Colts vs Patriots: After Further Review

I am a very superstitious person, for example I will wear the same Colts shirt every Sunday until they lose. So I have been wearing the same shirt for three straight game-days. You’re probably wondering what I’m getting at, well I am extra superstitious when it comes to “Rivalry Week” as I refer to it. Hence why I have refrained from writing any pieces or tweeting anything about the Colts-Patriots game. I believe way too highly in karma, and I didn’t want to ruin a chance to beat the Patriots by tweeting or writing something.

Well it seems my superstitious approach to this week was all for not as the Colts fell to New England 34-27 on Sunday night. The Patriots seemed to have control over the whole game, at least on the offensive side of the ball. Although the Colts only lost by seven points, they seemed a little, off on both ends of the field. As usual, let’s dive into what we can take away.

Takeaway number 1: The Colts were a little too ballsy

In a game as highly anticipated as this, it’s okay to take a few risks, and we’ve seen that throughout this rivalries history. However, I think the Colts were a little too risky in terms of some of their play calls. There was the obvious punt shift call that turned into a complete disaster. There was also an onside kick in the second quarter that failed, even though it seemed that Donte Moncrief recovered it. Regardless, that play failed.

The only risk that seemed to work in the Colts favor was the 4th down call in the red zone on the Colts first drive. This resulted in a touchdown from Moncrief and gave the Colts some early momentum behind the raucous crowd.

It just seemed to me that the Colts were trying to beat the Patriots by catching them off guard with these risky plays. If anything, the Colts should have known that the Patriots were prepared for anything, especially in a game of this magnitude.

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Takeaway number 2: Andrew Luck looked a little rusty

After missing two games due to injury, it was a much anticipated return for Luck, being that it was the Patriots game. Luck started out the game going eight for nine on the first drive. His ending stats look great as well, passing for 312 yards, three touchdowns, and most importantly no INTs.

It looked like Luck was little rusty throughout the game however, missing some open receivers and letting some throws sail on him. This could be in direct relation to his shoulder issue, but he did have some laser throws that proved otherwise. If you have to boil it down it seemed that Luck was only mildly bothered by his shoulder injury, at least in my opinion. He just seemed a little out of sync with his receivers, which could be expected based on his two game absence.

With a full week of practice ahead I think Luck can use it to game some of that rapport back with the receivers, just in time for a match-up versus the weak New Orleans secondary.

Takeaway number 3: Ryan Grigson and Chuck Pagano have sealed their own fate

For Grigson, I think the writing has been on the wall that he may be on the way out after this season. I think last night’s game further proved that point. The Colts defense looked lost pretty much the entire game, as Tom Brady completely eviscerated the secondary over the middle all night. The defenders just seemed to allow the Patriots receivers anything they wanted over the middle and in a few cases the Patriots were able to hit the Colts with the wide open deep ball. This lack of defensive talent(with a few exceptions) is directly related to Grigson’s offseason moves. He’s brought in players that are past their prime and as Al Michaels so eloquently put it “It seems like they tried to bring in the All-Pro alumni team”.

His dead-eye focus on improving the offense clearly hasn’t worked either, and with the lack of defensive moves, the Colts seriously lag on that side of the ball. If nothing is done, the Colts will continue to be picked apart by opposing quarterbacks.

I gave Pagano some sympathy a few weeks ago, but as of now I think it’s time for him to go as well. As referenced above, I thought the Colts took far too many risks last night and they payed for a few. Most notably this:

I’ve watched a lot of football in my time, but this is the single worst play call I’ve ever seen in my life. The Colts actually had a chance to win this football game, after this play the Patriots scored, crushing the Colts hopes for a win. Now, I’m not saying this play was the reason they lost, because there were several factors contributing to the loss, but seriously? This play is so stupid it wouldn’t even work in Madden.

I thought at the beginning of the season if the Colts didn’t win the Super Bowl, Pagano would be let go. Now, I’m starting to think he’ll get fired before the season ends. You only get so many chances, and I’ve personally lost faith in him as a coach.

Takeaway number 4: I still hate the Patriots

Either way you slice it, I still hate New England, and I always will. You know that feeling you get in your stomach when you’re really agitated with something? I get that feeling whenever I think of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski with those stupid grins on their faces. I’ll refrain from a Dennis Green-esque rant here, but you get my point, the Patriots are the ABSOLUTE WORST. And before you ask, yes, I am very salty about last night’s loss and I’ll leave it at that.

As this mediocre season continues for the Colts, let’s hope they can get back on track against New Orleans next week. I guess just look on the bright side, they’re still the best team in the AFC South!

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