Colts Franchise-Madden NFL 2003 (MIDSEASON REPORT)

[JT_55]

Week 6

Week 6 Preview

Baltimore Ravens come in to face the Colts. Should be another easy game...


Game Recap

First Half
Colts passing game was terrible in the first half. The running game was fine, but they couldn't heavily rely on it without risking Rhodes tiring and fumbling the ball. Good thing the Ravens couldn't capitalize. They only managed three field goals from Stover- 44, 41, and 18 yards, respectively- and the Colts were still very much in the game. 9-0 Ravens.

Second Half
Colts managed to force a pick deep in Ravens' territory, and got a touchdown as Manning connects with Wayne from the four yard line. Colts are right back in it, trailing 9-7. Ravens respond, though, a 5 yard run put the Colts right back where they started. The Colts would have to dig from an even bigger hole; Stover's fourth field goal of the day put the Ravens ahead by 12. Not willing to give up just yet, the Colts look to score on the next drive, but was thwarted once again. The defense would hold up, and they would get another try, this time Manning finds Lelie in the endzone and a 2 point conversion put the Colts to within 4. But it was too little too late. An onside kick recovery failed, and the defense were unable to stop the Ravens from getting the first down, eventually running out the clock. GAME OVER. Ravens win 19-14.

NOTE: WTF?! I got a two point conversion and the game only counted it as one. Oh well, didn't make a difference in the game result.

Game Result
Baltimore 19, Indianapolis 14


Memorable moments

Chuckie Nworkie gets to Mark Redmond and gets a piggyback ride too.


The ball is not seen in this picture (some bug) but the ball intended for Marvin Harrison is picked off.


Stats

A note from the statistician:
Colts' third down percentage were not as decent as in previous games, going 2-7. The Ravens went 4-10.

Passing
Manning: 55.1 passer rating, 178 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT, 12-26 (46%)
Redmond: 72.9 passer rating, 163 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 13-19 (68%)

Rushing
Rhodes: 13 carries, 62 yards, 4.7 avg
Lewis: 21 carries, 71 yards, 3.3 avg, TD

Receiving
Lelie: 5 catches, 115 yards, TD
Harrison: 2 catches, 37 yards, TD

Defense
Washington: 7 tackles, 3 for loss
Morris: 6 tackles
Sheppard: 5 tackles
Green: 5 tackles, INT

[Anthony15]

Too many turnovers for Peyton, maybe if he didn't throw so agressively against a defensively tough Ravesn team and went on the ground a bit more, you could've won, gl next week.

[JT_55]

Boy, I almost forgot this myself already. I'll update tomorrow.

[JT_55]

Week 7

Week 7 Preview

Colts at the Steelers. I'm not looking forward to his game, I want no part of "The Bus".


Game Recap

First Half
Both offenses were shut down for most of the first half, but they traded a pair of TD's after the two-minute warning. Manning connected with Lelie for 32 yards and Martin found Ward for 14 yards.

Second Half
The Steelers take the lead in the second half as Bettis drags almost half the team for 21 yards into the endzone. The Colts got a good drive going, but was stopped inside the red zone and was forced to settle with a Vanderjagt 31 yard FG. Down by 4, the Colts needed a stop from their defense, but they let the Steelers go after forcing them into a few third and long situations. The Steelers took advantage of it and Edwards catches a touchdown pass to end the drive. Steelers up 21-10.

With the two minute warning coming up, the Colts needed a quick drive, but Manning had a hip pointer and was out for the game. The backup Huard does the job, but with only 50 seconds left on the clock. They couldn't recover the onside kick, and the Steelers ran out the clock.

Game Result
Indianapolis 18, Pittsburgh 21


Memorable moments
Unfortunately they didn't turn out. I don't know how to take a screen but to use the "Prt Scr" button, and that doesn't work for Madden sometimes.

Stats

Passing
Martin: 118.1 passer rating 173 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 14-22 (63 %)
Manning: 117.0 passer rating, 169 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 11-17 (64%)

Rushing
Bettis: 18 carries, 89 yards, 4.9 avg, TD
Rhodes: 14 carries, 38 yards, 2.7 avg, TD

Receiving
Lelie: 4 catches, 115 yards, TD
Wayne: 4 catches: 37 yards
Harrison: 3 catches, 68 yards

Defense
Smoot: 8 tackles
Washington: 5 tackles
Bashir: 4 tackles

[Anthony15]

Well Steelers are good, it would've been hard beating them, especially since they had that 15-1 record that year.

[JT_55]

Yeah, especially back then they had Bettis as a full-time rusher. My guys looked like bowling pins.

[JT_55]

Week 8

Week 8 Preview

Colts at the Redskins. Last game before the halfway point; want to go on a good note.


Game Recap

First Half
Colts in good shape in the first half. The offense is fired up, and the defense comes up with 3 picks off Redskins' QB Rosenfels. First quarter, Manning lobs a deep pass into triple coverage for Harrison...



...and guess what! He comes up with the ball in the endzone! 7-0 Colts. Redskins come back with a 33 yard field goal by Conway, but the Colts score twice before the half: a 69 yard INT return by Bailey (that guy is money!) and Manning fires a pass into the endzone that finds Lelie for 6 yards.



Colts running away with it at the half 21-3.

Second Half
Down by 18, the Redskins had to step up their game. Rosenfelds finds "Mr. No Name" (Game said #40 receiver; WTF does that mean?) in the endzone. 7 yard strike for the only score in the third quarter.

Fourth quarter, Colts extend the lead. Manning connects with tight end Pollard for another major. Vanderjagt misses the PAT, though, but it doesn't make much of a difference as the Colts are still up by 17. Redskins draw a bit closer with another touchdown pass from Rosenfels, but a TD by the Colts seals this game.

Game Result
Indianapolis 34, Pittsburgh 17


Stats

Note from the statistician
Colts were phenominal on third down, going 8-12 (80 %). Colts averaged 4 yards per rush, but the Redskins averaged 8. Now, don't let that fool you. 54 of those yards was all gained on one play. Without that, it would be 10 yards gained on 7 carries, very uneffiecient. Colts' defense had 3 picks and 3 sacks, while the Redskins' defense had none.

Passing
Rosenfels: 47.9 passer rating, 216 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT, 16-36 (44 %)
Manning: 139.0 passer rating, 261 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT, 22-30 (64%)

Rushing
James: 8 carries, 64 yards, 8.0 avg
Rhodes: 23 carries, 96 yards, 4.1 avg

Receiving
Harrison: 7 catches, 82 yards, TD
Bailey: 5 catches, 77 yards
Wayne: 4 catches: 55 yards, TD
Pollard: 3 catches: 10 yards, TD
Lelie: 3 catches, 37 yards, TD

Defense
Green: 5 tackles
Smoot: 5 tackles, 1 INT
Bailey: 4 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD
Morris: 3 tackles

[JT_55]

Midseason Report

League Standings

AFC
Pittsburgh 5-2
Cleveland 4-4
Cincinnati 2-5
Baltimore 2-5

Jacksonville 5-2
Indianapolis 4-3
Tenessee 2-5
Houston 0-7

Miami 5-2
New England 4-3
New York Jets 4-3
Buffalo 4-4

San Diego 5-2
Oakland 4-3
Denver 3-5
Kansas City 2-6

NFC

Green Bay 7-0
Chicago 5-2
Detroit 2-5
Minnesota 1-6

Philadelphia 6-1
New York Giants 5-2
Cowboys 5-3
Washington 1-6

Tampa Bay 6-2
New Orleans 4-4
Falcons 2-5
Carolina 2-6

St. Louis 5-2
Seattle 4-3
San Francisco 4-3
Arizona 2-5

Stats

QB
Manning: 108.8 passer rating, 101-177 (57%), 1558 yards, 17 TD, 4 INT

HB
Rhodes: 119 carries, 479 yards, 4.0 avg, 6 TD

WR
Harrison: 29 catches, 563 yards, 4 TD
Wayne: 21 catches, 188 yards, 5 TD
Lelie: 22 catches, 505 yards, 5 TD

TE
Pollard: 14 catches, 102 yards, 2 TD

DE
Nwokorie: 2 tackles, 2 sacks
Freeney: 10 tackles, 3 sacks

DT
Johnson: 6 tackles, 2 sacks
Williams: 6 tackles

LB
Washington: 30 tackles, 2 INT
Morris: 23 tackles, 1 sack
Peterson: 16 tackles, 1 sack

CB
Bailey: 31 tackles, 4 INT
Smoot: 26 tackles, 4 INT
Sheppard: 15 tackles, 1 sack

FS
Bashir: 21 tackles

SS
Green: 28 tackles, INT

Midseason Report Card

Offense: B-
Manning and Rhodes are having good years, but the receivers are all having off-years. Also very inconsistent. Sometimes they go all the way down the field easily, and then go an a streak of three-and-outs.

Defense: B
Solid, but not outstanding. Susceptable to the run against good backs. Outstanding secondary.

Special Teams: C+
Kicking has been so-so (still adjusting to the speed of the meter) and punting is just horrible.

[asgsjb]

Sweet! Didn't realize you were doing Madden football, JT, especially going back to the 2003 version. Very cool. I'm using Madden 2005 myself. Lots of fun.

[JT_55]

Well, I did this a while ago, but stopped due to a number of factors like lack of people reading, laziness, and the fact that Madden 03 puts heavy wear and tear on my controller. But I'll start it again after this little reminder, lol.

And check your PM.

[asgsjb]

Got the PM message and replied, JT.