Patriots cool off Colts

Bill Belichick's game plan against the Indianapolis Colt's was just phenomenal on Sunday.

The New England Patriots defense shut down Peyton Manning, the hottest quarterback in the playoffs.

Manning's numbers for the day were 23 completions in 47 attempts, with one touchdown and one interception, a far cry from his MVP like numbers against the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

The New England Patriots were 13-0 at home in Foxboro going into the game.

Patriots QB, Tom Brady, had not thrown an interception in 282 attempts at home, while Manning was 0-4 against the Patriots.

New England won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball first.

In the Patriots first drive, Brady picked away at the Colts defense, with spread out formations that allowed his wide receivers to get open for the short passes.

Then the bold move by Belichick to go for it on fourth and one, set the momentum for this game right away, and the Patriots went down the field to score.

After the Patriots scored, Manning came right out and led the Colts into the red zone only to come away with his first interception in the playoffs.

A pass that was intended for TE Marcus Robinson was picked of in the end zone by CB Rodney Harrison.

The interception led to a 31-yard field goal by K Adam Vinatieri, to put the Patriots up 10-0 starting the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Patriots defense dominated the Colts again and intercepted Manning again -- this time it was CB Ty Law, who already has a career five interceptions against him.

As the Patriots were moving for yet another score, DB Nick Harper of the Colts put a big hit on WR Bethel Johnson causing a fumble, which the Colts recovered.

The Colts' couldn't move the ball, which brought about the appearance of Hunter Smith, the Colt's punter who hadn't had a punt attempt in the first two playoff games.

Long Snapper Justin Snow snapped the ball over Smith's head and the result led to a New England safety when Smith kicked the ball out of the end zone.

Another FG by Adam Vinatieri made the score New England 15, Indianapolis 0 as the half came to a close.

At halftime, Indianapolis head coach Tony Dungy said that turnovers were the reason issue his team was behind and that they must do a better job in the second half.

The Colts received the second half kickoff and had some success in moving the ball against the very physical Patriots defense.

The Colts used RB Edgerrin James and Dominick Rhoades to move down the field.

The result led to a touchdown run by James to cut the lead to 15-7.

Just when it looked like Indianapolis was getting back on track, Manning was picked off once again by Law.

Walking to the sidelines, Manning just shook his head in disgust.

New England went on to add two more FG'S to extend their lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Patriots were now 15 minutes away from a trip to the Super Bowl.

Brady had been flawless and the defense was just to much for the Colts.

The Patriots defense sacked Peyton Manning three times and intercepted him four times.

Law came away with another interception, giving him three for the game and giving Manning a headache that just wouldn't go away.

Manning's favorite target, WR Marvin Harrison, had been held to three receptions for 20 yards, the longest catch only being eight yards.

The Colts got some life when TE Marcus Pollard scored on a seven-yard touchdown drive with 2:27 left in the fourth quarter.

The Colts then tried an onside kickoff that failed and set up K Adam Vinatieri for his fifth field goal of the game to give the Patriots a 24-14 win.

As Manning walked off the field, Brady came over to console him after the tough loss.

Belichick, what can you say about him but -- awesome!

He definitely knows how to get into Manning's head and showed once and for all why he is such a brilliant head coach.