After suffering back to back heartbreakers, the Colts head on the highway to h-… you get the picture. The boys in blue face off against “he who must not be named” and that team up north in a Thursday night showdown. Here we look at some the important numbers heading into the Colts first primetime matchup of the year.

Raiders Rival Josh McDaniels
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 14: Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots looks on prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on January 14, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

1. 17

Sep 16, 2018; Landover, MD, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (53) celebrates with fans while leaving the field after the Colts' game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2018; Landover, MD, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (53) celebrates with fans while leaving the field after the Colts’ game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Last week I mentioned the Colts surprisingly adept pass rush numbers, and those numbers are starting to become a trend. Indy ranks second in the NFL in sacks with 17 (Bears 18) while ranking third to last in blitz percentage. The four-man pressure is extra important this week when facing off the other number 12 quarterback, who historically have suffered when facing tough four-man pressure. If the Colts win this week, look for a high rate of sacks on low rates of blitzing.

2. 16

Colts injury report (@Colts)

The Colts are routinely banged up, and this week is no different. The injury report on a short week is 16 players long, with several starters on the list. This does not bode well for a Colts team that is 10.5 point underdogs on the road. No one will make excuses, but this is a tough odds for any team to overcome. Not to mention that this is another reason why the NFL is ridiculous for still mandating Thursday night games after a short week.

3. 9

Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (left) greets New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (right) after the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (left) greets New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (right) after the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

How many straight games the Colts have lost to New England in years past, with many forgetful efforts and infamous plays along the way. The Colts look to end that streak on the road tonight in what should be a signature win for the new brain trust in Indy. Historically, Luck and company have struggled when facing their AFC nemesis, and many expect the same to happen this time around.

This team may wear the same uniform, but this isn’t the old Colts. This team isn’t soft, or crumbles, the wear down opponents and fight to the end. They have faced some heavyweight champs and took them all fifteen rounds. This Colts team is very different from years past, maybe its finally time to flip the script and pull off the upset all of the Inday faithful has waited for the past nine years.

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