The Indianapolis Colts lost to the New England Patriots on Sunday but New England admitted that Indy was one step ahead during the game.
On Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts officially hit rock bottom after losing to the New England Patriots 26-3. In a season of embarrassments, the Week 9 loss may have been the most embarrassing moment of them all. Indy’s offense just couldn’t get going and was thoroughly dominated all day. To make matters worse, following the game, the Patriots admitted that the Colts did have an advantage over them.
During postgame press conferences, New England’s players confessed to the media that Indianapolis knew the Patriots’ plays. Multiple players from the Patriots’ offense said that Indy’s Pro Bowl linebacker, Shaquille Leonard, was accurately calling out a lot of their plays before the snap. New England was confused by how Leonard knew what was coming and the Pats are hoping to figure it out before other defenders pick up on whatever it is that Leonard did.
That helps explain why the Colts’ defense played so well on Sunday, not that it needed much explanation because the defense has been locked in all year. Against the Patriots, Indianapolis only gave up 203 yards and one touchdown, and that touchdown came on a drive that New England started on Indy’s two-yard line after a blocked punt. The defense didn’t receive much help from the offense or special teams but they did their best to limit the Patriots, often forcing them to punt or settle for field goals.
There was talk in the locker room among some offensive players that Shaquille Leonard was calling out some of their play calls, such as outside runs and screen plays.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) November 6, 2022
Patriots should dive into what tells they're giving the offense before each play
Shaquille Leonard and Colts knew the Patriots’ plays
Knowing that Indianapolis had this advantage over the Pats makes the loss even more unfortunate but it’s understandable why it didn’t make a difference in the outcome of the game. The problem for the Colts wasn’t on the defensive side of the ball; truthfully, the defense likely would’ve still contained New England’s offense even if they didn’t know the plays. It was Indy’s offense that needed some additional help.
The offense has been bad all year but Sunday was especially rough as Sam Ehlinger was sacked nine times. Indy’s offense essentially knew what the Patriots were doing, upfront at least, because New England was running the same twist stunt and the offensive line couldn’t stop it. That’s been the case all year and it’s unfortunate that such a quality defense is being wasted by an inept offense.
Moving forward, things likely won’t get better. So unless Shaquille Leonard and the defense can learn enough of the opposing teams’ plays to hold opponents to zero, Indy’s defense will continue to be let down by the offense.
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