"...And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives..."

After Sunday, one team will walk away undefeated while the other with their first loss of the season. That is right folks the game that all Patriots fans circled on their calender as a rematch of the of the AFC Championship game from last year, has finally arrived. The Patriots will travel to Indianapolis as five point favorites (as it stands today and could be subject to change in the upcoming days).

The game has taken on a life of its own in the media. With some media outlets calling it Super Bowl 41.5 while others simple refer to it as "Good v. Evil." There is a lot at stake between the Pats and Colts on Sunday. Possible home field advantage during the playoffs. We all know how well Peyton does in Foxboro in January. With a lot at stak here, it is giving the Patriots the edge.

The Patriots will have the edge in almost every game they play in from now until the end of the season. They have a bulls-eye on their back, have been branded as cheaters and even had their three Super Bowl victories questioned. Most normal NFL franchises would fold under these negative views. But let's face it folks, the Patriots are not normal.

Here's how the Pats and Colts stack up.

Offense:
Both teams have high powered offenses led by the two best quarterbacks in the league today: Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Patriots have Kevin Faulk and brought in Wes Welker who can go over the middle and collect the short throws from Brady, along with feature RB Laurence Maroney. But Manning also has those guys too, ever hear of RB Joseph Addai and TE Dallas Clark? Last year the Pats lacked a deep threat down field so they went out and traded for Donte Stallworth and Randy Moss and signed TE Kyle Brady, in addition to TE Benjamin Watson and WR Jabar Gaffney. But don't forget Manning also has these same weapons, WR Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, TE Ben Utecht and drafted young TE Anthony Gonzalez (not the BC alum Anthony Gonzalez). Also both Quarterbacks have offensive linemen who give them plenty of time to throw the football. EDGE: Even.

DEFENSE:
The Patriots in the off season went out and boistered their defense by signing LB Adalius Thomas and drafting DB Brandon Merriweather out of Miami, to go along with their strong defensive line of Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymour. Seymour has only played one game this year but in his absence, Jarvis Green filled in admirably. CB Asante Samuel leds the defense with 4 Interceptions followed by LB Junior Seau with 3 and CB Randall Gay with 2. Combined the three of them have as many interceptions as the whole Indianapolis defense. Second year safety Antoine Bethea leads the Colts with 2 Interceptions. Judging by the defensive statistics, the Colts defense have a difficult time getting to the Quarterback with only DE Dwight Freeney recording 3.5 sacks on the season. Compared to Pats LB Mike Vrabel's 7.5 sacks. The Colts are going against an offensive line that does not let defenses even sniff Brady this Sunday and it could mean trouble for for Indianapolis. EDGE: Patriots

SPECIAL TEAMS:
There appears to be no sophomore slump for second year kick Stephen Gostkowski. In 11 Field Goal attempts he's made 10 with the one miss being a 47-yard kick due to holder Matt Cassel's inability to control the football. For the Colts, Adam Vinatieri has made 14 of 15 with his longest only 39, compared to Gostkowski's 49. Both kickers did make all their extra point attempts. Since Pats kick returner Ellis Hobbs's record-tying 108-yard return against the New York Jets in the opening game of the season, Hobbs has compiled 525 yards on 18 returns for an average of 29.2 yards. Punt returner Wes Welker has 172 yards on 17 tries. Colts returner T.J. Rushing has a combined 489 yards on 25 carries for kick and punt returns. EDGE: Patriots

COACHING:
Let's face it when it's game time who do you want on the sideline? Tony Dungy or Bill Belichick? Belichick is probably only person that can make a 45 point win sound like a 45 point loss, as he did in his press conference after the Redskins game. And better yet he doesn't care what reporters, commentators or anyone else says about him or his team. You really have to envy a person like that, especially in today's world when we are all swayed by our peers' criticism. EDGE: Patriots