A blockbuster showdown will be heading our way in Week 15 as the Indianapolis Colts take on the New England Patriots in a marquee AFC clash. Who will prevail in this Patriots vs Colts game? Here's a breakdown of this Saturday Night Football matchup.
New England Patriots installed as -1 favorites
The New England Patriots will head to their showdown against the Indianapolis Colts with momentum on their side after beating the Buffalo Bills, 14-10, in Week 13. The Pats overcame the nasty conditions at Highmark Stadium to improve their record to 9-4 and gain some separation with the Bills atop the AFC East standings.
The Patriots relied on their ground game to keep their seven-game winning streak intact. They ran the football 46 times against the Bills, with quarterback Mac Jones making just three pass attempts the entire evening. New England outgained Buffalo by 123 yards on the ground, with the Patriots racking up 222 yards rushing.
In this game, Damien Harris led New England, rushing for 111 yards on 10 carries, including a 64-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter. Rhamondre Stevenson also wreaked havoc against the Bills' defensive line, running for 78 yards on 24 carries.
The Pats will fancy their chances of stretching their unbeaten run against the Colts as they have fared exceptionally well on the road this season. They have won all six of their away games this season.
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Indianapolis Colts enter Week 15 as +1 underdogs
The Indianapolis Colts headed into their bye week feeling good about themselves after defeating the Houston Texans on the road in Week 13. The Colts pulled off a 31-0 victory over the Texans to improve their record to 7-6. It was a significant win for the Colts, who climbed up to sixth place in the AFC standings following Buffalo and Cincinnati's defeats in Week 14.
Jonathan Taylor starred for the Colts in the Week 13 win, running for 143 yards and a couple of touchdowns in the rout. He now has 16 rushing touchdowns in 2021, tying the franchise record set by Lenny Moore in the 1964 season. Taylor has now scored a rushing touchdown in the Colts' last 10 games, the NFL's longest streak since LaDainian Tomlinson ran for a score in 18 straight games back in the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
For the Colts to beat the red-hot Patriots, they will need to continue their excellent play on the defensive end. The Colts forced two turnovers in their shutout win over the Texans, the first time Indianapolis had held an opponent scoreless since December 16, 2018, when they defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 23-0.
The Colts lead the league with 29 takeaways this campaign. They have forced at least one turnover in each of their last 14 games, a streak that dates back to last season.
Writer's Prediction
Indianapolis hands New England its first road loss of the season.
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