Belichick, Manning challenge each other

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – When Bill Belichick faces Peyton Manning, he designs something special.

It could be a different look, a shift before the snap, a new blitz or even a slight change in coverage.

Belichick won’t give away secrets, but whatever he does usually works.

“It starts with good players,” Manning said. “You combine that with some schemes out the wazoo. They give you a little bit of everything, so you’ve got to be very patient against them.”

Manning’s next challenge comes Sunday when Belichick’s Patriots (9-2) visit Indianapolis (9-2) in a critical matchup between AFC playoff contenders.

The Colts need a win to stay atop the South, while the East-leading Patriots could clinch a playoff spot with a win – and a lot of help. The winner also could have an early edge in the race for home-field advantage for at least part of the playoffs.

And, as usual, the outcome will likely hinge on the head games between Belichick and Manning.

“We’ll try to mix it up,” New England cornerback Ty Law said. “If you show him something all the time, Peyton will eat you up, so we’ll mix it up.”

In their eight previous meetings, which have been split 4-4, Manning has sometimes played well and even has one game with a perfect passer rating.

But Belichick usually has had the advantage.

Against one of the league’s most consistent players, Belichick’s defenses have forced Manning to throw more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (11) and play some of his worst games. Three times, Manning’s passer rating has been less than 55.

While Belichick discounts the notion he knows how to stop Manning and the Colts, Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy doesn’t believe it’s that complex.

“What they try and do is take away what you do best and force you to go to second and third options,” Dungy said.

Against the Colts, that could be dangerous.

Manning is having the best season of his career, Edgerrin James is beginning to produce 100-yard games, and a healthier Marvin Harrison will be back in the lineup.

The Colts’ other options are pretty good, too. Reggie Wayne is having a career year, and rookie tight end Dallas Clark is blossoming into a legitimate receiving threat.

So Belichick must bring his best blueprint Sunday.

“I think you have to hold on for dear life, that’s all,” Belichick said. “There’s so many weapons and it all starts with Peyton.”

Manning, who has never missed a start, had a scare Wednesday when he felt a twinge in his right elbow. He was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but an MRI came back negative and he is expected to play Sunday.

Injuries, however, have become merely a speed bump for New England and Indianapolis.

The Patriots have started 22 players on offense, 20 on defense.

The Colts, meanwhile, have played various games this year without James, Harrison, former Pro Bowl tight end Marcus Pollard or starting left tackle Tarik Glenn. Glenn will be out again Sunday, and Pollard may be, too.

Yet both teams continued to win, and a victory Sunday would give New England its first eight-game winning streak in franchise history.

“It takes someone, someone to make the plays,” Dungy said. “They’ve had guys out, but they’ve found a way to do it.”

There are other similarities, too.

Both teams have rallied for wins, been successful on the road and given themselves a shot at playing at home in January.

The difference is the Colts rely on offense, the Patriots on defense.

Indianapolis enters with the NFL’s No. 2 offense, the league’s best passing offense and arguably its best quarterback.

New England has the league’s No. 7 defense – and Belichick.

“They’re all tough,” Belichick said of the Colts’ players. “We’re just trying to find a way to be competitive against them.”

Given Belichick’s track record against Manning, the Patriots can count on it.

The Patriots have held opposing quarterbacks to a 57.7 rating this year. Law, who has returned two of his four interceptions against the Colts for TDs, hopes Belichick’s design works again.

“I’m looking forward to playing against Peyton because he’s a great competitor,” Law said. “For us, it will be a challenge.”