Article:2007 NFL Replay: Week 1 (NO v.s. Indy)

NFL 2007 Replay (using Whatifsports simulator):

Well, since I miss watching NFL games on Sunday (DishNetwork took the NFL Network away in February!), I will choose the best game from each week of this past football season, and replay the game using the Whatifsports.com simulator. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the site, especially since many users on here, including me, have used it countless times for writing articles.

So, without further ado, let me present you with BBB15's inaugural 2007 NFL Replay.

The Game:
New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts (originally played on September 6th, 2007 on Opening Night)

Winner of game: Colts 41-10

Stats:
Passing

Peyton Manning (IND)- 18/30, 288 Passing Yards, 3 TD, 0 INT

Drew Brees (NO)- 28/41, 192 Passing Yards, 0 TD, 2 INT

Rushing

Joseph Addai (IND)- 23 ATT, 118 Yards, 1 TD

Reggie Bush (NO)- 12 ATT, 38 Yards, 0 TD

Deuce McAllister (NO)- 10 ATT, 38 Yards, 0 TD

Receiving

Reggie Wayne (IND)- 7 Rec, 115 Yards, 2 TD

Marvin Harrison (IND)- 4 Rec, 83 Yards, 1 TD

Eric Johnson (NO)- 8 Rec, 57 Yards, 0 TD

Marques Colston (NO)- 6 Rec, 47 Yards, 0 TD


 * Game Notes- The game was extremely hyped, and New Orleans was supposed to come out and dominate on the ground. But, the defending SB Champion Colts took the game over, going for 452 total yards, and Manning threw zero INT's, with 3 TD's. Drew Brees didn't live up to the hype in his first 2007 game, throwing 2 INT's to Colt defenders, and losing a fumble as well. Saints get blownout 41-10. Let's see if Brees can redeem himself in the simulation.



The Simulation:
Saints 37, Colts 29

Well, looks like Brees did manage to redeem himself, throwing zero INT's this time, and actually throwing a TD this game. New Orleans ran the ball for three TD's (2 by Aaron Stecker, 1 by Reggie Bush), but other than the TD's, the running game didn't do much, averaging 2.3 YPC. The key to victory ended up being Manning's mistakes. Peyton threw for 4 TD's, but threw 3 costly INT's, as well. New Orleans dominated the T.O.P., too. Holding the ball for 39:53 compared to Indy's 20:07. Brees' mistake-free football, and Olindo Mare's 3 FG's lifted New Orleans to a 8-point victory over the Colts from Indianapolis.

Stats:
Passing

Drew Brees (NO)- 24/31, 298 Passing Yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

Peyton Manning (IND)- 15/24, 209 Passing Yards, 4 TD, 3 INT

Rushing

Aaron Stecker (NO)- 9 ATT, 55 Yards, 2 TD

Reggie Bush (NO)- 17 ATT, 24 Yards, 1 TD

Joseph Addai (IND)- 14 ATT, 92 Yards, 0 TD

Kenton Keith (IND)- 7 ATT, 62 Yards, 0 TD

Receiving

Eric Johnson (NO)- 4 Rec, 84 Yards, 0 TD

Marques Colston (NO)- 5 Rec, 78 Yards, 0 TD

Reggie Bush (NO)- 5 Rec, 33 Yards, 1 TD

Reggie Wayne (IND)- 3 Rec, 72 Yards, 0 TD

Anthony Gonzalez (IND)- 2 Rec, 55 Yards, 2 TD

Dallas Clark (IND)- 3 Rec, 37 Yards, 1 TD

Ben Utecht (IND)- 1 Rec, 7 Yards, 1 TD


 * Note: Colts wideout Marvin Harrison caught just 2 balls that went for 10 yards.

Stay tuned for Week Two's matchup between the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers. You just can't wait, can you???