Colts vs. Patriots: TV Coverage, Live Stream Schedule and Final Predictions

A once-heated feud between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts has turned one-sided thanks to a new protagonist.

Not that Andrew Luck is solely responsible, but the Colts have been outscored by 78 points in his three games under center against New England. NFL on ESPN relayed the damage:

That includes last year's AFC Divisional Round clash, where Luck fired four interceptions and LeGarrette Blount punched home four rushing touchdowns. If the Patriots still have the Colts' number during the AFC Championship Game, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will make their sixth Super Bowl. 

If not, Luck's legend will soar.

It's not exactly "Brady vs. That Other Guy Who Used to Play Quarterback in Indianapolis," but it'll serve just fine for prime Sunday-night entertainment. Do the Patriots have another title run in them, or can the Colts realize Andy Dwyer's dream of crushing the AFC East champs and making Brady cry?

No. 4 Indianapolis Colts at No. 1 New England Patriots

When: Sunday, Jan. 18 at 6:40 p.m. ET

Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA

TV: CBS

Live Stream: CBSSports.com

Preview

Despite last week's results, the Patriots are going to run the football a bunch. 

Over the past two meetings, New England has gutted Indianapolis for a combined 4,810 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Brady handed the ball off 85 times and fired 55 passes during the pair of blowouts.

Date	Carries*	Rush YDs	YPC	TDs
1/11/14	46	234	5.1	6
11/16/14	44	246	5.6	4

Belichick took the other extreme to upend the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday, calling seven handoffs compared to 51 throws. ESPN Stats & Info showed the rarity of successfully implementing such an extreme split, since teams that pass all day do it because of a large deficit:

When the Colts and Pats last played, practice-squad newcomer Jonas Gray received 37 carries on the heels of Stevan Ridley's season-ending ACL tear. He then vanished in Belichick's running back Bermuda Triangle, so Blount will likely get the bulk of the carries on Sunday. Since rejoining the Pats two months ago, he's averaging 4.5 yards per rush.

The Colts ranked No. 19 in DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) against the run during the season, and C.J. Anderson proved the lone bright spot during the Denver Broncos' swift playoff exit. Unlike Denver, New England will adapt and exploit the matchup.

When Brady does steps back, he'll turn Rob Gronkowski's way. It's hardly a bold statement that the NFL's premier tight end will affect the game's outcome, but there it is.

Even when Gray ran more than Brady threw, Gronkowski still converted five targets into 71 yards and a score. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the incomparable pairing of Brady and Gronk becomes even more unstoppable against the Colts:

It's easy to see why this year's defense would falter against the unguardable monster. During the season, Indianapolis placed No. 27 in Football Outsiders' defensive DVOA to opposing tight ends, allowing 58.2 yards per game.

Vontae Davis is every bit the elite cornerback as Darrelle Revis, but the 5'11" star can't corral the 6'6", 265-pound behemoth. A matchup nightmare for anyone, Gronkowski could swing this game into another rout with a huge outing.

Since Indy is no longer facing the Cincinnati Bengals without A.J. Green or the Broncos with a limited Peyton Manning, it can't afford any turnovers. The squad overcame two Daniel Herron fumbles in the opening round, and Luck has already forfeited 10 interceptions through five career playoff tilts.

The Colts quarterback played well against New England during November's meeting, but his 303 yards, two scores and a pick only led to 20 points. It's not easy when the running backs compile four rushing yards on 13 carries.

Ahmad Bradshaw is injured, and Trent Richardson didn't travel to Foxborough, but Herron is coming off an ineffective 63 yards on 23 carries. A heavy dose of Luck will once again prove necessary.

The leader of the NFL's top passing offense gives his squad a fighting chance. Along with his passing prowess, he can also ignite his offense outside the pocket. Per the Associated Press' Jimmy Golden, Belichick said Luck's playmaking abilities make him "like a sixth receiver you have to cover":

"

If (Luck) extends the play, then he has the ability to create big plays. We've seen him do that multiple times throughout his career already. It's another guy you have to defend in the running game, the passing game in terms of his ability to scramble and make first-down yardage on possession-type downs. And he makes good decisions, so all those things are a problem.

"

He'll earn a spot in the Super Bowl one day, but he doesn't have the supporting cast to take him there in two weeks. Instead, the more complete Patriots will move one step closer to snapping a decade-long title drought. 

Prediction: Patriots 27, Colts 20