The New England Patriots will return to Gillette Stadium to face the Indianapolis Colts prior to the Bye Week. It is the fourth-straight season the two teams will be meeting. Last season, the Patriots hosted the Colts in Frankfurt, Germany on Nov. 12. The Colts prevailed with a 10-6 victory in that game.
Photo by David Silverman
The two teams share a long rivalry, as the Patriots and the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts played twice each year from 1970 to 2001 as members of the AFC East, with the exception of the 1982 strike season.
After realignment in 2002 when the Colts moved to the AFC South, the teams played in the regular season every year for 10-straight seasons from 2003 through 2012, with New England holding a 6-4 edge in those games.
Overall, this week's game will be the 85th meeting between the two teams. The Patriots lead the series with a 49-30 record in the regular season and a 4-1 record in the postseason.
New England holds a 31-13 overall record against Indianapolis in home games, including 10-2 at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots own a 4-1 record overall against Indianapolis in the postseason, including a 4-0 record in playoff games played in New England. Three of the five postseason contests were in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots are 2-1 in those contests.
The clubs have clashed in the playoffs following the 2003, '04, '06, '13 and '14 seasons. The Patriots beat the Colts in the 2003 AFC Championship Game 24-14 at Gillette Stadium, won 20-3 at Gillette Stadium in a 2004 AFC Divisional Playoff, lost in the 2006 AFC Championship Game 38-34 at Indianapolis, won in the 2013 AFC Divisional meeting 43-22 at Gillette Stadium and took a 45-7 decision in the 2014 AFC Championship Game.
Record in New England 31-13 (Incl. 4-0 in playoffs)
Largest Margin of Defeat: 31 points (11/26/72)
Longest Winning Streak: 8 (2010-2018)
Longest Losing Streak: 3 (1970-71, 2005-06)
Photo by Eric J. Adler
When the Patriots run - Edge: Patriots
The Patriots running game hasn't been in gear for several weeks, but the Colts run defense has struggled for much of the season. Indy ranks 27th in the league, allowing an average of 142.6 rushing yards per game, and 18th at 4.4 yards per carry. Rhamondre Stevenson isn't getting many holes to run through, but Antonio Gibson has shown some flashes of production. He's taken advantage of some lighter boxes in passing situations, particularly in Miami when he finished with 31 yards on six carries. The offensive line will need to do a better job of creating space, and despite the Colts struggles they do have some quality players up front. That starts with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart on the inside. That tandem will be tough on Ben Brown, Michael Jordan and Mike Onwenu and won't be easy for Stevenson to navigate. Buckner and Stewart protect middle linebacker Zaire Franklin well, and the veteran once again is piling up the tackles for the Colts defense. If the Patriots can have success early and jump out to the lead, Stevenson and Gibson should be able to rack up some yards on Indy's front seven. But that hasn't been the case in recent weeks, and Stevenson has been held in check as a result.
When the Patriots pass - Edge: Patriots
Drake Maye is coming off the worst game of his rookie season in Miami. Maye was sacked four times, turned the ball over twice and was blanked for three quarters before firing a late touchdown pass. That came on the heels of his best performance to date in the loss to the Rams a week earlier. Like most rookies, Maye is going through some bouts of inconsistency as he deals with the rigors of NFL life. He'll need some added protection against a Colts defense that can put heat on the passer. Indy has 28 sacks this season, led by 5.5 from Kwity Paye and 4.5 from Buckner. Buckner is the type of interior pocket disruptor that has given the Patriots trouble over the years and Maye will need to do a better job of handling the traffic around him. If given the time, Maye should be able to find DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne and Hunter Henry against a struggling Colts secondary. Corners Kenny Moore, Samuel Womack and Jaylon Jones combined for five picks but otherwise rank near the bottom of the league. Indy sits 27th against the pass, allowing 233.3 yards per game through the air, and 23rd at 7.1 yards per pass play. Maye has shown the ability to carve up a secondary when given time, so protection will be key in this one.
When the Colts run - Edge: Colts
Jonathan Taylor remains one of the most dangerous runners in the league, and despite some recent struggles he's still getting the job done in Indy. Taylor leads the Colts ground game with 708 yards on 161 carries, good for a solid 4.4-yard average with five touchdowns. He's a tough, between-the-tackles runner who possesses the speed to deliver the home run ball as well. The Patriots run defense has stabilized in recent weeks after several games where it struggled in that department. Miami averaged just 2.7 yards per carry last week after rushing for 193 yards in the teams' first meeting back in Week 5. But New England still ranks 18th in run defense, allowing 123 yards per game on the ground. That number improves slightly to 12th at 4.3 yards per carry, but the Colts also like to incorporate quarterback Anthony Richardson into the mix. Richardson averages 5.5 yards per carry and has been used on designed runs more frequently since returning to the starting lineup two weeks ago in the win over the Jets. The Patriots have used Brenden Schooler as a spy on a handful of snaps and it's possible that DeMarcus Covington could go that route again, particularly given the injury problems the Colts are suffering through along the offensive line. Expect the Colts to lean on Taylor early in an effort to take some pressure off their young quarterback.
When the Colts pass - Edge: Patriots
Richardson is still very much a work in progress. At times his abundant skills are on display with impressive downfield throws that result in a variety of big plays for the Colts. But he struggles with consistency and his efficiency suffers as a result. Richardson's most recent outing came against Detroit when he completed just 11 of 28 passes but managed to throw for 172 yards. He completes just 47.1 percent of his passes for the season but can turn in a number of big plays when given the opportunity. The Colts have a solid trio of receivers, featuring Josh Downs (53 catches, 594 yards, 4 TDs), Michael Pittman (41-508-2) and Alec Pierce (27-629-4), and the latter two can create problems with their size at 6-4 and 6-3, respectively. Downs is dealing with a shoulder injury and is questionable for the Patriots game. The problem for Indy is Richardson just isn't accurate enough to take advantage of these potential mismatches, which is why he was benched for veteran Joe Flacco earlier in the season. The Patriots secondary was riddled each of the last two weeks and will look to bounce back against a Colts passing attack that hasn't shown the ability to consistently get in gear without the benefit of the long ball. Christian Gonzalez & Co. will need to make sure that doesn't happen Sunday.
Special Teams - Edge: Colts
Aside from Marcus Jones' tremendous ability to return punts, there hasn't been much to love about the Patriots special teams. Joey Slye missed a 45-yard field goal in Miami, a week after having a PAT blocked against the Rams. Punter Bryce Baringer had another touchback against the Dolphins, his league-leading eighth. On the plus side the coverage was better against Miami after some shaky moments in previous weeks but overall, it hasn't been great in the so-called third phase. Indy's specialists are solid with kicker Matt Gay and punter Rigoberto Sanchez. Gay is 21 of 24 on field goals this season with all three misses coming from beyond 50 yards while Sanchez has a solid 44-yard net punting average with just four touchbacks against 22 downed inside the opponent's 20. Downs is a shifty punt returner, averaging 10.1 yards per return but the shoulder injury suffered in the loss to the Lions leaves him questionable. Tyler Goodson returns kicks for the Colts but hasn't had many opportunities, averaging 27 yards on his seven attempts.
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PATRIOTS IN THROWBACKS AT HOME
The Patriots will wear throwback uniforms this week for the second time this season. The uniforms are based on the ones worn from 1984-1992 and then sporadically from 1994-2012 as an alternate uniform. The Patriots will wear red jerseys with white pants and a white helmet featuring the "Pat Patriot" logo with white facemasks. The Patriots are 7-4 when wearing throwback uniforms at home. New England has worn uniforms featuring the old "Pat Patriot" logo at home 11 times since switching to the current logo in 1993.
Photo by David Silverman
SERIES HISTORY
The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts will meet for the fourth-straight season in 2024. Last season, the Patriots hosted Indianapolis in the team's first home International Series Game in Frankfurt, Germany, a 10-6 Colts win on Nov. 12, 2023. The Patriots traveled to Indianapolis on Dec. 18, 2021, and lost 27-17. The loss snapped a seven-game win streak for the Patriots that season, as well as ending an eight-game win streak against the Colts and a streak of nine-straight games scoring 30 points against the Colts. The Patriots avenged that loss in 2022 when they hosted the Colts and won 26-3 on Nov. 6, 2022.The two teams share a long rivalry, as the Patriots and the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts played twice each year from 1970 to 2001 as members of the AFC East, with the exception of the 1982 strike season.
After realignment in 2002 when the Colts moved to the AFC South, the teams played in the regular season every year for 10-straight seasons from 2003 through 2012, with New England holding a 6-4 edge in those games.
Overall, this week's game will be the 85th meeting between the two teams. The Patriots lead the series with a 49-30 record in the regular season and a 4-1 record in the postseason.
New England holds a 31-13 overall record against Indianapolis in home games, including 10-2 at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots own a 4-1 record overall against Indianapolis in the postseason, including a 4-0 record in playoff games played in New England. Three of the five postseason contests were in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots are 2-1 in those contests.
The clubs have clashed in the playoffs following the 2003, '04, '06, '13 and '14 seasons. The Patriots beat the Colts in the 2003 AFC Championship Game 24-14 at Gillette Stadium, won 20-3 at Gillette Stadium in a 2004 AFC Divisional Playoff, lost in the 2006 AFC Championship Game 38-34 at Indianapolis, won in the 2013 AFC Divisional meeting 43-22 at Gillette Stadium and took a 45-7 decision in the 2014 AFC Championship Game.
SERIES TRENDS
NEW ENGLAND 53, INDIANAPOLIS 31Record in New England 31-13 (Incl. 4-0 in playoffs)
- Record in Foxborough 31-11 (4-0)
- Record in Boston 0-1
- Frankfurt, Germany 0-1
- Record in Indianapolis 16-10 (0-1)
- Record in Baltimore 6-8
Largest Margin of Defeat: 31 points (11/26/72)
Longest Winning Streak: 8 (2010-2018)
Longest Losing Streak: 3 (1970-71, 2005-06)
PATRIOTS - COLTS QUICK HITS
- The Patriots and Colts both passed the 1990s San Francisco 49ers for the all-time best wins mark for a decade in NFL history. New England had 126 wins from 2000-09, while Indianapolis had 124 wins over that span. San Francisco had 122 wins in the 1990s. The Patriots surpassed that mark by finishing the 2010s with 141 total victories.
Photo by Eric J. Adler
SCOUTING THE MATCHUPS
By Paul PerilloWhen the Patriots run - Edge: Patriots
The Patriots running game hasn't been in gear for several weeks, but the Colts run defense has struggled for much of the season. Indy ranks 27th in the league, allowing an average of 142.6 rushing yards per game, and 18th at 4.4 yards per carry. Rhamondre Stevenson isn't getting many holes to run through, but Antonio Gibson has shown some flashes of production. He's taken advantage of some lighter boxes in passing situations, particularly in Miami when he finished with 31 yards on six carries. The offensive line will need to do a better job of creating space, and despite the Colts struggles they do have some quality players up front. That starts with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart on the inside. That tandem will be tough on Ben Brown, Michael Jordan and Mike Onwenu and won't be easy for Stevenson to navigate. Buckner and Stewart protect middle linebacker Zaire Franklin well, and the veteran once again is piling up the tackles for the Colts defense. If the Patriots can have success early and jump out to the lead, Stevenson and Gibson should be able to rack up some yards on Indy's front seven. But that hasn't been the case in recent weeks, and Stevenson has been held in check as a result.
When the Patriots pass - Edge: Patriots
Drake Maye is coming off the worst game of his rookie season in Miami. Maye was sacked four times, turned the ball over twice and was blanked for three quarters before firing a late touchdown pass. That came on the heels of his best performance to date in the loss to the Rams a week earlier. Like most rookies, Maye is going through some bouts of inconsistency as he deals with the rigors of NFL life. He'll need some added protection against a Colts defense that can put heat on the passer. Indy has 28 sacks this season, led by 5.5 from Kwity Paye and 4.5 from Buckner. Buckner is the type of interior pocket disruptor that has given the Patriots trouble over the years and Maye will need to do a better job of handling the traffic around him. If given the time, Maye should be able to find DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne and Hunter Henry against a struggling Colts secondary. Corners Kenny Moore, Samuel Womack and Jaylon Jones combined for five picks but otherwise rank near the bottom of the league. Indy sits 27th against the pass, allowing 233.3 yards per game through the air, and 23rd at 7.1 yards per pass play. Maye has shown the ability to carve up a secondary when given time, so protection will be key in this one.
When the Colts run - Edge: Colts
Jonathan Taylor remains one of the most dangerous runners in the league, and despite some recent struggles he's still getting the job done in Indy. Taylor leads the Colts ground game with 708 yards on 161 carries, good for a solid 4.4-yard average with five touchdowns. He's a tough, between-the-tackles runner who possesses the speed to deliver the home run ball as well. The Patriots run defense has stabilized in recent weeks after several games where it struggled in that department. Miami averaged just 2.7 yards per carry last week after rushing for 193 yards in the teams' first meeting back in Week 5. But New England still ranks 18th in run defense, allowing 123 yards per game on the ground. That number improves slightly to 12th at 4.3 yards per carry, but the Colts also like to incorporate quarterback Anthony Richardson into the mix. Richardson averages 5.5 yards per carry and has been used on designed runs more frequently since returning to the starting lineup two weeks ago in the win over the Jets. The Patriots have used Brenden Schooler as a spy on a handful of snaps and it's possible that DeMarcus Covington could go that route again, particularly given the injury problems the Colts are suffering through along the offensive line. Expect the Colts to lean on Taylor early in an effort to take some pressure off their young quarterback.
When the Colts pass - Edge: Patriots
Richardson is still very much a work in progress. At times his abundant skills are on display with impressive downfield throws that result in a variety of big plays for the Colts. But he struggles with consistency and his efficiency suffers as a result. Richardson's most recent outing came against Detroit when he completed just 11 of 28 passes but managed to throw for 172 yards. He completes just 47.1 percent of his passes for the season but can turn in a number of big plays when given the opportunity. The Colts have a solid trio of receivers, featuring Josh Downs (53 catches, 594 yards, 4 TDs), Michael Pittman (41-508-2) and Alec Pierce (27-629-4), and the latter two can create problems with their size at 6-4 and 6-3, respectively. Downs is dealing with a shoulder injury and is questionable for the Patriots game. The problem for Indy is Richardson just isn't accurate enough to take advantage of these potential mismatches, which is why he was benched for veteran Joe Flacco earlier in the season. The Patriots secondary was riddled each of the last two weeks and will look to bounce back against a Colts passing attack that hasn't shown the ability to consistently get in gear without the benefit of the long ball. Christian Gonzalez & Co. will need to make sure that doesn't happen Sunday.
Special Teams - Edge: Colts
Aside from Marcus Jones' tremendous ability to return punts, there hasn't been much to love about the Patriots special teams. Joey Slye missed a 45-yard field goal in Miami, a week after having a PAT blocked against the Rams. Punter Bryce Baringer had another touchback against the Dolphins, his league-leading eighth. On the plus side the coverage was better against Miami after some shaky moments in previous weeks but overall, it hasn't been great in the so-called third phase. Indy's specialists are solid with kicker Matt Gay and punter Rigoberto Sanchez. Gay is 21 of 24 on field goals this season with all three misses coming from beyond 50 yards while Sanchez has a solid 44-yard net punting average with just four touchbacks against 22 downed inside the opponent's 20. Downs is a shifty punt returner, averaging 10.1 yards per return but the shoulder injury suffered in the loss to the Lions leaves him questionable. Tyler Goodson returns kicks for the Colts but hasn't had many opportunities, averaging 27 yards on his seven attempts.
TALE OF THE TAPE
| 2024 REGULAR SEASON | NEW ENGLAND | INDIANAPOLIS |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 3-9 | 5-7 |
| Divisional Standings | 4th | 2nd |
| Total Yards Gained | 3,362 | 3,796 |
| Total Offense (Rank) | 280.2 (32) | 316.3 (22) |
| Rush Offense | 112.8 (21) | 116.7 (17) |
| Pass Offense | 167.3 (32) | 199.7 (24) |
| Points Per Game | 16.4 (31) | 20.2 (21) |
| Total Yards Allowed | 4,170 | 4,510 |
| Total Defense (Rank) | 347.5 (22) | 375.8 (28) |
| Rush Defense | 123.1 (18) | 142.6 (27) |
| Pass Defense | 224.4 (22) | 233.3 (27) |
| Points Allowed/Game | 23.5 (19) | 22.8 (16) |
| Possession Avg. | 29:13 | 26:22 |
| Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost | 39/278 | 24/197 |
| Sacks Made/Yards | 27/151 | 28/189 |
| Total Touchdowns Scored | 20 | 26 |
| Penalties Against/Yards | 81/630 | 70/502 |
| Punts/Avg. | 57/50.4 | 52/50.0 |
| Turnover Differential | -7 (27T) | -1 (19T) |
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rhamondre Stevenson
#38 RB- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 227 lbs
- College: Oklahoma
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson enters this week in 11th place in team history with 2,863 rushing yards and needs 55 yards this week against the Colts to move past RB LeGarrette Blount (2,917) into 10th place on New England's all-time list.
Drake Maye
#10 QB- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 225 lbs
- College: North Carolina
- QB Drake Maye is averaging 8.7-yards per rush with 33 rushing attempts for 286 yards. The highest rushing average for an NFL quarterback in a single season is 8.5 by Michael Vick in 2006 when he had 123 rushing attempts for 1,039 rushing yards with Atlanta.
Christian Gonzalez
#0 CB- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 205 lbs
- College: Oregon
- CB Christian Gonzalez scored his first NFL touchdown when he returned a fumble 63 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter last week at Miami. If he scores on defense this week against Indianapolis, he will be the first Patriots player with a defensive touchdown in back-to-back games since the 1992 season when LB Vincent Brown returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown at Buffalo on Nov. 1, and then returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown vs. New Orleans on Nov. 8. No Patriots player has ever returned a fumble for a touchdown in back-to-back games.
- If Gonzalez returns a fumble for a touchdown this week against the Colts, he will be the first NFL player to accomplish the feat in back-to-back weeks since the 2019 season when Baltimore CB Marlon Humphrey returned a fumble for a touchdown at Seattle on Oct. 20, and vs. New England on Nov. 3.
- The last NFL player with a defensive touchdown in consecutive weeks was Las Vegas CB Jack Jones in 2023 with a 16-yard interception return for a touchdown vs. the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 14, followed by a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown at Kansas City on Dec. 25.
- If Gonzalez scores on defense this week, he will be the first Patriots player with at least 2 defensive touchdowns in a single season since S Kyle Dugger had 3 defensive touchdowns in 2022, the most for the team since the 1970 merger.
Deatrich Wise Jr.
#91 DE- Height: 6-5
- Weight: 280 lbs
- College: Arkansas
- DE Deatrich Wise Jr. has 5 sacks in 2024 and needs 2½ sacks to tie his career-high of 7½ sacks that he set during the 2022 season.
CONNECTIONS
Former Colts- QB Jacoby Brissett, 2017-20
- DT Eric Johnson II, 2022-23
- LB Titus Leo, 2023
- LB Yannick Ngakoue, 2022
- G Atonio Mafi, 2023
- LB Cameron McGrone, 2021-22
- WR Coach Reggie Wayne, 2015
