NFL : Big matchup isn’t Manning vs. Brady

There’s no denying that New England’s dynamic passing combination of Tom Brady and Randy Moss has dominated NFL highlights over the first half of the season.

However, the key matchup to look out for in New England’s showdown against Indianapolis on Sunday will not involve Brady or Moss, or the Colts’ revamped defense.

No, the game-determining battle will feature Manning and his presnap line dance against the Patriots’ hybrid defense, which excels at switching from 3-4 to 4-3 alignments and confusing quarterbacks.

By now, New England understands that much of Manning’s exaggerated presnap moves and calls are bluffs.

But the Patriots still have to determine which if any of those calls are real.

On Sunday, that main responsibility will often belong to veteran safety Rodney Harrison, who has gained a well-deserved reputation for out-thinking quarterbacks during line-of-scrimmage cat-and-mouse games.

Last season, Harrison sat out the AFC Championship Game between these teams because of a knee injury, and his presence was dearly missed in the Colts’ 38-34 come-from-behind victory.

Since Harrison returned from an NFL suspension for HGH use earlier this season, he has provided a much-needed intimidating boost to the Patriots’ secondary. That will be an important factor against the Colts, who lose offensive steam when they struggle to complete passes inside the hash marks.

Around the league

Since missing two starts and recuperating from back and groin injuries, Baltimore quarterback Steve McNair is preparing to start Monday night against Pittsburgh for his first action since Oct. 7. … After spending one game as the No. 2 quarterback, Atlanta’s Joey Harrington will start again when the Falcons host San Francisco on Sunday. First-year coach Bobby Petrino benched Harrington in favor of Byron Leftwich following a 31-10 home loss to the New York Giants three weeks ago. Leftwich lasted just one start, though, undergoing ankle surgery following a six-point defeat at New Orleans on Oct. 21. … Denver receiver Rod Smith and 2007 first-round pick Jarvis Moss will both miss the rest of the season with injuries. … San Diego cornerback Drayton Florence was fined $15,000 by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit that gave Houston quarterback Matt Schaub a concussion. … Quarterback Josh McCown has recovered from a fractured left big toe and will start for Oakland on Sunday against Houston.