3 things Colts must do to snap Patriots winning streak
1. Colts must run the ball
The most common demand from Indianapolis fans is that the team runs the ball. With Jonathan Taylor, the best running back in the league, in the backfield, there are times where it seems as if Indy isn’t utilizing him enough.
Whenever they do feed Taylor, Indianapolis wins. In seven wins on the season, Taylor has surpassed 100 yards in every one of them. That will likely have to be the case on Saturday.
The Patriots have the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL, allowing just 15.4 points a game. If they were to be exploited anywhere defensively, it would be on the ground.
New England allows just 195.5 passing yards a game, third-best in the NFL. On the ground, however, they give up 114.5 yards a game, putting them 19th in the NFL.
During their seven-game winning streak, the Patriots have been more effective at limiting teams on the ground, giving up more than 100 yards just twice over the seven-game span.
When the New England defense has its way, it takes away the run and forces opponents to pass the ball against a talented secondary. Indianapolis must avoid that and do what they do best, run the football.
If the Colts can run the ball, along with stopping the run and forcing turnovers, they have a good chance to be the first team to win against the Patriots since October. The game probably won’t be easy, but Indianapolis must be prepared to overcome challenges to fulfill their goal of making the playoffs.
