Could a Colts win bring an end to Bill Belichick’s career with New England Patriots?

Just weeks ago, it was leaked that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft re-signed long time coach Bill Belichick to a new lucrative long-term deal with minimal fanfare from the press or team. This came after a shaky couple of seasons with some definite troubles finding the right assistants to help guide his team. As this season has continued, the Patriots find themselves in a similar situation as they are currently 2-7 and cannot find any kind of consistency.

Just recently, a rumor hit the internet that Belichick might be coaching for his job on Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany against the Indianapolis Colts. That would make for an interesting chapter in this rivalry between the Colts and the Patriots.

Let’s look back at the rivalry between the two teams and what’s at stake on Sunday.

Bill Belichick vs Colts

Belichick has had his history with the Indianapolis Colts. In fact, he has coached against the Colts 33 times and has a 23-10 record against them. While he owns them in his career, Indianapolis did get some key victories against the Pats. The first that comes to mind was the 2006 AFC Championship Game at the RCA Dome. This game was during the peak of the Patriots dynasty and at a time when fans were curious if Peyton Manning would ever beat Tom Brady and the Patriots when it mattered. The Colts erased a 21-3 deficit and won the game 38-34 with a game-clinching interception by Colts DB Marlin Jackson. The Colts would go on to win the Super Bowl that year over the Chicago Bears 29-17.

The other game that brings a smile to Colts fans was the infamous 4th-and-2 game where a 4th down play with Kevin Faulk was short on a screen pass. The placement of the ball is still questioned to this day, but all Colts fans (including myself) will tell you he was short. Like the 2006 AFC Title game, Indy made a comeback as well. This time down 34-21 they would go on to win this game 35-34. The Colts did not win a single game against the Patriots in the 2010’s (0-8) and didn’t see a victory over the Patriots again until 2021.