Colts at Seahawks - Why it matters

Indianapolis Colts at Seattle Seahawks
Qwest Field
Saturday, 24 December
1615 EST on CBS/ 2115 GMT on Sky Sports One

Strictly speaking, it doesn't, although if all goes according to form these two sides should meet again in Detroit on 5 February. Seattle already have a playoff place wrapped up and are two games ahead of any rival in the fight for home field advantage through to the NFC Championship game while this is certain to be the Colts' last game away from the RCA Dome until the Super Bowl, assuming they get that far.

Everyone has been assuming just that throughout a superb season for Indianapolis, but they plunged back to earth with a bump last weekend, their chance at a perfect record and immortality ruined by San Diego in a 26-17 defeat. The loss confirmed the flaws in the Colts that many had been quietly voicing in previous weeks, although those fears were regularly silenced by firework-filled offensive displays from Peyton Manning and company.

The trouble for them is that the Seahawks possess all the required tools to dismantle the Indy offense and score against their lightning defense. The Colts have been outstanding for the last three seasons, from weeks one to 17. The problems have come when they reach the post season, and sides start to figure out how to deal with them. To have an enjoyable Christmas, they must prove last weekend's loss was nothing more than a blip, allowed because they were not playing with the same intensity that typified their march to the number one seeding in the AFC.

Seattle, unbeaten at home this season, have already beaten several tough teams this year, but this is their biggest game in terms of profile so far this season and it would be an ideal stage to prove their championship credentials once and for all.

NFLBriefing.com