Patriots
The Patriots, well-rested coming off a bye week, are back at it against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night. Kickoff is 8:20 p.m. You can watch on NFL Network or Ch. 4.
Over the last 20 years, the Patriots and Colts have had engaged in one of the NFL’s best rivalries. From serving as the backdrop for Tom Brady’s first career start, through some memorable playoff battles in the early days of the 21st century, through Deflategate and into a new era, the two teams have always made for compelling theater.
Will tonight mark a renewal of the rivalry? We’ll be offering live updates throughout.
A few stats to look for tonight — 6:38 p.m.
•The Patriots will look to improve to a 7-0 road record. The Patriots have finished undefeated on the road twice in franchise history (2007 and 2016).
•The Patriots rushed for 222 yards against Buffalo in the last game and have a chance to record back-to-back 200-yard rushing games for the first time since 2012 when the team rushed for 247 and 251 yards in back-to-back weeks against the Bills (9/30) and the Broncos (10/7).
•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 1964 through 1968 against the Denver Broncos.
•Nick Folk tied his career high with an NFL-leading 33 field goals in 2021 and needs one more to establish a new single-season career-high.
•Jakobi Meyers completed two passes for 45 yards in Week 4 against Tampa Bay. He is now 4-of-4 for 88 yards with two touchdowns and a perfect 158.3 passer rating in his career. If he completes one more pass in 2021, he will be the first Patriots wide receiver to complete more than two passes in a single season.
•Mac Jones has won his first six road games to join Dak Prescott (6 in 2016 with Dallas) and Ben Roethlisberger (6 in 2004 with Pittsburgh) as the only rookie quarterbacks to win each of their first six road games in league annals. With a victory at Indianapolis, Jones will set the rookie mark and become the first rookie quarterback to win his first seven road games.
•J.C. Jackson has 24 career interceptions, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Kenny Easley (24 interceptions) and Richard Sherman (24) for the third-most by a player in his first four seasons since 1970. Only Lester Hayes (25 interceptions) and Everson Walls (25) have more.
•Matthew Judon increased his 2021 sack total to 12 ½ with an 9-yard sack of Josh Allen in the fourth quarter at Buffalo. He is tied with Chandler Jones (12 ½ in 2015) and Mike Vrabel (12 ½ in 2007) for the most sacks in a season by a Patriots player under Bill Belichick and needs one more sack to have the most in the Belichick Era.
(All courtesy of the Patriots’ PR staff)
Glove story — 6:28 p.m.
What needs to happen for the Patriots to clinch a playoff spot this weekend? — 6:25 p.m.
The Patriots can clinch a playoff spot this weekend with the following:
•NE win + MIA loss or tie + CLE loss + BAL loss OR
•NE win + MIA loss or tie + CLE loss + DEN loss or tie + PIT loss or tie OR
•NE win + MIA loss or tie + CLE-LV tie + DEN loss + BAL loss OR
•NE win + MIA loss or tie + DEN-CIN tie + BAL loss
NOTE: There are other scenarios for New England that involve multiple ties.
Pregame reading list — 6:10 p.m.
The best way to prep for tonight’s contest:
Stat model shows how big the playoff implications are for Patriots in Saturday’s game against Colts
5 Colts players to watch against the Patriots in Week 15
What NFL experts are predicting for Saturday’s Patriots-Colts game
Welcome back — 6:00 p.m.
After an extended stretch away, we’re back to football tonight with the Patriots and Colts, live from Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. You’re going to want to keep it here all evening long for the latest on what promises to be one of the most compelling games of the season. We’ll have all the pregame information, including the latest betting line, inactive analysis, a look around the league at what games New England fans should care about the next few days, and much more. Let’s get started: CUE THE ORCHESTRA.
