The Patriots secondary knows it will face its toughest test Sunday night against Peyton Manning and the Colts. There is no shortage of praise for Manning who's regarded as the top quarterback in the NFL by many. "He's the ultimate quarterback," CB Leigh Boddensaid according to the Boston Herald. "He checks out of every play he's in to go to a better play. And he can put it on the money. He's one of the best." CB Shawn Springs added, “You don’t know how good you are, until you face him.”

Both the Patriots and Colts are known for their potent offensive attack. Each has an arsenal of playmakers capable of stretching the field. However, the defensive side of the ball poses an interesting variable entering Sunday night's contest. According to ESPN
Boston, the Colts have allowed the fewest points this season while the Patriots are right behind them allowing the second least. Want another defensive statistic? Click here.

ESPN Boston also discusses how defensive substitutions are affected when the Colts offense is on the field. The story suggests that since the Colts play with an "ultra-fast" style -- seen last week against the Houston Texans -- the Patriots will have to adhere to that tempo and do defensive substitutions accordingly.

Patriots LB Adalius Thomason the Patriots-Colts rivalry: "It's the history," Thomas said according to The Enterprise. "(It's) the two great quarterbacks on both sides and the history of them and the championships and the AFC playoffs and all those good things."

NBC Sports compares QBs Tom Brady and Peyton Manning to other great sports figures. Click here to see who they are.

ESPN.com reports the Patriots have little interest in RB Larry Johnson. Coach Bill Belichick said, "I would doubt it" regarding any moves involving the 29-year old running back. Johnson was released by the Kansas City Chiefs stemming from comments on his Twitter page about head coach Todd Haley and reportedly using gay slurs when he addressed the media.