6:15 p.m., Patriots by 3
Last meeting
Colts won 40-21 at New England on Nov. 7, 2005
Spotlight on: Colts RB Joseph Addai
If you were wondering why the Colts let Edgerrin James go, don’t. While James is averaging 2.8 yards a carry in Arizona, Addai has gradually worked his way into the role of go-to guy in the Indy backfield. He opened the season behind Dominic Rhodes, but has emerged as the starter. He leads NFL rookies with 447 yards rushing, including 93 last week vs. the stingy Broncos D.
Who knew?
Tom Brady still has the stats, but seven games into things he’s still looking for a go-to guy. The Pats’ leading receiver is TE Ben Watson, who ranks 40th in the league with 28 catches. The Pats’ leading receivers at wideout are Reche Caldwell (22), Doug Gabriel (20) and Troy Brown (19). Now for the fine print: Most of the Pats’ big plays in the passing game have been turned in by the team’s wideouts, who’ve hauled in 10 of Brady’s 14 touchdown throws.
Etc.
We know this will come as a shock to Broncos fans, but Peyton Manning ranks second in the league with 1,965 yards passing, 15 touchdown passes. … Game features matchup of league’s two best rookie RBs – Colts’ Addai and Pats’ Laurence Maroney, who has surpassed Corey Dillon for the team lead with 395 yards rushing. … Pats’ Watson has 12 catches in past two games. … Pats have won six of past seven in series. … Go figure. Brady, your basic Hall of Famer-in-waiting, has completed 28-of-59 passes on third down. Manning, meanwhile, is 50-for-73. … Look for some offense in this one. Colts second in the league at 6.3 yards on first down, and Pats are fourth at 5.8. … Indy converting an astonishing 58.1 percent (50-for-86) on third down, many coming after Manning changed the play. … Indy WR Reggie Wayne lit up Broncos for three TDs last week. Nothing unusual there. Wayne has at least one TD catch of 25-plus yards in six of past seven road games.
Prediction: Colts 33, Patriots 24
– Jim Armstrong
