FOXBORO — The days of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning dueling in regular-season on the spot classics by no means felt so distant.
The newest version of Pats-Colts was sloppy, a area purpose competition marred by uninspired quarterback play and injured offensive traces. Special groups delivered the highest spotlight. For a time Sunday, there have been extra unfavorable performs than accomplished ahead passes.
But as they’ve so usually on this rivalry, the Patriots pulled away. And for a group working to rejuvenate its second-year quarterback and set up an offensive identification, an unpleasant win would do.
The Pats tied a franchise file with 9 sacks in a 26-3 rout of Indianapolis that now leads right into a well-timed bye week. Edge rushers Matt Judon and Josh Uche nabbed three sacks apiece, whereas cornerback Jonathan Jones blocked a second-quarter punt and scored on a deflected pick-six within the closing minutes. Defensively, the Patriots grew to become the third group since a minimum of 1991 to carry an opponent to 0-of-14 or worse on third down.
“That is hard to top,” mentioned Pats security Adrian Phillips. “It is definitely a dominant performance.”
The Pats (5-4) moved above .500 for the primary time this season, regardless of managing simply 203 complete yards and Mac Jones going 20-of-30 for 147 yards and a landing. Jones ended a private streak of six straight video games with an interception and overcame below-average offensive line play that resulted in 4 sacks and a group common of two.5 yards per carry. Patriots left guard Cole Strange was benched once more for Isaiah Wynn and longtime reserve Yodny Cajuste began at proper deal with.
Jonathan Jones’ punt block was a becoming turning level for the Patriots, who allowed a punt block landing in a foul 27-17 loss at Indianapolis final December. Jones additionally helped corral the Colts in each essential defensive second, from the 14 third-down performs to a pair of fourth-down stops.
“We had that dialed up on punt, to go after him pretty early. I don’t know if it was revenge for last year, but it’s kind of on our radar to go after him on special teams,” Jones mentioned. “And then on defense, the front. They got after him, tied the team record for sacks and it makes our job on the back end so much easier.”
The Pats’ defensive dominance began instantly, with Judon dropping Colts quarterback Sam Eghlinger (15-of-29, 103 yards, INT) for 2 sacks within the first quarter, the latter ending an Indianapolis drive that began in Patriots territory. Meanwhile, the Pats offense gained 11 yards over its first dozen performs, together with two sacks of Jones.
The Patriots lastly wrestled free late within the first quarter with a 24-yard display screen to tight finish Jonnu Smith, who took the group’s first steps throughout midfield. Five performs later, Folk booted a 49-yard area purpose. Folk punctuated the Pats’ subsequent drive with one other area purpose for a 6-0 rating, and the Patriots’ particular groups piled on instantly to greater than double their lead.
After serving to his protection drive one other three-and-out, Jonathan Jones initially aligned large proper within the Pats’ punt return formation. But because the Colts ready to kick it away, Jones crept towards the snap and timed his edge rush completely, going untouched till his diving block had smothered Matt Haack’s punt. Patriots rookie Brenden Schooler instantly scooped the free ball and rolled ahead with possession till he was downed at Indianapolis’ 2-yard line.
Gifted a foolproof scoring alternative, Mac Jones capitalized with a brief landing toss left for operating again Rhamondre Stevenson at 6:18 left within the quarter. The Pats’ 13-0 lead held via halftime because of Colts kicker Chase McLaughlin swinging a 39-yard area purpose attempt large left within the waning seconds.
After a third-quarter Jakobi Meyers fumble, McLaughlin finally bought Indianapolis on the board with a 40-yarder at 13-3. But the Patriots would yield no extra, forcing the Colts to submit with two punts, one pick-six and a pair of turnover on downs to finish the sport.
“Big day for Jon Jones, big day for our team defense. (The) coverage, rush, great game plan by the defensive coaches and well executed. Put a lot of pressure on the Colts and were able to take advantage of the situations, headed by Ju [Matthew Judon],” Bill Belichick mentioned. “Big day for us out there. Really big day.”
Here had been the perfect and worst Patriot performances from Sunday:
Best
Punt group The Patriots blocked one punt and Marcus Jones’ 23-yard return off one other arrange a scoring drive.
Pass rush In addition to Judon and Uche, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Raekwon McMillan each had sacks and Jahlani Tavai and Deatrich Wise break up one other.
Okay Nick Folk He went 4-for-4, together with three area objectives from 40-plus yards away.
CB Jalen Mills The veteran nook registered two cross breakups and shut down Michael Pittman, the Colts’ No. 1 wideout.
Worst
OL Cole Strange The rookie was benched for a second straight week after getting whistled for holding within the first quarter and getting beat badly in cross safety on the Pats’ opening drive.
Source: www.bostonherald.com