The Tantalizing Ten: Patriots Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts (3-2) welcome primetime and the New England Patriots (4-0) to Lucas Oil Stadium?
The signs are pointing to Luck seeing his first game action on Sunday since that Week Three comeback against the Titans. Everyone knows the struggles Luck and the Colts have had in previous Patriots matchups. Will having an observatory role the past few weeks influence how Luck operates on Sunday night, if he is indeed cleared to play?
In last year's meetings, the Patriots didn't need to rely on Gronk too much in the receiving game. One possible concern this week for New England is will Gronk have to be used more as a blocker with left tackle Nate Solder lost for the season? When Gronk does get his hands on the football the Colts have to be sound in their tackling of a tight end who has the rare ability to pile up yards after catch.
The Colts new-look defensive line has piled up 25 negative running plays in 2015 (no team in the NFL has more than 19). In the past three meetings with the Patriots, the Colts have given up 657 yards on the ground. The turnover has been immense in the defensive trenches for Indianapolis and now that group will be tested against an attack that's given them fits the past two seasons.
Hilton knows what is coming on Sunday night. Heavy attention in trying to hold "The Ghost" to the quiet outings he's recently had against New England. The Patriots personnel at the cornerback position is no longer the same though. Will that allow Hilton to make the plays that have turned him into a Pro Bowler? He expects that will be the case on Sunday night.
Ask Chuck Pagano about Brady and the Colts head coach throws out the "MVP" label and believes the future Hall of Famer is looking as good as ever. The numbers back that up. Brady leads the league in quarterback rating and has put up a flawless ratio of 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Can the Colts create some disruption in timing with their pass rush and coverage?
In Geathers, the safety hybrid who plays in the Colts dime packages, you have a guy that was thought to be a tight end matchup defensively. However, Gronk isn't your typical tight end. We've seen the rookie Geathers primarily used in a blitzing role in 2015, while making plays in space. A specific player following Gronk around probably isn't likely, but whoever is across the 6-7 tight end must get their hands on the All-Pro.
Gore is coming off a 98-yard performance last Thursday. That's the highest total a Colts player has reached since Week 15 of the 2012 season. You have to think the Colts want to get Gore going again on Sunday night. Controlling possession, thus keeping Tom Brady on the sideline, has to be a focus and the Colts have the type of back who can accomplish just that (plus Ahmad Bradshaw is now in the fold).
For this week, Moncrief represents the pass catchers not named T.Y. Hilton. We've seen the struggles the Colts had when Hilton was taken away last season. If the Patriots continue to try and give Hilton over the top help with a safety, that means one-on-one matchups will be there on Sunday night. Moncrief said earlier this week the Colts have to win those battles and find production via yards after catch.
The Colts are now healthy at the cornerback position with the trio of Vonate Davis, Toler and Darius Butler in tact. I don't think we will see any shadow roles from those guys this weekend. They still will have their hands full in the unique pass catchers, led by Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman.
This offseason, New England lost their top three cornerbacks (Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner and Kyle Arrington. So the Super Bowl hero in Butler now appears to be the team's top cornerback. Do the Patriots feel they have the right cornerback personnel to carry out a similar game plan that has limited the Colts potent last season?
