Arizona Cardinals: Colts Game is a Toss Up

Dec. 30, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians talk during pre-game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Today the Cardinals are taking on the 7-3 Colts. The Colts are a team that make very few mistakes with only having 38 penalties with only 313 penalty yards. They only have 11 turnovers, they are tied for second fewest in the league, but they have been starting their games off slow.

In their last three games, they`ve been outscored 35-0 in the first quarter and outscored 66-9 in the first half. So far this season the Cardinals have started off pretty good and they continue to get better as the game goes on. The Colts so far have only scored four touchdowns this season in the first quarter and have trailed at halftime seven times in ten games this season. That means the Colts are great at coming back to win at the end of their games.

If this was last season, I`d have to say that the Cardinals will end up losing this game today with them always giving getting beat up on after halftime. So far this season, the Cards play better after the game goes on and the secondary buckles down after halftime. If the Colts end up starting off slow like they have been, the Cards should have the upper hand the whole game.

The Colts have been 11-0 when they rush the ball 30 times in a game,but they are facing one of the best run stopping defenses in the league. Trent Richardson will start today but he was limited in practice on friday with a calf injury and is going to be facing an up hill battle. If the Colts are going to have a chance to win, they are going to have to lean on Andrew Luck.

The Colts are without Reggie Wayne, but T.Y. Hillton has filled his shoes. The other receivers on the other hand are`nt doing so good with only 15 catches out of 41 throws and a total of 147 yards. Even with the lack of talent at receiver, the Cards are going to have to watch out for Darrius Heyward-Bey`s speed with Luck`s arm.

With the other receivers being sub par, the Colts have been leaning on the running backs coming out of the backfield and Coby Fleener is help with the passing game. The Cards have had trouble giving up points to the opposing tight ends, but with the lack of receivers, I think the defense should do fine in the game.

The Colts are 4-1 on the road this year and the Cards are 4-1 at home so it`s a fight for 5-1. Today is going to be a good match up, but if the Colts start of slow and let the Cards go up 14-0 like they did with the Titans, I`m going to have to say the Cards get the win. If the Colts start off hot and stay hot, I believe the game is probably going to be a nail bitter with the winner being the team who gets the ball last with enough time left on the clock.