NFL Sunday

After an incredible night of college football on Saturday, it is now time for the professionals to take center stage. For myself and most of America, football is the focus of the entire Sunday during the fall, and as Thanksgiving approaches, the games contain more and more importance. There are many different story-lines entering the week; backup quarterbacks are starting in what seems like every other game, the most notable being for the Steelers, Eagles and Bears. A rookie out of Arizona, Nick Foles, takes over for the struggling Eagles, while a couple of veterans, Byron Leftwich and Jason Campbell, start for the Steelers and Bears respectively. However, the biggest story is the late afternoon matchup in Foxboro, between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots. The rivalry could be renewed after taking a year off last year with no Peyton Manning. 

This year the Colts have a new quarterback in Andrew Luck, and have rode him to their current 6-3 record. While Indianapolis has been rejuvenated by their rookie quarterback, the Patriots have had a quiet year thus far. Currently sitting at 6-3, and atop the AFC East, the Patriots have struggled at times this season on defense, and even offensively in the 4th quarter. Despite this, it does seem like the team is prime for a second half run going towards the playoffs. The Patriots have ended the past two regular seasons on eight game winning streaks. Currently on a three game winning streak, New England seems to be ready to get rolling offensively. 

The real intriguing aspect to this game is the showdown between the two starting quarterbacks: rookie Andrew Luck and perennial MVP candidate Tom Brady. One is veteran who has won three Super Bowls, and two MVP awards, while the other is a rookie standout, who is trying to help rebuild the Colts franchise. While the two are both great quarterbacks, there is also such a contrast between the two. One was drafted late in the sixth round, while the other was just recently selected number one overall. One went to the University of Michigan, while the other was on the west coast studying at Stanford. Despite all that, the two have both produced similar numbers this season, in terms of yards. Luck has thrown for 2631 yards, and Brady is just ahead of him at 2645 yards, but there is a difference in other statistics. Brady has thrown 18 touchdown passes with a 100.1 passer rating, while Luck has only thrown ten touchdown passes and has a 79.1 passer rating. 

Brady and the Patriots do have the edge heading into this game at home, but if the Colts can come into Foxboro and pull off the upset, one could really start talking Luck for MVP.