This Sunday afternoon, an exciting AFC showdown is set as the Indianapolis Colts (5-7) face off against the New England Patriots (3-9). Their last meeting was a memorable clash in Germany last season, where the Colts edged out the Patriots with a narrow 10-6 victory. Following a disappointing home loss to the Lions (24-6), the Colts are looking to rebound, while the Patriots recently suffered a defeat against the Dolphins, losing 34-15. Currently, the Colts are favored by 2.5 points for this matchup. The game will kick off at 1:00 EST at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and will be broadcast regionally on CBS.
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Who will emerge victorious in this AFC clash? Continue reading for predictions and analysis on the Colts vs. Patriots game.
Colts Struggling with Consistency
The Indianapolis Colts find themselves in a challenging stretch, having lost four of their last five games. Initially starting with quarterback Anthony Richardson, they switched to veteran Joe Flacco but have now reverted back to Richardson. Their only win during this tough period was against the struggling Jets. Positioned second in the AFC South, the Colts remain hopeful for a playoff spot in a competitive conference. In their last outing, Richardson struggled, completing just 11 of 28 passes for 172 yards, as the offense could only muster two field goals against Detroit.
Head coach Shane Steichen addressed the team’s red zone issues, stating, “This league comes down to inches and yards; you’ve got to capitalize on those opportunities. We’ve had problems in the red zone, and it’s time to review the tape to correct them.” Despite his challenges, Richardson has accumulated 1,402 passing yards this season but has a low completion percentage of 47.1%. His touchdown-to-interception ratio stands at 5-7. In addition to his passing duties, he also ranks second on the team with 335 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Leading the ground game is Jonathan Taylor, who has 708 rushing yards and five touchdowns to his name, although he has been limited to less than 60 rushing yards in his last two games. The primary receiving threat is Alec Pierce, a tall 6’3″ receiver with 27 catches for 629 yards and four touchdowns.
In terms of scoring, the Colts are ranked 21st in the NFL, averaging 20.2 points per game. On the defensive side, they sit in the middle, allowing 22.8 points per game. Linebacker Zaire Franklin leads the team in tackles with 123 and contributes to the pass rush with one of the 28 sacks recorded this season. Defensive end Kwity Paye is the sack leader with 5.5. The Colts have also tallied eight interceptions, with cornerback Jaylon Jones contributing two of them.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR Alec Pierce, WR Josh Downs, G Tanor Bortolini, T Bernhard Raimann.
Patriots Facing Tough Season
The New England Patriots are among the teams with the most losses this season, currently tied with three others for nine losses overall. With the Raiders, Jaguars, and Giants also struggling, the Patriots find themselves on the brink of playoff elimination. They have lost three of their last four games, with their only recent win coming against the Bears. In their last game against the Miami Dolphins, rookie quarterback Drake Maye threw for 222 yards and a touchdown but still faced a 19-point defeat.
Drake Maye has stepped into the starting role and remains hopeful despite the team’s struggles. He commented after the Dolphins game, “We got our butts whipped today, and it’s only up from here. We’ve got a bright future and the right players in there for the Patriots.” Maye has played in eight games, accumulating 1,458 passing yards and maintaining a 65.5% completion rate with a 10-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has also shown mobility, rushing for 286 yards this season. Rhamondre Stevenson leads the backfield with 598 rushing yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry, along with six touchdowns. However, his workload was limited against Miami as he split carries with Antonio Gibson. Tight end Hunter Henry is the primary target in the passing game, recording 51 receptions for 535 yards and one touchdown.
Offensively, the Patriots rank 31st in the league, averaging just 16.4 points per game, while defensively, they rank 19th, allowing 23.5 points per game. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai leads the team in tackles with 83 and has contributed to the defensive line with one of the 27 sacks. Defensive end Keion White also plays a crucial role with five sacks. The Patriots have managed to secure four interceptions from different players this season, including hard-hitting safety Jabrill Peppers.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR DeMario Douglas, DE Deatrich Wise Jr., DE Keion White, LB Anfernee Jennings, S Jabrill Peppers, S Kyle Duggar.
Bet Predictions for Colts vs. Patriots
