Colts and Patriots go head to head

Miami: Two of the most successful NFL teams of the past decade come face to face on Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts host the New England Patriots in a game that could turn out to be a rehearsal for the play-offs.

The Colts are 8-0 this year and although the New Orleans Saints are also 100 per cent from the first half of the season and Minnesota (7-1) look strong, Bill Belichick's Patriots (6-2) are known as a team that hit their stride when it matters most.

With two of the league's most accomplished quarterbacks, Tom Brady of New England and Peyton Manning of the Colts, in their prime, fans can expect some quality passing and game management.

"Anything you get in games like this, you have to earn, they don't beat themselves up," said Colts tight end Dallas Clark who expects a close, tactical encounter.

Smart team

"You think you know what they are going to run, you hope they run what you prepare for but they are smart and can adjust and that is what makes them effective."

In the past 10 years, the Colts and the Pats have won more regular season games than anyone else in the league — Indianapolis have a 122-46 record while New England is 116-52.

In that period, the Colts have featured in nine play-offs, unmatched by any other team in that 10-year period, while the Patriots have been in six post-season campaigns.

If that isn't enough to illustrate the powerful credentials of the two teams — between them, the Patriots and Colts have won half of the last eight Super Bowls.

Record at threat

Amongst all the statistics, there is one that will certainly add a little extra motivation for the Patriots, the Colts are on a winning streak of 17 regular season games and are closing in on the Patriots record of 21 gained between 2006 and 2008.

The Patriots have had the slight edge in recent games with six regular season meetings since 2003 being split evenly, but New England have won two of the three play-off games between the pair.