The New England Patriots offense did whatever they wanted on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Fortunately, thanks to Anthony Richardson and the offense, the Colts were able to escape with the win.
Believe it or not, the Patriots entered this game ranked 31st in points per game at just over 16 per contest this season. They also ranked 31st in average yards per play.
However, against the Colts, the Patriots offense did whatever they wanted. As an offense, New England rushed for over 200 yards and totaled over 400 yards of offense. They were efficient on third downs, controlled the time of possession, and averaged 6.5 yards per play.
This success started with their ability to dictate the game on the ground and for the Colts, was reminiscent of their early season performances against Houston and Green Bay to begin the year.
Running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson rushed for 135 combined yards, with Gibson specifically averaging 8.9 yards per carry. Quarterback Drake May also added 59 rushing yards of his own at nearly 12.0 yards per attempt.
When an offense can move the ball on the ground, there is a positive trickle-down effect to the rest of that unit. It keeps the offense ahead of the sticks and in short down-and-distance situations, where the entire playbook is open to them, which can keep the defense on its feels, force them to defend the entire field–thus creating space for the offense to operate in–helping to open up opportunities in the passing game.
From these advantageous down-and-distances, Maye was extremely efficient as a passer, and New England was lights out on third downs. In the game of football, it all goes hand-in-hand.
Also not helping things for the Colts’ defense was the matchup between the Patriots tight ends and Indianapolis’ second-level defenders, oftentimes the linebackers.
The Colts have struggled to defend tight ends this season, and the duo of Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper have been focal points in the Patriots passing game with Maye at quarterback. Combined, the two would total just shy of 100 receiving yards with a touchdown.
You wouldn’t know it watching this game unfold, but the Colts defense had been holding its own for a number of weeks now, and that includes doing so against some good NFL offenses. But today, we saw them revert back to what had plagued them in the early going of this season, which is poor run defense, missed tackles, and what I’m going to assume are some missed assignments.
What saved this Colts’ defense and kept the offense in the game was the Patriots red zone struggles.
While New England moved the ball up and down the field and had six red zone trips, they left with a touchdown only twice. But oftentimes, those stops were do to the Patriots own miscues, which included penalties, a bobbled pass that turned to an interception, and a missed field goal attempt before half.
There have certainly been instances this season where the defense has hung on as long as they could, waiting for the offense to make a play that never ended up happening. Today, it was the offense’s turn to provide some help to a struggling defense, and Richardson made sure to deliver.
