At least once a year, we get a gift from the NFL scheduling crew. Actually, we get several gifts, but this game is always a lock at some point in the NFL season. Every year, we get a matchup between the two best quarterbacks in the NFL, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Of course, that means a matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots. This year, the game is in Gillette Stadium in New England.

Both teams come into this game as anomalies. They appear to be two of the better teams in the league (if you ignore the Patriots' loss in Cleveland a few weeks ago). Of course, the QB battle will be an epic one, but the difference in this game will be the play of the defences.

This game means even more for the Patriots this year, after blowing a late lead and losing to the Colts last season, by going for it on fourth down in their own end that failed to convert, giving Manning the ball and a short field to score the winning points in the last two minutes of the game.

Key Matchups

1. Jim Caldwell vs. Bill Belichick: Belichick caught a lot of flack over the call a year ago, and will be looking to redeem himself in this one. The Patriots controlled most of the game, but faltered in the end. Caldwell keeps his teams in games (with the help of Manning, of course) and has certainly kept the Colts in contention.

2. Reggie Wayne vs. Wes Welker: The two number one receivers in this game are going to pile up a bunch of catches. Both defences tend to struggle against the pass, so there should be plenty of open space for these great players to work. Welker's numbers have dipped a bit since the departure of Randy Moss, but expect him to bounce back here.

3. Jeff Saturday vs. Vince Wilfork: I featured Wilfork in this slot last week as well, and he will be tested again against the ageless veteran Saturday. I think Wilfork can win this battle, and it will certainly help the Pats stop the Colts' (virtually non-existent) running game.

The Rundown

The annual game between Manning and Brady will surely be a classic again. I mean, how bad can it be? I expect a tonne of points in this game, with Manning and the Colts braving the weather and coming out on top by a score of 38 — 35.

For next week, we take a look at a key NFC matchup in the Georgia Dome.

For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com