When the Patriots beat the Colts back in November, it was the Jonas Gray game, when the previously unknown running back went for 201 yards and four touchdowns. Gray, of course, missed a practice the following week and only ran for 80 yards the last six weeks of the season.
It was pretty thorough domination by the Patriots in Week 11, but apparently Andrew Luck wins every time when playing a team twice in one season.
Andrew Luck is 12-0 when facing a team again in the same season. Won all 9 divisional games the 2nd time and playoff games vs. KC, CIN, DEN.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) January 18, 2015
I’m sure Bill Belichick’s record against teams he’s faced more than once in a season is pretty good overall, though the last two New England playoff defeats came against teams they had already played in the regular season.
In that November game, Trent Richardson had a robust six carries for zero yards. In fact, Andrew Luck was the Colts leading rusher that day with 15 yards on three rushes. So it wasn’t a great game for anyone carrying the ball for Indy. Clearly, New England controlled the trenches that day. That center Bryan Stork has been ruled out should at least help the defense.
Boom Herron has brought a little more life to the Colts ground game, even if he also brings the constant danger of fumbling. Trent Richardson, meanwhile, is inactive for the second straight week because he’s dealing with a family situation. So unless the Colts advance, the one snap Richardson saw against the Bengals will be the extent of his contribution to Indy’s playoff run. Sounds about right.