Game Preview: Colts vs Patriots

The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts will meet for the second straight season in Week 9. The Patriots traveled to Indianapolis on Dec. 18, 2021, and had a seven-game win streak snapped. The game will air on CBS with Greg Gumbel with Adam Archulet on call. Let’s look at interesting facts, matchup winners, player connections, and more.

Quick hits

* The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts will meet for the 83rd time, with the Patriots winning the series 48 to 29.

* The Colts and Patriots have faced each other five times during the playoffs, including the infamous deflate game. The Patriots hold a 4-1 record in the playoffs.

* New England has a 30-12 overall record against Indianapolis in New England, including 9-2 at Gillette Stadium.

* The Patriots squared off with the Colts last season but lost 27-17, snapping a seven-game win streak.

* New England is last in their division with a 4-4 record, but the Colts are second in their division at 3-4-1.

*Bill Belichick started his coaching career with the Colts during the 1975 season as a special assistant.

* RB Rhamondre Stevenson has averaged more than 6 yards per carry twice this season, during Week 3 and 5. The most games in Patriot history where a running back has averaged more than 6 yards per carry was in 1969 when Carl Garret averaged 6 YPC in four games.

* CB Jalen Mills needs one interception this week to match his career high (3).

* If Tyquan Thornton has a rushing touchdown this week, he will become the first rookie wide receiver with two rushing touchdowns.

*With one sack, Detrich Wise Jr. will set a career-high with six sacks in a single season.

Connections

Former Patriots

DT Byron Cowart (Patriots player: 2019-2021, Colts player: 2022-present)

CB Stephon Gilmore (Patriots player: 2017-2020, Colts player: 2022-present)

CB Kenny Moore (Patriots player: 2017-2017, Colts player: 2017-present)

S Bubba Ventrone (Patriots player: 2005-2006, 2007-2008, assistant ST coach 2015-2017, Colts Special teams Coordinator: 2017-present)

Former Colts

DL Carl Davis (Colts player: 2019-2019, Patriots player: 2020-present)

DL Larence Guy Sr. (Colts player: 2012-2013, Patriots player: 2017-present)

QB Brian Hoyer (Colts player: 2019-2019, Patriots player: 2020-present)

Coach Bill Belichick (Colts assistant:1975-1975, Patriots coach: 2000-present)

Who has the advantage?

When the Patriots run: Winner: Patriots

The Patriots’ run game has been sporadic this season. At the start of the season, the running back committee was Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Ty Montgomery. However, Harris has been nursing a hamstring injury, and Montgomery is on the injured reserve. Since Harris suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5, second-year back Rhamondre Stevenson has taken over the lead back role. On the season he has 558 yards on four touchdowns. Last week against the Jets, New England was held in check against the run and only averaged 3.7 yards per carry. Stevenson had one big play (35 yards), but other than that, he had 38 yards for 15 carries. The Colts rank 18th in defending the run and have allowed 120 yards per game. However, they are allowing 4 yards a carry (3rd).

When the Colts run: Winner: Patriots

The Colts running backs have partly diminished this season. Jonathan Taylor hasn’t produced the way a number one fantasy draft pick should. Taylor has been battling an ankle injury and was ruled out for this game. He has been held to one touchdown and has carried the ball 197 times for 462 yards (4.3 YPC). Meanwhile, Colts backup Nyminn Hines was traded to Buffalo over the trade deadline, leaving the Colts without their top two backs. This leaves Deon Jackson as the lead back. Jackson was signed as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2021. In their running back trade, the Colts also acquired Zach Moss from the Bills. This season the Colts rank 29th in league with just 87.8 rushing yards per contest. For the Patriots, they have been inconsistent in stopping the runs but had a good game last week, limiting the Jets to 3.4 yards per carry. Led by Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, and Deatrich Wise, the Patriots are giving up 126 rushing yards per game. New England has missed sophomore defensive lineman Christain Barmore to a knee injury, but he should return this week. The Colts will want to run the ball a lot with a rookie quarterback, but their backs are inexperienced, and New England should control the line.

When the Patriots pass: Winner: Colts

The last two games for Mac Jones at Gillette have been disastrous. In Week 3, Mac Jones exited with a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss a few games, and in Week 7, Jones threw a terrible interception in primetime and was benched. However, his first complete start since his injury came against the Jets last week, where he led the Patriots to win 22-17. Last week the offensive game had its worst game, allowing a season-high six stats. Rhamondre Stevenson was New England’s receiving leader and rushing leader. Led by former Patriots Stephon Gilmore and Kenny Moore, the Colts’ secondary have allowed 199.8 passing yards per game (8th). Jakboi Meyers has been the Patriots’ most reliable pass catcher in critical situations, and he should continue his success this week. However, the Patriots will be without receiver DeVante Parker who is nursing a knee injury. New England should see more of Kendrick Bourne, who hasn’t produced nearly as much as last season.

When the Colts pass: Winner: Patriots

Sam Ehlinger will start the first road game of his NFL career. The rookie out of Texas completed 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards in his debut against Washington. Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan was benched after throwing nine interceptions and committing 11 fumbles. Micheal Pittman leads the Colts with 51 catches on 528 yards and a score. Rookie Alec Pierce and Parris Campbell are the other two pass catchers who receive action. The Colts’ offensive line has struggled to allow 26 sacks on the season and is at the top of the league regarding pressures. Meanwhile, the Patriots’ pass rush is at the top of the league, led by Matthew Judon. Judon is tied for the most sacks with 8.5 and leads the league in quarterback pressures (28). Belichick does well against rookie quarterbacks and should continue their dominance Sunday.

Special teams: Winner: Patriots

New England’s special teams have been iffy thus far but had a good day last week, led by the AFC Week 9 special teamer, Nick Folk. Folk made all five of his field goals, ranging from 42 yards to 52 yards. Jake Bailey had one of his better days punting with two punts inside the 20. However, rookie Damcurus Mitchell made a mistake on Bailey’s third punt, as he rolled in the end zone, causing a touchback. Marcus Jones had his largest punt return, ripping off a 32-yard return. For the Colts, they have had two kickers this season. Chase McLaughlin took over for Rodrigo Blankenship; McLaughlin has been efficient, making 13 of 14 field goals, and is perfect on his extra points (8/8). Similarly, punter Matt Haack has replaced Rigoberto Sanchez. Last season against the Colts, the Patriots had plenty of trouble on special teams, but this season it’s a different story. However, keep an eye on the wind in Foxborough, as gusts could get up to 18+mph.

Senior coaching staff

New England:

Head Coach – Bill Belichick

Senior football advisor/offensive line – Matt Patricia

Offensive assistant/quarterbacks – Joe Judge

Running backs – Vinnie Sunseri

Wide receivers – Troy Brown

Offensive line – Billy Yates

Linebackers – Steve Belichick

Linebackers – Jerod Mayo

Cornerbacks – Mike Pellegrino

Special teams coordinator – Cam Achord

Colts:

Head Coach – Frank Reich

Pass Game Specialist/ Quarterbacks – Parks Frazier

Quarterbacks – Scott Milanovich

Tight Ends – Klayton Adams

Offensive line – Chris Strausser

Defensive Coordinator – Gus Bradley

Defensive line – Nate Ollie

Linebackers – Richard Smith

Defensive backs – Ron Milus

Special Teams Coordinator – Bubba Ventrone

Injury Report

Key:

DNP: Did not participate in practice

LP: Limited participation in practice

FP: Full participation in practice

NL: Not listed

Colts:

OUT

CB Tony Brown – Hamstring (DNP)

QB Matt Ryan – Right Shoulder (DNP)

LB Grant Stuard – Pectoral (DNP)

RB Jonathan Taylor – Ankle (DNP)

QUESTIONABLE

LB E.J. Speed – Ankle (LP)

T Dennis Kelly – Calf/Ankle

Patriots:

Out:

C David Andrews – Concussion (DNP)

OT Marcus Cannon – Concussion (DNP)

WR DeVante Parker – Knee (DNP)

QUESTIONABLE

DL Christian Barmore – Knee (LP)

S Kyle Dugger – Ankle (LP)

RB Damien Harris – Illness (LP)

CB Jack Jones – Illness (DNP)

RB Pierre Strong Jr. – Hamstring (LP)

LB Josh Uche – Hamstring (LP)

DE Deatrich Wise Jr. – Ankle (LP)

Latest Patriots transactions

11/1 Signed rookie OL Hayden Howerton to practice squad

11/1 Signed veteran P Michael Palardy to the practice squad

11/1 Released DL Ron’Dell Carter and K Tristan Vizcaino from the practice squad

11/5 Signed RB J.J. Taylor to the 53-man roster from the practice squad

11/5 Placed OL Marcus Cannon on injured reserve

11/5 Elevated WR Lynn Bowden Jr. and OL Kody Russey to the active roster

Game Officials

Head Referee – Clay Martin (8th season in the NFL and 5th as head official)

Weather Forcast

Overcast. Near record high temperatures. High around 75F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. 5% chance of rain.

Noteworthy quotes

Colts:

On facing the Patriots

“Obviously, you want to get your first win and I’m really looking forward to playing against Coach (Bill) Belichick and the Patriots. There’s nobody that’s done it better and they always present a challenge defensively. I know it’s going to be a challenge and it’s going to be a hostile environment. I’m looking forward to it.” Colts Quarterback Sam Ehlinger

On facing the Patriots defense

“Good front seven. Obviously, they are going to be well-schemed up. They do a great job of realizing what an offense does and try to stop them from doing that. A big task in front of us, big loaded front again. Plenty of film study this week, get after them and have a great week today.” Colts Center Ryan Kelly

New England Patriots:

On Mac Jones ability to keep downs alive by running

Well, I think he’s got a pretty good feel for that. A lot of it is just really feel and decision. Some of its athletic ability too, but a lot of it is just seeing it through the right time. Tom [Brady] did a good job of that. He didn’t run very often, but when he did, like last year against us, he got us on that third-and-four or whatever it was. [Peyton] Manning same thing, didn’t run very often, but he catches you at the right time, those guys can hurt you. The guys that are really good runners, you know about, and the guys that aren’t, it’s just decisions and recognition of the situation.

Head coach Bill Belichick

On New England increasing it’s use of RPO’s

BB: In terms of three options that’s exactly what it is. Sometimes it’s two, sometimes it’s three, right? So, in the wishbone you had the fullback, the quarterback, the pitch. Now you have the dive, the quarterback and instead of the pitch, it’s some type of pass pattern to a guy in the flat or a bubble screen, or that type of thing. Sometimes it’s run or throw but then there are times when it’s run, quarterback reads the end as part of the run and then either he runs or he throws. So, there is a dual element to the RPOs and sometimes there’s really a three-way decision. Teams are doing the inside, outside, where they’re doing the sweep to one side and RPO, or keep, or whatever counter-play back to the other side. And then, teams like Baltimore. We did it with Cam [Newton] too, where you have the outside play, and the quarterback keeps it inside. As an outside to inside, instead of inside to outside, just reverse that. Who are you RPOing? Are you RPOing the end or are you RPOing a three technique? So, there’s multiple versions of that. Another element of that in the RPO is the hiding behind the coverage, right? So, you can RPO it inside to outside with a blocker or you can run a play and then have somebody come in behind them. So, if the linebacker comes up, you throw it to the guy behind them, if the linebacker drops off, you hand it off, that kind of thing. So, there’s multiple varieties of that. The Colts have really shown all of it. It was only one week, but they did it all against Washington. They had the three-option plays and they had multiple two-option plays. The play they scored on was the sweep, right? But then they also had the shuffle pass. So had the defense widened, then they would’ve shuffled it inside to the tight end. Which we saw that from Pittsburgh. They did a similar thing, multiple times. It doesn’t really involve the quarterback running, right? So, he either gives it to the sweep or he pitches it into the shuffle guy. So, two and three options.

Head coach Bill Belichick

Broadcast information

From Patriots.com

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZ-TV Channel 4. Greg Gumbel will handle play-by-play duties with Adam Archuleta as the color analyst. AJ Ross will work from the sidelines. The game will be produced by Jonathan Segal and directed by Mark Grant.

NATIONAL RADIO: Sunday’s game will be broadcast to a national audience on Sports USA. Wayne Randazzo will call the game with former Patriots kicker and New England’s all-time leading scorer Stephen Gostkowski providing analysis.

LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello.