Patriots vs. Colts: Breaking Down New England's Game Plan

As a prize for dispatching Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, the New England Patriots get the unenviable task of trying to stop Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts (6-3) in Week 11. The Colts lead the league in points per game, passing yards and total yards.

The Patriots defense will be looking to prove that last year's dominance of the Colts offense was not just a fluke, while the offense will attempt to continue their epic roll.

Here is what the Patriots need to do in order to take a big step toward claiming a playoff berth.

Patriots Defense vs. Colts Offense

I wrote in detail how the Patriots can stop T.Y. Hilton, but there are three tight ends—Coby Fleener, Jack Doyle and Dwayne Allen—that need to be taken care of as well. Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia isn't overlooking the talented trio, per the team's official website:

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I think that's the most difficult thing, to identify where [the tight ends] are, where they're going to get lined up. They can be all over the place from in there tight to the formation to split out wide and opened up. Even in empty sets, they'll have all three out on the field. That is a huge challenge to try to find those guys, get matched up on them and to be able to defend them when they can do multiple things in both the run game and the passing game.

Allen does a great job blocking. He really gets in there and gets his hands inside. He keeps his feet driving and really does a great job either on the edge or when they move him back into the backfield and allow him to come downhill inside. Doyle, you'll see him both on the edge and inside. Again, does a great job with the blocking aspect of the run game and then also when they get him the ball, his catch-and-run ability is really good also.

Then Fleener, obviously has great speed, can really get vertical down the field and does a good job in the run game too, gets on his guy and does enough to create seams for the running backs who are very good.  

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The Patriots have shown that they can limit a rushing attack. They have shut down stud receivers. They have held tight ends in check. They'll have to do all three—plus keep an eye on a mobile Luck—to defeat the Colts.

Stephan Savoia/Associated Press

Patriots Offense vs. Colts Defense

Tom Brady is licking his chops. Even with the supremely talented Vontae Davis, the Colts have given up 881 yards and eight touchdowns through the air over their last two games. While Davis may be able to take away one of New England's threats, he can't cover them all.

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano knows how dangerous Rob Gronkowski can be, but he admits that he might not be able to stop him, via Patriots.com:

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Again, you have to make a decision, because there are other guys to tend to. You always go in saying you have to stop the run and you have other problems out there to take care of. [Gronkowski's\ one of them. The more weapons that you have, certainly we’re going to face a team that’s got a ton of them at the skill positions. I know that given free access and all those kind of things that he can do a ton of damage to your defense. We’ve got to do as good a job as we can of trying to find the right matchups and try to figure out a way to, you’re never going to stop a guy like that, but hopefully just slow him down enough to where, again, he doesn’t wreck the game on you.  

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Look for Brady to focus on picking apart the questionable linebacker group with play action, misdirection and a lot of different formations. Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman could have a field day if Davis locks up on Brandon LaFell or Gronkowski.

What They're Saying

Reggie Wayne has played in a few of these Colts vs. Patriots matchups before. He couldn't pass up the opportunity to talk about what this seemingly annual game means this time around, according to Patriots.com:

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I believe every game is a good measuring stick for us. We’re fairly young still. There are still some things we need to learn. But this will definitely be a great opportunity for us to go up against a top-notch team in the AFC. To a certain degree, it is a good measuring stick. But it’s a big game because it’s the next game. We all know the magnitude of these two franchises and what they do. But there are a lot of guys on this team that don’t know anything about the history. I believe it’s a great opportunity for us to go out there on national television again and just show the world, show the nation what we’re capable of doing. 

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Luck has beat Manning head-to-head before, but hasn't gotten the better of Brady. As Wayne alluded to, this is his chance to insert himself into the conversation of best quarterback in the AFC.

Tale of the Tape

Quarterback

The young kid makes some incredible plays, but the old man's aversion to making mistakes keeps him in the driver's seat for another year or two.

Verdict: Patriots

Running Backs 

Trent Richardson may be the name everyone knows, but Ahmad Bradshaw is the best running back in this game. Shane Vereen's versatility isn't enough to overcome Bradshaw's skill set.

Verdict: Colts

Wide Receivers

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Like Manning before him, Luck has an abundance of options here. While this is a tough decision, having Wayne as your No. 2 is a nice luxury.

Verdict: Colts

Tight Ends

If there is any player that is more feared in the league than Rob Gronkowski, I'd like to meet them. As talented as the Colts' trio is, their combined skill sets don't approach Gronkowski's.

Verdict: Patriots

Offensive Line

While both offensive lines have had their ups and downs, the Patriots seem to be trending in the right direction under the care of rookie center Bryan Stork.

Verdict: Patriots

Defensive Line 

Chandler Jones would have made this a win for New England, but it doesn't look like he will be a go. Cory Redding is the best defensive lineman in this game for Indianapolis and will be a terror for whichever New England offensive lineman he lines up against.

Verdict: Push

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Linebackers

Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins have played extraordinarily well under the tutelage of Jerod Mayo. D'Qwell Jackson and his group have been the weak link on the Colts team.

Verdict: Patriots

Defensive Backs

The Colts can match New England at the top, as Davis has been every bit as good as Darrelle Revis. The Patriots win with their outstanding depth here.

Verdict: Patriots

Special Teams

Stephen Gostkowski is awesome. Adam Vinatieri, however, is an alien. He was a Hall of Fame-caliber kicker when left New England and has only gotten better. Julian Edelman's big-play ability salvages a tie here.

Verdict: Push

Overall: Patriots 5-2-2

On paper, the Patriots have a solid advantage over the Colts. However, if the Colts receivers and running backs are able to get hot, it might spell trouble in the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium.

Wednesday's Injury Report Analysis (via Patriots.com)

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Did Not Practice: Chandler Jones, Dominique Easley

Limited: Nate Ebner, Cameron Fleming, Matthew Slater, Ryan Wendell

Full: Tom Brady

Jones' absence casts a big shadow, but the Patriots are slowly rounding into shape following the bye week. Brandon LaFell was back at practice after he was sick earlier in the week.

Gosder Cherilus (RT) and Erik Walden (LB) are the big names that missed practice for the Colts, per Colts.com.

Stats and figures courtesy of NFL.com.