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INDIANAPOLISCOLTS (6-3) at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-2)
DATE: Sunday, November 21, 2010
SITE: Gillette Stadium
KICKOFF: 4:15 p.m. (EST)
CAPACITY: 68,756
SURFACE:FieldTurf
Renewing one of the National Football League's most prominent rivalries, the Indianapolis Colts, 6-3, visit the New England Patriots, 7-2, on Sunday, November 21. Kickoff for the contest in Gillette Stadium, broadcast by CBS Sports and Westwood One, is 4:15 p.m. (EST).
The Colts and Patriots will be meeting for the eleventh time since the 2003 season. Eight of the past nine Indianapolis-New England games has been contested before a nationally-televised audience, with the Colts owning a 5-4 edge in those battles. Three of the games have been playoff affairs, with two of those battles deciding the AFC champion. The Patriots topped the Colts on January 18, 2004, 24-14 in Foxborough, to win the conference title. New England beat Indianapolis the next season in the Divisional Playoffs, 20-3 on January 16, 2005 in Gillette Stadium. Indianapolis took consecutive November contests in Foxborough, 40-21 on November 7, 2005 and 27-20 on November 5, 2006. Both wins extended the Colts' record to 8-0. Indianapolis prevailed over New England, 38-34, in the AFC Championship Game on January 21, 2007, earning a berth in Super Bowl XLI. New England ended the Colts' series winning streak with a 24-20 verdict in the RCA Dome on November 4, 2007, in a meeting of the best undefeated records in NFL history (8-0, New England; 7-0, Colts). Indianapolis produced an 18-15 home win on November 2, 2008, and the Colts earned a 35-34 comeback victory last November 15 in Lucas Oil Stadium. That contest was the 18th consecutive regular-season victory for Indianapolis, and the club (23) would go on to eclipse New England's league mark of 21 consecutive regular-season wins established from 2006-08. The first of these nationally-televised outings was a 27-24 Patriots home win in the 2004 opener. The teams are meeting for the sixth consecutive season in November. The Colts reach Sunday's fray after a 23-17 home victory last Sunday over Cincinnati. New England earned a 39-26 victory last Sunday at Pittsburgh.
The Colts and Patriots stand as the winningest organizations since the start of the 1999 season. Indianapolis owns a 134-51 regular-season record during that span, while New England boasts a mark of 127-58. The Colts have an NFL-best 10 playoff appearances since 1999, while the Patriots' seven appearances are the third-most. The Colts and Patriots each won five consecutive division titles (2003-07), before finishing second in their respective divisions in 2008. Indianapolis and New England are two of nine organizations to win five or more consecutive divisional flags since the NFL Merger in 1970 (7, LA Rams, NFC West, 1973-79; 6, Minnesota, NFC Central, 1973-78; 6, Pittsburgh, AFC Central, 1974-79; 5, Oakland, AFC West, 1972-76; 5, Chicago, NFC Central, 1984-88; 5, San Francisco, NFC West, 1986-90; 5, Dallas, NFC East, 1992-96; 5, Indianapolis, AFC South, 2003-07; 5, New England, AFC East, 2003-07). Both clubs added division titles last year, and six by the clubs lead all other teams since the 2002 Realignment. Indianapolis had 115 victories from 2000-09, while New England had 113 to rank among the most victories in a decade by an NFL team (115, Colts, 2000s, 1 SB title; 113, San Francisco, 1990s, 1 SB title; 113, New England, 2000s, 3 SB titles; 105, Dallas, 1970s, 2 SB titles; 104, Miami, 1970s, 2 SB titles; 104, San Francisco, 1980s, 4 SB titles; 103, Philadelphia, 2000s, 0 SB titles; 102, Buffalo, 1990s, 0 SB titles; 102, Kansas City, 1990s, 0 SB titles; 102, Pittsburgh, 2000s, 2 SB titles; 100, Dallas, 1990s, 3 SB titles; 100, Oakland, 1970s, 1 SB title).
The Colts are owners of the NFL's best regular-season record (134-51) since the start of the 1999 season, while being the only team to earn 10 playoff appearances in the last eleven seasons, including a league-best eight consecutive post-season berths. Indianapolis has won 79 of its last 98 regular-season games. The Colts own a 104-32 record (counting the playoffs) since the start of the 2003 season and are 90-27 since 2004. From November, 2003 to December, 2009, the Colts produced a regular-season record of 81-19, tying New England (2003-09) for the NFL's best 100-game regular-season mark. Indianapolis' winning ways include a 39-12 record in AFC South play, while the club has owned or shared the lead in 118 of 146 weeks of the division's existence. The Colts won five AFC South championships from 2003-07, the best divisional-title streak in club history. The Colts were wire-to-wire divisional leaders during the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 seasons. The club's nine playoff berths in the 2000-09 decade tied the NFL record set by Dallas (9) in the 1970s. Indianapolis is the only team since 2002 Realignment to earn annual double-digit victory totals and playoff berths. From 2008-09, the Colts set an NFL record with 23 consecutive regular-season victories (21, New England, 2006-08). The streak was the sixth 10 -game regular-season winning streak in franchise history (23, 2008-09; 13, 2005; 11, 1964; 11, 1975-76; 11, 1999; 10, 2005-06), the fourth since 1999. Indianapolis extended its NFL record as the only franchise to win seven or more consecutive regular-season games in six consecutive seasons (8, 2004; 13, 2005; 9, 2006; 7 and 6, 2007; 9, 2008; 14, 2009). Additionally, the Colts posted their eighth consecutive 10 -victory season, setting the 2nd-longest such streak in NFL history (16, San Francisco, 1983-98). Indianapolis earned its seventh consecutive season with 11 victories, surpassing the NFL record it had shared with Dallas (6, 1976-81). The Colts extended their league mark to seven consecutive seasons (2003-09)with 12 victories. The Colts produced 115 victories for the 2000-09 decade, surpassing the league record of 113 by San Francisco from 1990-99.
PERSONNEL REPORT: DB-Bob Sanders (biceps), WR-Austin Collie (concussion) were out; RB-Joseph Addai (neck) was doubtful; LB-Pat Angerer (illness), LB-Gary Brackett (toe), TE-Brody Eldridge (rib), RB-Mike Hart (ankle), DT-Antonio Johnson (knee), OT-Charlie Johnson (back), DB-Jerraud Powers (foot), LB-Clint Session (elbow), TE-Jacob Tamme (back), DB-Justin Tryon (foot), WR-Blair White (shoulder) were questionable for the last game. Deactivated players for the last game were White, Tryon, Addai, Hart, Session, Brackett, Collie and Sanders.
TELEVISION/RADIO: CBS Sports telecasts with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms. 1070-The Fan/HANK-FM, 97.1 broadcasts with Bob Lamey, Will Wolfordand Kevin Lee (field reporter). Westwood One broadcasts nationally with Howard David and Tony Boselli (field reporter).
NEXT WEEK: Indianapolis hosts San Diego on Sunday, November 28 at 8:20 p.m. (EST)/5:20 p.m. (PST).
WWW.COLTS.COM: Please check the official website of the Indianapolis Colts for the latest in team information and merchandise.
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HEAD COACHES
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* JIM CALDWELL* was named head coach of the Colts on January 13, 2009, and this marks his ninth season with Indianapolis. Caldwell joined the club in 2002 as quarterbacks coach before adding the title of assistant head coach prior to the 2005 season. Caldwell was promoted to associate head coach with the club prior to the 2008 season. From 2002-09, Caldwell has been a part of Colts teams that produced 10-6, 12-4, 12-4, 14-2, 12-4, 13-3, 12-4 and 14-2 records. Indianapolis is the only team to earn 12 victories in seven consecutive seasons, setting the NFL's all-time standard. Indianapolis has had eight consecutive 10 -victory seasons, setting the second-longest streak in NFL history (16, San Francisco, 1983-98; 7, Dallas, 1975-81), and the Colts have surpassed Dallas (1976-81) as the only franchise to earn at least eleven victories in seven consecutive seasons. The Colts also have earned an NFL-best eight consecutive playoff appearances, and Indianapolis is the only team to post double-digit victory seasons and playoff berths each season since the 2002 realignment. From 2008-09, Indianapolis set the NFL record with 23 consecutive regular-season victories (21 New England, 2006-08). Indianapolis also won 115 regular-season games from 2000-09, the most by a team in a decade in NFL history. From 2004-09, Indianapolis became the only NFL team to win at least seven consecutive games in six consecutive seasons (8, 2004; 13, 2005; 9, 2006; 7 and 6, 2007; 9, 2008; 14, 2009). In 2009, Caldwell became the 5th NFL rookie head coach to reach the Super Bowl. Caldwell joined Chuck Knox (L.A. Rams, 1973), Red Miller (Denver, 1977), Mike Martz (St. Louis, 2000) and Josh McDaniels (Denver, 2009) as the only rookie head coaches in the Super Bowl era to start 6-0. He became the fourth coach ever to start 6-0 when succeeding a head coach who won 100 games (Blanton Collier, Cleveland, 1963, succeeded Paul Brown, 111 wins; Jack Pardee, Washington, 1978, succeeded George Allen, 116 wins; Josh McDaniels, Denver, 2009, succeeded Mike Shanahan, 146 wins; Caldwell, Colts, 2009, succeeded Tony Dungy, 139 wins). Caldwell joined the Colts after serving as quarterbacks coach with Tampa Bay in 2001. Caldwell has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience. He spent 1993-2000 as head coach at Wake Forest. He served as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois (1978-80), Northwestern (1981), Colorado (1982-84), Louisville (1985) and Penn State (1986-92). Caldwell has coached in six bowl games and won a national championship with Penn State in 1986. In addition to serving on Joe Paterno's title staff, Caldwell tutored under three other coaches who won collegiate crowns (Rey Dempsey, Southern Illinois; Bill McCartney, Colorado; Howard Schnellenberger, Louisville). Caldwell was a four-year starter at defensive back at Iowa and worked as a graduate assistant for Iowa in 1977. He holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa. Caldwell was born on January 16, 1955 in Beloit, Wis.
BILL BELICHICK was named the 14th head coach in Patriots history on January 27, 2000. Belichick previously served as assistant head coach/secondary for the New York Jets from 1997-99. Belichick has directed the Patriots to regular-season records of 5-11, 11-5, 9-7, 14-2, 14-2, 10-6, 12-4, 16-0, 11-5 and 10-6. He has guided New England to three Super Bowl titles, 20-17 over St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI, 32-29 over Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII and 24-21 over Philadelphia in Super Bowl XXXIX. Belichick began his coaching career with the Baltimore Colts as a special assistant in 1975. He served stints with Detroit (1976-77), Denver (1978) and the New York Giants (1979-90). He spent 1985-90 as Giants defensive coordinator. Their success as a defensive unit contributed to two Super Bowl titles. Following Super Bowl XXV, Belichick was named head coach of the Cleveland Browns. He spent 1991-95 at the Browns helm before spending the 1996 season as Patriots assistant head coach/secondary. He played football at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.
COLTS/PATRIOTS SERIES NOTES
New England owns a 42-28 regular season series advantage over the Colts, and the Patriots have taken two of three playoff games between the clubs. These teams met last November 15 in Indianapolis. Overcoming a 24-point first-half New England assault and two 17-point deficits, including one in the final quarter, Indianapolis rallied for a 35-34 victory over the Patriots. QB-Peyton Manning was 28-44-327, 4 TDs/2 ints., directing the Colts to 21 fourth-quarter points, including two TD drives in the final four minutes. Manning teamed with WR-Reggie Wayne (10-126, 2 TDs; 20t, 1t) on two scoring tosses, the final one coming with :13 left to provide the winning tally. Manning hit RB-Joseph Addai on at 15t toss to open the game and WR-Pierre Garcon on a 29t pass early in the fourth quarter to start the comeback. New England had leads of 24-7, 31-14 and 34-21 before the Colts rallied. QB-Tom Brady was 29-42-375, 3 TDs/1 int. WR-Randy Moss was 9-179, 2 TDs (63t; 5t). The outcome was the 18th of an eventual NFL-record 23 consecutive regular-season victories, and it placed Indianapolis alongside New England as the only franchises to earn 18 consecutive regular-season victories (21, New England, 2006-08; 18, New England, 2003-04). Jim Caldwell became the first NFL rookie head coach to win his first nine games, surpassing the 8-0 mark he shared with Potsy Clark (Portsmouth, 1931). He also became the only coach ever to start 9-0 when succeeding a head coach who won 100 games (139, Tony Dungy). The Colts became the first team to produce three 9-0 starts in a five-year span. These teams met November 2, 2008 in Lucas Oil Stadium, with Indianapolis posting an 18-15 victory. K-Adam Vinatieri booted a 52-yard field goal midway through the final quarter to help Indianapolis earn the victory. Manning (21-29-254, 2 TDs) teamed with WR-Anthony Gonzalez (4-55, 2 TDs; 12t; 9t) on two scoring passes, while the Indianapolis defense produced takeaways on New England's final two possessions to secure the win. The Colts held leads of 7-0 and 15-12 before Vinatieri's winning kick. New England used three field goals by K-Stephen Gostkowski and a 6t rush by RB-BenJarvus Green-Ellis to tie the contest early in the final period. Tony Dungy coached in his 200th career regular-season game and posted his 131st victory, the third-highest 200-game regular-season total by any head coach in NFL history (147, Don Shula; 135, George Halas). The teams met on November 4, 2007 in the RCA Dome, with New England earning a 24-20 victory. The contest matched the best unbeaten records in NFL history, (8-0, New England; 7-0, Colts). The Patriots scored two touchdowns in the final 7:59 to top the Colts. Brady (21-32-255, 3 TDs/2 ints.) hit scoring tosses to WR-Wes Welker (3t) and RB-Kevin Faulk (13t) to erase a 20-10 Colts lead. Brady also teamed with Moss (9-145, 1 TD; 4t) to open the scoring, but Indianapolis seized the lead just prior to the half and led most of the way. Manning was 16-27-225, 1 TD/int., while Addai (26-112 rushing/5-114, 1 TD receiving) became the first Colts player ever to tally 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game. Manning and Addai teamed on a 73t scoring play just prior to the half. The outcome snapped a franchise-record 12-game home winning streak and a three-game overall Colts series winning streak. The Colts defeated the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on January 21, 2007. In that contest, erasing an 18-point deficit with a 32-point second-half flurry, the Colts captured the AFC crown with a 38-34 victory. Manning (27-47-349, 1 TD/int.) scored on a 1t rush, tossed a 1t pass and guided the club to 17 fourth-quarter points to earn the club its first Super Bowl berth since the 1970 season. Indianapolis tallied 455 net yards, with second-half scoring drives of 76, 76, 67, 59 and 80 yards. The final drive concluded with a 3t rush by Addai with 1:00 remaining as the club produced the largest championship game comeback in NFL history. Vinatieri booted field goals of 42, 26 and 36 yards, while C-Jeff Saturday (fumble recovery) and DT-Dan Klecko (1t reception) scored touchdowns. New England bolted to a 21-3 lead behind Brady (21-34-232, 1 TD/int.) and a 39t interception return by DB-Asante Samuel. Indianapolis knotted the contest at 21-21, 28-28 and 31-31 before the final game-winning drive. The playoff win came after two such setbacks to the Patriots, a 24-14 decision on January 18, 2004 in the AFC Championship Game and a 20-3 decision on January 16, 2005 in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. The Colts have won the last two regular-season meetings at Gillette Stadium, 27-20 on November 5, 2006 and 40-21 on November 7, 2005. New England's last home regular-season series win came on September 9, 2004, 27-24. This marks the second time in the past nine meetings this rivalry has not been televised nationally, and Sunday's game marks the 10th straight meeting the clubs meet with both owning winning records.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
2010 RANKINGS (denotes ranking is tied)
RANKINGS OFFENSE RANKING DEFENSE RANKING
Total Rush Pass CONF. NFL Total Rush Pass CONF. NFL
Colts 379.3 90.4 288.9 2-15- 3 4-27- 3 344.2 133.2 211.0 8-14- 5 18-29-10
Patriots 338.7 106.7 232.0 11-12- 7 18-17-15 390.8 113.0 277.8 15- 9-15 29-18-30
BEST NFL RECORDS DURING 1999-2010 REGULAR SEASONS
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NFL'S BEST REGULAR SEASON RECORDS 1999-2010 * * Record Team Head Coach |
134-51* COLTS * Tony Dungy/Jim Caldwell
127-58 New England Pete Carroll/Bill Belichick
115-69-1 Pittsburgh Bill Cowher/Mike Tomlin
114-70-1 Philadelphia Andy Reid
109-76 Tennessee Jeff Fisher
109-76 Green Bay R. Rhodes/M. Sherman/M. McCarthy
106-79 Baltimore Brian Billick/John Harbaugh
102-83 Denver Mike Shanahan/Josh McDaniels
101-84 NY Giants Jim Fassel/Tom Coughlin
97-88 Minnesota Dennis Green/Mike Tice/Brad Childress
97-88 San Diego M. Riley/M. Schottenheimer/N. Turner
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COLTS ARE NFL'S WINNINGEST TEAM FROM 1999-2010: The Colts stand as the NFL's winningest team since the start of the 1999 season. The Colts own a 134-51 record during that span.
