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Wednesday, October 13
Updated: October 15, 12:01 AM ET
 
Baxter Bits: Colts vs. Jets

By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com

The Colts head to East Rutherford to face the New York Jets.

The Colts own a healthy 34-24 overall advantage in this rivalry (one of their defeats the infamous 16-7 loss in Super Bowl III at Miami's Orange Bowl) and have dominated this rivalry as of late, prevailing in 18 of the last 24 meetings dating back to 1987 (including a replacement win in '87 at Indianapolis).

Last season, these divisional rivals split their season series for the second straight year. In Week 3 at Giants Stadium, Jets RB Curtis Martin rushed for 144 yards, QB Vinny Testaverde threw for 203 yards and four scores (1 INT) and RB Leon Johnson totaled 134 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns as Bill Parcells' club rolled up 505 yards of total offense (including 302 rushing) in a 44-6 triumph.

Two months later at the RCA Dome (Week 11), Colts QB Peyton Manning threw for 276 yards and 3 touchdowns (2 INTs), including a 14-yard TD pass to TE Marcus Pollard with :24 to play, and PK Mike Vanderjagt's PAT gave Indianapolis an exciting 24-23 victory.

The Colts are 11-6 lifetime (10-5 vs. Jets, 1-1 vs. Giants) at the Meadowlands dating back to 1979, and have prevailed in nine of the last 12 battles with the Jets at East Rutherford dating back to '87.

Worth noting is that 10 of the last 15 meetings between these clubs have been decided by seven or fewer points dating back to the clubs' second meeting in 1991.

Numbers: The Colts have outscored the opposition a combined 34-3 in the first quarter in four games in '99. After throwing just three touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in his first four games, Colts QB Peyton Manning has thrown 33 TD passes and 23 interceptions in his last 16 contests dating back to '98, throwing two or more touchdown passes in four straight games and 11 of his last 15 contests. However, Manning has thrown two or more interceptions in eight of his last 13 contests. After allowing an AFC-high 62 sacks in 16 games in 1997, the Colts have allowed just 24 sacks in their last 20 games dating back to '98. After allowing 11 sacks in their first four games in 1998, the Colts have allowed just 13 sacks in their last 16 contests, giving up zero sacks in 10 of those 16 contests. WR Marvin Harrison has scored at least one touchdown in four straight games.

During the Bill Parcells Era with the Jets (1997-99), QB Vinny Testaverde has thrown 31 touchdown passes and just 11 interceptions while being sacked only 21 times in 17 games with the team. However, five other Jets quarterbacks (since-departed Neil O'Donnell and Glenn Foley, as well as Ray Lucas, Tom Tupa and Rick Mirer) have combined to throw 25 TD passes and 16 interceptions while being sacked 68 times. The Jets have allowed 20 sacks in five games in '99, this after allowing just 25 sacks in 16 games in '98. Including playoffs, the Jets have allowed just 189 points in 14 wins (17 or fewer points in 11 of those contests) while giving up 227 points in nine losses in their last 23 games dating back to '98. Including playoffs, they have committed just 18 turnovers in 14 wins, 25 turnovers in nine losses dating back to '98. The Jets have committed two or more turnovers in three straight games and they have allowed four or more sacks in three straight games and 4-of-5 contests in '99.

Things To Look For: While the Colts have made impressive strides in '99, they still haven't learned how to put teams away and that has been costly this season as sure victories over the Patriots and Dolphins have somehow slipped away. Still, Jim Mora's explosive club has more than enough firepower to outscore a demoralized Jets' squad which is finding life without QB Vinny Testaverde a very miserable experience.

Etc.:Since 1994, (including playoffs), 51 of the Colts' 88 games have been decided by seven or fewer points, six of those in overtime. Including playoffs, the Colts are 13-36 (0-1 in playoffs) since opening 4-0 in '96..

The Jets have lost three straight home games. They are just 9-21 in their last 30 games vs. divisional competition dating back to 1995, but are 7-3 vs. AFC East rivals dating back to '98.





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