Andre Johnson had his best game of the season against his former team last week. (Getty)
FINAL SCORE
New England Patriots 7-13-7-7 — 34
Indianapolis Colts 7-14-0-6 — 27
FINAL: Pats Pull Away Thanks to Questionable Colts Calls
It wasn’t the normal bloodbath we’ve come to expect, but the Patriots handled the Colts, beating them for the fifth straight time 34-27. The Colts hung around with the defending champions, until a crazy play in the third quarter sapped the momentum from Indianapolis.
The fake punt attempt by the Colts will go down as one of the weirdest plays in the history of Sunday Night Football. In addition, it may get Chuck Pagano fired. The Colts were in perfect position to compete with the Patriots, then promptly handed them the game on a platter.
Andrew Luck showed zero signs of shoulder pain, finishing with 312 yards and three touchdowns. Tom Brady threw his normal 312 and three scores, but it was the fake punt that made the difference.
Next week the Colts (3-3) will stay home to take on the Saints, while the Patriots (5-0) will head back to Foxboro for a big showdown with the Jets.
Patriots Continue to Roll in Third
Tonight is a great example of why the Patriots always defer on the coin toss.
The Patriots trailed the Colts early, and made a few key mistakes. But they closed the half strong, and scored a field goal right before halftime. Then they took possession in the second half, and marched it right down the field on the Colts defense. Classic Belicheck.
After a quiet first half, Brady made a considerable effort to get Gronk involved. It payed off immediately, as Gronkowski separated from his defender and took a short pass from Brady 25 yards for the score.
The way the Patriots are moving, the Colts are in trouble. They need an answer or a stop, and fast.
HALFTIME: Close Contest In-dianapolis
A pick-six from Mike Adams has the Colts ahead by one at the half. (Getty)
Just when it seemed these teams were at their farthest apart, they play their closest game in recent memory.
New England attempted to pull away early, but a pick-six off Tom Brady swung the momentum towards the Colts. The teams then traded touchdowns in what ended up being an action-packed second quarter.
In classic Patriots fashion, Brady navigated a perfect two-minute drill and netted the Pats three points before halftime. The Patriots will take the ball in the second half, looking to regain the lead.
Scrambling Luck Finds Hilton For Six
The Colts have found themselves in a shootout. They’ve done their best to keep pace in the first half, finishing off their effort with a three-yard Luck to Hilton connection.
Luck was magical on the play, maximizing his time in the pocket before finding Hilton at the last moment.
Blount Breaks Away For Long TD
LeGarrette Blount is killing the Colts again.
The Patriots rusher was quiet for most of the first half, but broke loose with nine minutes left in the first half. Dion Lewis has done a lot of the grunt work for New England this year, so it’s good to see Blount show off his burst and remind fans why he’s the starter. And remind Colts fans why they hate him.
That’s called a Blount Deja Vu. Patriots 17, #Colts 14.
So much for #colts run D. Blount 38 TD. And it was easy
Edelman Bobble Leads to Pick Six
Julian Edelman was showing off his finger injury on the sidelines, with no indication that it was affecting him.
If it didn’t hurt, it’s definitely affecting his hands.
A rare bobble from Edelman turned to opportunity for Mike Adams of the Colts, who took Brady’s pass 14 yards to the endzone. It was Adams third interception in two weeks, as Adams is the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Patriots Respond With 10 Play TD Drive
It’s been a while since the Colts scored on their opening possession.
For the Patriots, it’s business as usual.
Tom Brady to Julian Edelman for the touchdown and the Patriots cap off an equally impressive drive to tie it up. A lot of offense so far.
Brady to Edelman for the touchdown. Zero pass rush again. It’s gonna be one of those kinds of games, it seems. Seven all.
Tom Brady led his offense on a 10 play, 80 yard drive, finished by a 12 yard strike to Julian Edelman. The Patriots have arguably the best offense in the league, so tonight will be determined by the Colts ability to keep scoring. Buckle your seatbelts.
Colts Early Gamble Pays Off
4th and 1?
GO FOR IT!
Luck with the perfect pass and Donte Moncrief with an incredible catch.
Touchdown! #NEvsIND http://t.co/b4IFb8uGNZ
On the game’s opening drive, Andrew Luck showed no signs of a shoulder injury that kept him off the field for two weeks. Luck took the Colts right down the field, completing passes to six different receivers. After 12 plays, the Colts were faced with a fourth and one at the Patriots five yard line. Instead of settling, Chuck Pagano kept his offense on the field, trusting Andrew Luck to make the throw.
And he did, connecting with Dante Moncreif on a fade route for the game’s first score.
Luck perfect lob to Moncrief. TD.
Game Preview
Rob Gronkowski is the X-Factor of the Patriots offense. (Getty)
The Patriots have fought investigators, arbitrators, and even the commissioner over deflated footballs.
Their ultimate revenge come Sunday night.
The Colts were the one who first reported under-inflated footballs to the NFL, and the Patriots head to face them for an AFC Championship rematch this week.
The Patriots have owned the Colts in recent years, but tonight could be the biggest blowout yet. The Colts put the Patriots through a ton of unwanted drama this summer, so you know Brady and Belicheck have had Sunday circled on their calendar for some time. Add in the news that Andrew Luck is still questionable to play, and this game might get ugly early.
The Patriots offense has been clicking this year, and is showing no signs of slowing down. They average 423.8 yards per game this season, most in the NFL. And not only is Tom Brady the league leader with 331.3 passing yards per game, he is the only starting QB that hasn’t thrown an interception this season.
