Indianapolis Colts Vs New England Patriots Pre-Game Primer

Jan 11, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks to pass during the fourth quarter of the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts (6-3) after a bye week come home after a two-game road streak to take on the New England Patriots (7-2) in a huge matchup for control of the AFC. If the Colts can manage a win in this one, a power triangle would be created between the AFC titans with the Colts previously losing to the Broncos but the Patriots uprooting Denver two weeks ago.

Indy comes into the matchup off of a bye week after a solid road win against the New York Giants on Monday. Luck was nearly flawless all night while spreading out the offense was a priority. New England is coming off a 43-21 home tromping of the dominant Denver Broncos. New England has been a dominant team, winning five in a row since their embarrassing loss to the Chiefs in September.

Game Information:

Sunday, November 16, 8:30 p.m. EST
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Television: NBC

Here’s what you should be watching for in Sunday night’s game:

• Andrew Luck’s proficiency: This may be the best defense that Andrew Luck has faced so far this year. New England has a talented secondary, led by Darrelle Revis, perhaps the best corner that Andrew Luck has ever faced. Luck has been enjoying the best season of his young career with the Colts but will see a sure roadblock from the New England defense on Sunday. If the Colts want to win this game, Luck will have to be pinpoint accurate and make minimal mistakes in this one.
• Stopping Tom Brady: It’s not a secret: in order to stop Tom Brady, it’s necessary to get him on the ground. The Colts have provided a great pass rush so far this season while Robert Mathis rides the bench with a torn Achilles tendon. When Brady is pressured, he starts seeing ghosts and scrambles wildly. If Cory Redding, Erik Walden and Bjoern Werner can get into the backfield consistently and make Tom run around, it could spell success for the Colts defense.
• Covering Rob Gronkowski: You’ve heard it all week; Rob Gronkowski is really good. Nothing about that should change on Sunday against the Colts; he’s sure to have a fantastic day against a defense that cannot cover tight ends. Gronkowski is a huge body that somehow has hands to boot. The Patriots’ best player (Brady excluded) will feast on Indy, there’s not doubting that. The biggest key will be to stopping him in the red zone. Gronk is as reliable an end zone target as there is in the NFL. The Colts will attempt to cover him by putting a safety or linebacker on him at all times, attempting to match his size. Winning this game means holding Gronk out of the end zone.

Injury Updates

Indianapolis Colts: Probable: WR Reggie Wayne (rest), OLB Victor Butler (hamstring), OLB Erik Walden (quad), LB Josh McNary (ankle), ILB Henoc Muamba (toe) | Questionable: T Gosder Cherilus (groin) | Out: DT Arthur Jones (ankle)

New England Patriots: Probable: QB Tom Brady (ankle), WR Matthew Slater (shoulder) | Questionable: OL Cameron Fleming (finger), OL Wendell Ryan (knee), DL Dominique Easley (knee), DB Nate Ebner (finger) | Out: DE Chandler Jones (hip)