One of the many story lines leading up to Sunday's epic was how the Patriots would deal with Colts' defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, particularly with Freeney lining up opposite rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer for much of the game.

Though he had successfully neutralized Miami's Jason Taylor and Joey Porter the week before, there were some who felt that Freeney, he of the great speed and even better spin move, would be Vollmer's biggest test as he made his fourth straight start in place of Matt Light (knee).

And from here, it looked like Vollmer passed with flying colors. He got help, of course, but Light would have gotten help at times as well, especially against a pass-rusher like Freeney whom he has historically had issues with.

Tom Brady was sacked twice last night, and neither came from Vollmer's side. Both were by Robert Mathis, when he was lined up over Nick Kaczur, and Mathis nearly got Brady a third time -- again getting past Kaczur -- on the touchdown pass to Julian Edelman.

(Overheard in the press box after the game: "There were turnstiles to get into Lucas Oil Stadium that were harder to get through than Kaczur.")

While it remains to be seen whether Light has lost his job to Vollmer for the rest of this season once he is healthy -- Light returned to practice on Friday but was listed as doubtful for the game -- it is hard to think that Vollmer won't be the starter next season. Light carries a $4.7 million cap hit for 2010, the last year of his current contract; Vollmer, who will be in the second year of his rookie contract, will cost a very cap-friendly $707,000 tag. And he's bigger and more agile than Light.

This isn't to take anything away from Light, who is a two-time Pro Bowler, but just as Drew Bledsoe once lost his job to a some kid named Brady, Light may see his days numbered thanks to Vollmer.