antowain Smith and steady Kevin Faulk work well together at home. The Patriot kick returners also will play a key role.

*--* HOW THEY MATCH UP Ind. N.E. Pts. scored 27.9 (2) 21.8 (12) Pts. allowed 21.0 (20) 14.9 (1) Pass off. 261.2 (1) 214.5 (9) Rush off. 105.9 (19) 100.4 (27) Total off. 367.1 (3) 314.9 (17) Pass def. 175.6 (5) 202.0 (15) Rush def. 123.8 (20) 89.6 (4) Total def. 299.4 (11) 291.6 (7) Turnovers 20 (2) 24 (8) Note: Regular-season rank in parentheses

*--*

Bottom line: Manning is the hottest quarterback of the playoffs, but the weather conditions and Patriot defense will slow the Colt offense. The key will be whether New England can score enough points. You have to like Brady’s chances.