Yeah cause the colts aren't going to be a challenge for either Houston or New England
New England has played some tough games against good offenses and defenses, the Colts have not. They have feasted on terrible teams. They barely won against 3 bad teams (MIA, JAX, SaF, combined 9-12), dominated a decent team (Arizona, although they looked awful last week), and dominated 3 terrible teams (SEA,TEN,STL). Their strength of schedule so far is 17-33 (0.34%).
They have averaged 28.1 PPG and 403.6 YPG against defenses averaging 24.2 PPG (surrendered) and 350 YPG (surrendered). That is +3.9 PPG (relative) and +53.6 YPG (relative).
On defense, they have averaged giving up a 13 PPG and 292.1 YPG. Their opponents averaged 19 PPG and 312 YPG. That is -6 PPG (relative) and -19.9 YPG (relative).
Of the teams faced, not a single one was a top 10 defense or offense.
That means they have been average offensively (relative to teams faced) and above average defensively.
As for the Pats, we have faced great teams, along with 2 terrible teams, but our strength of schedule has been more difficult (22-29, .43%). They faced 2 undefeated teams that were hot (Balt, Broncos). They faced 1 top ten offense and 2 top ten defenses.
The Pats averaged 28.3 PPG and 406 PPG against defenses averaging 21.7 PPG (surrendered) and 339.4 YPG (Surrendered). That is +6.6 PPG (relative) and +67 YPG (relative).
The Pats defense averaged 14 PPG (surrendered) and 285.7 YPG (surrendered). Their opponents averaged 20 PPG and 324.4 YPG. That is -6 PPG (relative) and -38.7 YPG (relative).
Stacked up:
Offense:
Colts: +3.9 PPG, +53.6 YPG
Pats: +6.6 PPG, +67 YPG
Defense:
Colts -6 PPG, -19.9 PPG
Pats: -6 PPG, -38.7 YPG.
Pats have performed better offensively and just as good (if not better) defensively. We faced tougher teams and bigger games (undefeated vs good teams, Jets, etc) with a QB who was coming back from a year long injury, a supposed "lack of a running game", and a new defense. We lost 2 games against tough opponents, with Brady's rust playing a major role. Our Py-thag W/L projection is almost identical to IND (5.9-1.1 vs IND 6-1). Difference in record? Tougher teams/circumstances.
It's going to be a challenge for both teams, but NE has already been challenged by good/great teams and tough situations (Jets, Ravens, Broncos). The Colt's toughest challenge was a 1-1 Arizona team that is a good, but not great.
Also, just to throw this in here, I compared our relative rushing attack and for a team that isn't committed to the run (or really designed for it), we have averaged 4.1 YPC and 115 YPG to teams giving up 4.2 YPC and 121.7 YPG. A -0.1 YPC and -6.7 YPG (relative) in the running game doesn't concern me one bit.
