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Linebacker Gary Brackett (58) is a key figure on the Colts' improving defense.

The other part of this defensive strategy is playing keep-away from Brady, as the Colts’ opponents have tried to do to neutralize Manning.

Perhaps the biggest improvement in Manning’s game over the last few years has been his willingness to — cliché alert! — take what the defense gives him, rather than forcing the ball downfield. While both teams’ offenses are scoring more than 30 points a game, a shootout does not necessarily mean each team has to score as quickly as it can — and that’s true even if one team or the other gets a couple of quick early scores.

Even if Marvin Harrison is still hobbled by his knee injury, Manning has enough receiving talent, and enough rushing talent in Joseph Addai and backup Kenton Keith, to dink and dunk his way down the field. How Manning does it will depend a lot on where New England’s linebackers end up. Manning has struggled with 3-4 defenses in the past, and surely he’s watched plenty of film of Mike Vrabel and Rosevelt Colvin running wild last week against Washington. Fortunately for Manning, Indianapolis’ running backs are competent at picking up blitzes.

Then there’s the question of which linebacker might follow tight end/slot receiver Dallas Clark. Will it be Vrabel? Will inside linebacker Adalius Thomas drop back to pick him up? Will the linebackers pass him off to a defensive back? Manning might have to toss a few passes to Aaron Moorehead or Ben Utecht to loosen the Patriots up enough that they don’t concentrate too much on Clark, or on wideout Reggie Wayne.

But Manning’s effort will be for naught if the Colts’ defense — and their special teams, too —don’t get aggressive about hitting some people. Indianapolis shouldn’t have to outright cheat to be successful. But if the Colts’ defense does its job, NFL headquarters might be getting a Polian-like call from the Patriots organization.

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