Colts and Pats Renew Their Rivalry?

In Indianapolis, the game this weekend with the Patriots is the most important game for the Colts in 12 years – since the infamous “4th and two” game?

Heard that this week.  And it’s understandable, perhaps.  It was the last time the Colts beat the Patriots.

Outside of the decision to sit Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII, the failed 4th down attempt in a 35-34 loss back in 2009 is also a reminder of Bill Belichick’s mortal nature as much as it is anything else.

For Indy, it apparently stands out as a beacon of hope for the current Colts.

“Hey, we did it 12 years ago!  We can do it again!”

Have fun with that.  Hanging your hat on a brain cramp from a dozen years and 200+ games ago is a real reach for relevancy today.

The truth about this matchup is – the Colts and Patriots are both playing well.  Both rely on power rushing games, quarterbacks who can ‘manage’ the game, and defenses that might bend at times.

But these D’s make A+ plays when they’re needed.

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Check the numbers between the two sides in NFL rankings:

• Patriots on offense: Overall (18th), Rush (9th), Pass (18th), Scoring (10th).
• Colts on defense: Overall (14th), Rush (16th), Pass (12th), Scoring (T-9th).
• Patriots on defense: Overall (3rd), Rush (19th), Pass (3rd), Scoring (1st).
• Colts on offense: Overall (11th), Rush (2nd), Pass (21st), Scoring (4th).

Similar, no?  Seem to balance each other out a bit.  One team’s strength plays into the others’.

Games like these are won in the trenches.  And, by creating opportunities, which is the best reason to give Colts’ fans hope.

Indy is #1 in the NFL in turnover ratio – but the Patriots aren’t far behind at #3.  The biggest key to this one, for Indy or New England, may be for the Colts’ offensive line to keep New England’s Matt Judon away from QB Carson Wentz.

On the other hand, can the Colts’ defensive front force Mac Jones to throw the ball to win?  Might be careful what you wish for – Indy’s secondary has had difficulty defending in the red zone this season.

It hasn’t been much of a rivalry in recent years.  The Colts have lost eight straight to the Patriots, with six of those games played at Gillette Stadium.  That should sting a little in Indy, certainly.

There’s also the little matter of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ jilting the Colts at the coaching altar a few years ago that doesn’t sit well.

There’s plenty of intrigue, and a lot of good story angles for this one.

But revisiting or expecting another “4th and two?”  C’mon now.  It’s like expecting lightning to strike twice in the same spot.  And how does that usually work out?