The Colts have had no consistent run game for a number of weeks, which resulted in no commitment to it. What was more interesting was how the Patriots matched up against Indianapolis in the passing game.
The Patriots’ nickel package early in the game featured four cornerbacks and safety Devin McCourty.
The Patriots used defenders in different ways. Darrelle Revis traveled to match up with Reggie Wayne, especially as the game progressed.
Revis’ outstanding man-to-man coverage led to a Luck interception in the second quarter. Luck threw to Wayne out of the inside slot on a three-receiver side in a three-by-one set. Revis had outstanding man-to-man coverage, and McCourty picked off Luck.
Revis had a specific assignment, but other defensive backs were used in a variety of ways. Cornerback Brandon Browner spent time covering tight end Coby Fleener, receivers T.Y. Hilton, Hakeem Nicks and Donte Moncrief. Cornerback Logan Ryan, who was the fourth cornerback when the Patriots used four corners and a single safety, covered Nicks, Moncrief and Fleener. The Patriots used a lot of different combinations. They didn’t blitz much either.
They just played a coverage-based defense with a lot of man-to-man looks. They went with man-coverage concepts on 77 percent of Luck’s 40 drop backs. The Patriots played nickel 55 percent of the time and dime 32 – so they used extra defensive backs on 87 percent of downs. That could be a byproduct of the Colts’ lack of a run game.
There are two big takeaways from the matchup.
The Patriots’ strength in pass defense lies in their versatility and man-to-man flexibility, plus the ability of linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins to stay on the field in all situations. Also, the Colts at this point have a one-dimensional offense, and Luck must play great for them to have a chance to beat high-level teams. He wasn't perfect on Sunday night, especially against a Patriots team that had a great plan on both sides of the ball.