Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots – Week 13 Sunday: NFL Preview
The clash between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots has always been a highly watched one with both the teams having a rivalry dating back to about a decade. However things would be different when they face each other
this Sunday in Gillette Stadium. The absence of Peyton Manning mars much of the excitement in the game. So does the Colts losing all their 11 games this season reduce the vigour.
The encounter this season is the ninth straight one in nine years, which has always added to the excitement of the game. In the past ten years there have been thirteen encounters between the two sides with New England having won
eight of the games. But this does not suggest that New England excels over the Colts. Most of these wins came after a close call including the last one which the Patriots managed to steer 31-28 to their side.
The Colts will have to contend with Dan Orlovsky as the quarterback. Colts performance this season has been a dismal 0-11 resulting in the New England being heavy favourites. So the intensity that the game between the two sides
has always generated seems lost.
The Patriots too have a backup quarterback for the past two games who will continue with his third start. The Patriots have done well in their last two games. They beat Kansas City with a huge margin of 34-3 and later Philadelphia
38-20 last Sunday. The Patriots thus are all fuelled up for the game.
The Patriots are tied with the Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Houston at the top of the conference. They would be looking for a lead this time. New England coach Bill Belichick looked hopeful for an exciting game.
Belichick said that it did not matter much how we played two weeks back. The only thing he said that counts now is how the Colts and New England perform on Sunday.
In the last three games that the Patriots have won, they have averaged 107 yards of rushing and 33 carries.
"I thought it was more balanced. That's how it needs to be, you got to run it. You got to throw it to everybody and you got to keep them off balance." Tom Brady said.
The Colts on the other hand have scored 9 points in their last three games which included about 720 yards of offence.
Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell is still confident of the game generating the same amount of excitement as it has done in the past despite their poor performance this season.
“The dynamics will be different, but just in terms of, obviously, having an opportunity to play against one of the best teams in the league that’s playing extremely well,” Caldwell said adding his team was looking forward to the
game.
Tags: