3 things Colts must do to snap Patriots winning streak
2. Colts must stop the run
Earlier in the week, Indy’s starting linebacker Bobby Okereke boldly told the media the Colts’ defensive game plan: stop the run and see what Mac Jones is made of. For Indianapolis to have a chance of winning this game, they will have to execute that plan.
In New England’s last game, a Monday night game against the Bills, the team only passed the ball three times, with just two completions for 19 yards. For the rest of the game, the Patriots ran the ball 46 times for 222 yards.
No secret on the Colts’ plan for the Patriots on Saturday night:
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) December 13, 2021
Linebacker Bobby Okereke: “We’re really gonna try to make the game one dimensional and see what (Mac Jones) can do.”
While the decision to mainly run was due to the weather conditions, New England has been playing behind the run, to a lesser extent, for most of their entire win streak.
Over the seven-straight victories, the Patriots are averaging just under 35 rushes a game for 155.1 yards. Everything they do offensively is designed around the run game so they start every game looking to get that rolling.
Indy must make sure New England isn’t successful on the ground in order to win this game. If the Colts fail to stop the run, the Patriots will be able to control the pace of the game and do whatever they want against Indianapolis’ defense.