Again, you are pointing to reasons why there is more pressure on the Colts not the other way around. As you say, there is a lot going against the Pats, with their injuries and how well the Colts have played. If NE was heavily favored, then there would be lots of pressure. As you correctly point out, the Colts seem to be the "favored" team here, even though the spread shows the Pats as a slight favorite (only due to HFA). Don't be surprised to see the line move to EVEN or Colts by a point by kick-off. The more the media builds up the Colts chances the more pressure it puts on Indy, not the Pats. The absolute worst pressure spot in sports is to be favored or expected to beat an opponent that has dominated you. Look at the Seahawks against the Rams in their playoff game. The Rams had beaten Seattle the last 3 times and was an underdog. Who was the pressure on? Much more on Seattle.
Yes, as said before, of course there's "pressure" on NE, but if they were a team that couldn't handle pressure, then they wouldn't have won 2 of the last 3 SB's, one as a 14-point dog.
Of course there is more pressure on the Colts. Again, I agree, and I never said anything that insinuated that the Colts don't have a TON of pressure.
It's the notion that the Pats have no pressure (an opinion I've seen expressed quite a bit) that bothers me. On one hand, they have a recent history of beating the Colts, but on the other hand they have some crucial players who are injured. It's a strange situation.
But yes, the Colts are expected by most to win against a team that's owned them lately, and it's expected to come more easily than it will, if they win at all. That is a lot for a team to live with.
And Vanderjagt isn't helping things by talking down to the Pats.