7 p.m. Monday, Colts by 3
Last meeting
Patriots won 20-3 in 2004 playoff game at New England.
Who knew
Colts love the great indoors, but Tom Brady prefers the cold. He’s 30-6 in his career after Nov. 1. And that doesn’t include the playoffs, where he has never lost.
Spotlight on: Edgerrin James
For a guy who can’t get a long-term contract, James isn’t a bad player. Talk about a picture of consistency. James has 45 100-yard days in 88 games, tying him with Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett for 10th on the all-time list. And it isn’t like James is slowing down. The Colts have had a bye week, but he still leads the league in rushing with 801 yards on 163 carries. Not only that, he always shows up for big games. He has had five 100-yard days in eight career games vs. the Patriots. Now, about that long-term deal. … Colts’ front office, leery of giving big-time guaranteed money to an RB, has refused to budge, instead slapping the franchise tag on James.
Etc.
Tale of two teams’ turnovers: Colts plus-8, Patriots minus-6. … Just wondering: Will first words under Peyton Manning’s Hall of Fame bust read, “He couldn’t beat the Patriots, but …” … Tom Brady is 6-0 vs. Colts, with two of those Ws coming in the playoffs. … This one has shootout written all over it: Colts have scored 30-plus in five of past seven “Monday Night Football” appearances, and the Pats’ D stinks. They have two INTs this season, only one by the secondary. … In 14 career games vs. N.E., Marvin Harrison has 85 catches for 1,185 yards, 10 TDs. … Pats need to rev up running game. Corey Dillon through six starts: 114 carries, 401 yards, 3.5 per. Pats are 9-1 since start of last season when Dillon runs for 100-plus. … Tony Dungy 2-4 vs. Pats, Bill Belichick 9-3 vs. Colts. Dungy, however, gets several bonus points for having a better personality. … N.E. LB Tedy Bruschi had 10 tackles vs. Buffalo in first game since offseason stroke.
Prediction: Colts 37, Patriots 26
