Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

SCOUTING THE MATCHUPS

When the Patriots run – Edge: Colts

The Patriots functioning sport has slowed substantially above the past few weeks, most lately through Sunday’s earn more than the Jets. Given that racking up a job substantial 161 yards from the lowly Lions, Rhamondre Stevenson has been held in check out against Cleveland, Chicago and the Jets with only an occasional significant perform allowing for his quantities to continue to be respectable. Against the Jets he broke numerous tackles on a 35-garden run, but or else was limited to 36 yards on his 15 other carries. Even with the chunk enjoy the Patriots managed only 3.7 yards for each have on 34 tries for the activity as Damien Harris was held in check as very well with 11 carries for 37 yards. Indianapolis can be stout against the run. For the time the Colts rank 18th in operate defense allowing 120 yards per match, but they leap to 3rd with an regular of just 4 yards for every carry. These figures turn into much more impressive when contemplating they’ve taken on Derrick Henry and Titans two times already this year. Up entrance the Colts have DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart preserving linebackers Shaquille Leonard, Bobby Okereke and Zaire Franklin. That team has held up well, particularly when Leonard has been healthier and in the lineup. The Patriots are dealing with some troubles along the offensive line with David Andrews lacking the Jets video game because of to a concussion, and rookie Cole Unusual receiving benched immediately after battling most of the day. Isaiah Wynn moved inside to still left guard following getting rid of his proper deal with position to Marcus Cannon. No matter of personnel, the blocking desires to increase if Stevenson and Harris are to get back again on track.

When the Patriots move – Edge: Colts

The Colts secondary has also performed effectively for the most aspect, rating eighth in the league making it possible for 199.8 yards per match. A pair of previous Patriots, Kenny Moore and Stephon Gilmore, are the starting up corners with Rodney McLeod and Rodney Thomas doing work at security. Isaiah Rodgers also plays a whole-time job as the nickel back, and the group has been aided by a reliable pass hurry led by Buckner and Yannick Ngakoue, who lead the workforce with four sacks apiece. Kwity Paye, who missed very last week’s reduction to the Commanders, chips in with three sacks and the Colts have 19 as a workforce. In the meantime the Patriots are coming off a depressing recreation in move protection that saw Mac Jones get sacked six occasions and pressured on plenty of other folks. The Jets managed to produce havoc devoid of blitzing and the Colts may perhaps test to use comparable strategies and hold added bodies in protection. Other than Jakobi Meyers, who was his usually helpful self on third down, Jones didn’t have a lot of choices in the passing game. Stevenson was obtainable for checkdowns, but normally it was a wrestle. Provided the Colts achievements on defense therefore significantly this time, coupled with the struggles of the Patriots passing activity, it is challenging to assume substantially to improve this 7 days.

When the Colts run – Edge: Patriots

Injuries and inconsistency up entrance have definitely confined the Colts vaunted dashing assault in 2022. Jonathan Taylor ran roughshod around the league a 12 months back but this year he’s been held to relatively pedestrian numbers – 462 yards on 197 carries for a 4.3-lawn average and just one touchdown. Taylor has missed time owing to an ankle harm and was pressured to sit out parts of the reduction to Washington, and he will most likely be at much less than 100 {f5ac61d6de3ce41dbc84aacfdb352f5c66627c6ee4a1c88b0642321258bd5462} on Sunday as very well. But the authentic surprising ingredient of the Colts struggles has been the engage in of the offensive line. Stalwarts Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly have not been their dominant selves and that has led to Indianapolis ranking 29th in the league with just 87.8 yards for every game on the floor. The Patriots have been inconsistent stopping the operate this period but are coming off a reliable effort and hard work in which they confined the Jets to 3.4 yards for each have on 15 tries. Lawrence Dude and Davon Godchaux aided fill the void remaining by Christian Barmore’s absence as equally performed properly up entrance. In addition, the edges did a superior job of made up of tries to get outside the tackles, specially Deatrich Clever. That group will be counted on to consist of Taylor, primarily with Indy heading with next-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger for just his 2nd occupation start out.

When the Colts pass – Edge: Patriots

Indy was merely turning the ball more than also normally all through the year so head mentor Frank Reich was forced to make a modify. Matt Ryan tossed nine interceptions and experienced 11 fumbles, while the Colts dropped only 3 of them, then he experienced a shoulder injuries. But the final decision to make the switch to Ehlinger experienced now been manufactured. Ehlinger was a standout dual-danger quarterback at Texas, but he lacks dimensions at 6-1 and polish as a passer, so he is very much a get the job done in development. He executed well in his debut, finishing 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He did lose a expensive fumble in the pink zone, but or else he experienced his team in place to acquire up 16-7 with significantly less than five minutes to perform. Michael Pittman was his beloved target as the two connected 7 periods but for only 53 yards. Pittman qualified prospects the staff with 51 receptions for 528 yards and a landing. Rookie Alec Pierce has emerged as a deep threat currently and he averages 15.5 yards on his 24 catches. Parris Campbell (30-282-2) and managing back again Nyheim Hines (25-188-) are also big areas of the passing recreation, assuming Ehlinger gets the time to throw. The Colts have allowed 26 sacks on the period, such as two for Ehlinger past 7 days, and the Patriots have accomplished a reliable position of developing strain.

Distinctive Teams – Edge: Patriots

New England loved a single of its far better times on particular teams versus the Jets. Nick Folks drilled five area plans such as makes from 42, 45, 49 and 52 yards out. Jake Bailey placed two kicks inside the 20 and almost had a third that turned into a touchback when rookie DaMarcus Mitchell could not maintain himself out of the finish zone. Marcus Jones ripped off a 32-lawn punt return, and the kickoff protection stopped Braxton Berrios 2 times inside of the 20. Overall it was a powerful working day in the kicking sport soon after a few months of sloppiness. The Colts are doing work on their 2nd team of specialists with Chase McLaughlin using more than for the disappointing Rodrigo Blankenship at kicker and Matt Haack replacing wounded punter Rigoberto Sanchez. McLaughlin has been rock strong, producing 13 of 14 area ambitions and all 8 PATs. Hines and Rodgers deal with kicks and punts, respectively, and each has had some achievements. The Colts punt coverage has been remarkable, letting just 5.6 yards for each return for the time. Provided Jones’ explosiveness, that could be a crucial matchup to look at on distinctive teams.