First Take: Patriots Host Colts in AFC Championship Game
 Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski might have a little extra motivation this week as the team hosts the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game. (USA TODAY Images) |
The New England Patriots will host the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium this Sunday.
The Colts traveled to Denver, pulling off the upset to defeat the Broncos 24-13. The Patriots took care of business Saturday, in a 35-31 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, setting up the second meeting between the teams this season.
These two teams last met Nov. 16, with the Patriots winning 42-20 behind a 201-yard rushing performance by Jonas Gray.
Here's a few early thoughts on the contest. --
- The Patriots have handled the Colts with relative ease in their last three meetings, averaging 26 points-per-victory and outscoring Indianapolis 144-66.
- Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has struggled against New England: 70-for-130, 968 yards, 6 touchdowns, 8 interceptions and a 67.7 QB rating in his career.
- The running game for both teams is an obvious focus for this contest. New England has shredded Indy with the run over the past two meetings. Last year, the Pats and LeGarrette Blount ran the Colts into the ground, same story two months ago with Gray in the backfield.
The Patriots did not have LeGarrette Blount for November's contest, as he was still a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Colts on the other hand totaled four yards on 13 attempts with Ahmad Bradshaw, now on injured-reserve, and Trent Richardson, whose been an afterthought after a disappointing season. Dan Herron is now the starter, carrying the ball 23 times Sunday evening for 63 yards and a touchdown.
- The Jones brothers will be an easy storyline this week, as the Colts' Arthur and Pats' Chandler, were both unavailable for the last meeting.
- Remember when Colts defensive back, Sergio Brown, tweeted post-game that he "put straps" on Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski? Well he does, too. Needless to say, Gronk will be ready for this week's contest as he, and the rest of Patriots Nation, remembers it a little differently. When the All-Pro tight end "threw (Brown) out of the club", it cost him $8,268 in league fines.
Overall, it's a given the majority of Pats fans will be highly optimistic this week. Based on the last few meetings, it's justified. With that being said, Bill Belichick will focus on getting the team locked in. It's a one week season, and before you plan your trip to Glendale, AZ, we'll see if New England can get the job done this Sunday.
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Listen to our “Patriots 4th and 2 Podcast” on Blog Talk Radio as writers Russ Goldman, Steve Balestrieri and I from PatsFans.com discuss the latest Patriots news on Wednesday.
