New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts: Week 6 Prediction

Nov 16, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) drops back to pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Blood is in the water and that makes for a lot of nasty grudge-holding when the New England Patriots visit the Indianapolis Colts. Which team will prove the survivor?

Injuries

Nate Solder loss opens big hole up front

Adjusting is something the Patriots can always do but it’s not easy as all that. Replacing a capable left tackle like Nate Solder will be close to impossible as he goes on IR with a torn bicep. It doesn’t cripple this team, but it does put their leader further in harms way, and that’s never a good thing.

Andrew Luck questionable due to shoulder

Most expect him to play but for the moment Indianapolis is promising nothing with Andrew Luck. He’s able to throw with his bad shoulder but they won’t know whether he can go full speed until game-time on Sunday night. Smart money says he’s anxious to get back out there and will.

Key Matchups

Jerrell Freeman vs. Rob Gronkowski

The game plan of any defense moving forward against the Patriots is absurdely simple: find a way to stop Rob Gronkowski and you have a chance. He is the pillar that holds this dynamic attack together, with respect to Tom Brady. Jerrell Freeman is the Colts’ best coverage linebacker, so he will draw much of the duty of trying to cover the All-Pro.

T.Y. Hilton vs. Malcolm Butler

Having Darrelle Revis last year made it easy for the Patriots to contain Colts deep threat T.Y. Hilton. Now that job has fallen to Malcolm Butler. So far the Super Bowl hero has been quite dependable for New England, but indoors on that fast field it will be a big challenge to keep Hilton from busting out.

Fantasy

Sit: Frank Gore

Don’t be fooled by his recent resurgence. Frank Gore is still a capable back but few teams are better at scheming to stop the run than the Patriots, and they have the linebackers to do it. Besides, if Luck is able to go it’s unlikely the Colts will stick to the ground as much anyway.

Start: LeGarrette Blount

He isn’t always the most dependable back in terms of consistency, but there is one thing the Patriots know about LeGarrette Blount: he kills the Colts. In the past two playoff meetings against Indy, he has run for 166 and 148 yards respectively including seven total touchdowns. Fantasy owners should be drooling over that.

Prediction: Patriots win 42-21

The Colts have been squeezing out wins against less-than-impressive opponents of late. Now they draw arguably the best team in football, playing on fire and with all the reason in the world to have a grudge on top of it for Deflategate. Yeah, this one might get ugly.

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