At 5-7 on the season and clinging to what is left of their playoff hopes, the Indianapolis Colts travel to New England to take on the Patriots in Week 13 in what has quickly become a must-win game.
While this will be the fourth consecutive season that the Colts and Patriots have played each other, this is a bit of a new look New England team. So to help us preview the upcoming matchup, Jordy McElroy, the managing editor of Patriots Wire, was kind enough to answer five of our questions to help provide us with some insight into this year’s team.
Over halfway through the season, what are the impressions of Drake Maye? How has he looked?
McElroy: The Drake Maye experience has been everything the Patriots hoped it would be. Not only does he look like a franchise quarterback, but he looks like a future top-10 quarterback in the NFL. The biggest problem right now is the lack of help around him.
He isn’t being beaten like a piñata like Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Jacoby Brissett did under center, mostly due to his ability to escape with his legs when things break down around him.
However, don’t think for one second that Patriots fans aren’t praying for an improved offensive line and receiving weapons harder than Ricky Bobby over a spread of Domino’s, KFC and Taco Bell.
At 3-9, what has given New England trouble this season?
McElroy: Offensive line, receiving weapons, defense and penalties.Every positive play created by Maye and the Patriots offense is seemingly moonwalked back for negative yards due to a penalty. That’s assuming the offensive line holds up in pass protection, and the receivers don’t drop catchable balls.
The most surprising issue for New England has been the defense. They are hemorrhaging too many big plays away from standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez. It doesn’t help matters that the defensive line can’t get consistent pressure on quarterbacks.
On the flip side, where have they found some success?
McElroy: The Patriots are a much better team offensively with Maye under center. He can extend plays with his legs and make opposing defenses pay if they aren’t prepared for him to scramble. There’s also the threat of him going over the top, assuming he has the receiver help downfield.
Christian Barmore returning on defense has been a huge lift in stopping the rushing attack, and the team might have safety Jabrill Peppers back in the secondary. The Patriots have struggled defensively this season, but the unit shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Who is an under-the-radar player on offense and one on defense for Colts fans to know?
McElroy: A solid under-the-radar offensive player for New England is without question wideout Demario Douglas. The 2023 sixth-round draft pick was an obvious steal for the Patriots, and he is currently the most reliable receiver on the roster.
As for the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Marcus Jones is an electrifying talent who doesn’t get half of the recognition he deserves. He’s a solid defensive player with returner and offensive gadget skills. The Patriots use him in all three phases of football.
Who wins and why?
McElroy: The Patriots are back at home and feeling the heat from an embarrassing performance against the Miami Dolphins. I’m expecting the defense to have a better showing against the Colts than they had against the Dolphins’ high-powered offense.
Perhaps they’ll even come up with a takeaway or two to shift the game in their favor. Meanwhile, Maye should have another strong outing with less penalties to impede him this time around.
Patriots 28, Colts 20
