Getting multiple helmets around Taylor will be the key. The Colts passing game has had its moments under Carson Wentz this season as well. Wentz has protected the ball well and generally augmented Taylor's ground production effectively. Wentz has 22 touchdowns against just five interceptions, but still the Colts passing game isn't as dangerous as some others around the league. That's mostly due to a lack of dynamic weapons. Hilton recently returned to the lineup and has provided a jolt the last few weeks, but overall this is not a group that should scare anyone.
The Patriots secondary has been even stingier than Indy's with 19 picks and ranks third in the league by allowing an average of This will be a challenge for Wentz to avoid the mistakes that New England has feasted on during the seven-game winning streak, but if he can Indy will have opportunities to move the ball. Michael Badgley replaced the injured Rodrigo Blankenship earlier in the season and solidified the Colts kicking situation.
Badgley has made all 32 PATs and 11 of 12 field goals after Blankenship cost the Colts a win in Baltimore with a pair of late misses. But as solid as Badgley has been the Patriots Nick Folk has been even better. Folk has been the difference in several games for the Patriots and is 33 of 36 in field goals. He was perfect under incredibly difficult conditions in Buffalo and now he gets to work indoors at Lucas Oil Stadium.
That should allow him to maintain his season-long excellence. The Patriots also have gotten solid work from punt returner Gunner Olszewski, who is averaging But other than a yard kickoff return by Rodgers late in a loss to the Bucs, Indy hasn't gotten much of a boost out of its return game. Look for the Patriots to continue their excellence on special teams as the stakes get higher coming down the stretch.
The Patriots have won the last eight games against the Colts, including six regular season games and two postseason games. Both teams are coming off their Bye Weeks. It is the third matchup of the season with both teams coming off a Bye. Since realignment in when the Colts moved to the AFC South, the teams played in the regular season in every year for 10 straight seasons from through with New England holding edge in those games. While they did not play in the regular season, they did face each other in the postseason with the Patriots claiming a Divisional Playoff win at Gillette Stadium on Jan.
Overall, this week's game will be the 82nd meeting between the two teams. The Patriots lead the series with a record in the regular sea- son and a record in the postseason. New England holds an overall record of when playing on the road against the Colts, including a record at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Patriots own a record overall against Indianapolis in the post- season, including a record in playoff games played in New England.
The Patriots are in those contests. The clubs have clashed in the playoffs following the , 04, 06, 13 and 14 seasons.
The Patriots enter this week's game with a record and will be aiming for their 27th win season. Since the merger, the Patriots, Steelers and Cowboys are tied with 26 win seasons. The Patriots have scored at least 30 points in nine straight games against the Colts, including the postseason, to tie an NFL record for the most consecutive games scoring 30 points against an opponent.
Kansas City also accomplished the feat in nine straight games from through against the Denver Broncos. Kevin Burkhardt will handle play-by-play duties with Greg Olsen as the color analysts. Pam Oliver and Kristina Pink will work from the sidelines. The game will be produced by Pete Macheska and directed by Artie Kempner.
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Social media Pats Pulpit will deliver updates and analysis all over social media. He tallied yards on 29 carries, including a yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal the Colts' win. He's now scored a touchdown in 11 consecutive games. The Patriots entered Saturday ranked 18th in rushing yards allowed per game, while also giving up the fourth-most yards per carry 4. New England's defense overall has been very good for most of the season, coming into Week 15 ranked No.
The run defense has been below average on several occasions, and it's a genuine concern for this team as the playoffs approach. Mac Jones hasn't often looked like a rookie this season, but he sure did for the first 35 minutes of Saturday's game. In addition to his two interceptions, including a costly one in the red zone just before halftime, Jones looked a little jumpy and indecisive on many plays.
The impressive poise and composure in the pocket we've seen from him all season just wasn't there to start. Jones deserves credit for overcoming that awful start and finishing strong, even though it wasn't enough to complete a comeback.
Carson Wentz wasn't asked to do much heavy-lifting in the passing game as he completed just five of his 12 throws on the night for 57 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Arguably his biggest plays on the night game courtesy on his legs by converting a number of first downs in critical spots. Taylor finished with yards on the ground, which included that clinching score. Meanwhile, Mac Jones completed 26 of 45 for yards, two touchdowns -- both to Hunter Henry -- and two picks.
Over the first three quarters, Indianapolis largely was able to take advantage of New England's mistakes and were able to exploit a couple of key matchups. The biggest was the Patriots' weakness in defending the run. That was on full display on the club's second offensive possession of the night where they traveled 78 yards almost exclusively on the ground. That culminated in the game's first touchdown when Wentz completed a shuffle pass to Nyheim Hines following a direct snap to Taylor.
Through the first half, of Indy's total yards of offense came via the running game. As Indy hammered that advantage, it was also able to capitalize on general poor play by the Patriots.
The Colts were able to block a punt after New England seemed to let a Colts defender run through the line unscathed and put a hand on the football. That was almost immediately recovered by the Colts in the end zone to create the two-score lead.
Even as the Patriots mounted their comeback attempt in the second half, they were able to make clutch plays at the right moment. The Taylor touchdown run in the fourth quarter is an obvious example, but holding New England to a field goal after they got the football down to the Indianapolis 2-yard line proved to be a big swing in the game. Had the Patriots found the end zone during that drive, they would have trailed by just six and that second score by Hunter Henry later in the fourth would have given them the lead.
While Wentz had a quiet night through the air, he was extremely clutch with his legs. All three of Indianapolis' fourth-down conversions were via a Wentz sneak, which either resulted in points being put on the board or simply killed clock in what proved to be a tightly contested game late. The Patriots were the anti-Patriots for the first three quarters of this game.
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