ESPN NFL

The game of pro football is predicated on individual match-ups. Coaches seek out a match-up in their favor and devise a game plan to take advantage. Each week we preview one lopsided match-up that should make an impact on the game, either through its exploitation or in changing a team's plans to try to compensate.

Titans at Colts
TEs Marcus Pollard and Dallas Clark vs. S Tank Williams
The Colts only scored three field goals last week, but penalties and mental mistakes kept them bottled up offensively for much of the game. With the opening week jitters behind them, they should have a more efficient outing in their home opener. The key to the Colts offense is their two tight end set, which they didn't have the personnel to run last year. Rookie Dallas Clark has already proven to be a good receiving threat and both he and veteran Marcus Pollard can challenge safety Tank Williams in the middle of the field. That's not good for a defense, because they want Lance Schulters helping out the corner who is covering Marvin Harrison, instead of helping Williams cover a less dangerous tight end. As long as Peyton Manning has enough time to let the patterns develop, he will have an easy read on the safety to determine where to go with the ball. If the Titans counter with their nickel package, Manning can audible to a run for Edgerrin James, and with two tight ends blocking the smaller defensive backs, that's a mismatch as well.

Steelers at Chiefs
RB Priest Holmes vs. LB Clark Haggans
The Steelers awesome run defense against the slashing running of the league's best back in Priest Holmes is an incredible match-up. But when the Chiefs go to the air, they have a mismatch in their favor. With Joey Porter still out, the Steelers do not have a linebacker that can come close to keeping up with Holmes as he runs out of the backfield and into a pass pattern. The Steelers will put so much attention on the back, that it should free up the Chiefs other receivers so that someone is always open. Last week the Chiefs had eight different receivers catch passes. That shows that quarterback Trent Green is on top of his game in reading defenses and finding the open man. Can the Steelers defense blitz Green heavily while still keeping Holmes covered?

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