FOXBORO, Mass. — The Indianapolis Colts didn’t stand a chance.
This New England Patriots team is rolling, and they steamrolled Andrew Luck and the Colts for the second time this season. This one, a 45-7 drubbing Sunday night, was even worse than Week 11’s 42-20 win in Indianapolis.
Everywhere the Patriots were supposed to “win,” they won. They gashed the Colts’ defense with their rushing attack, halted Indy’s running backs and forced poor throws out of Luck.
The Patriots officially are on to the Seattle Seahawks and Glendale, Ariz., for Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1.
Here are the Patriots’ individual stars of the game:
LEGARRETTE BLOUNT
It’s as if Bill Belichick wanted to prove to Jonas Gray that it was the system and the team, not the running back, that plowed through the Colts in Week 11. Well, Blount helped drive that point home with 148 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs because they didn’t have a suitable backup for Le’Veon Bell, must be kicking themselves for releasing Blount in Week 12.
DARRELLE REVIS
The Patriots cornerback didn’t allow a single reception to Reggie Wayne and Donte Moncrief, and helped limit Luck to just 126 yards on 12-of-33 passing while also intercepting him once. Linebacker Jamie Collins recorded Luck’s second interception.
Want to know why the Patriots signed Revis this offseason? Rewatch this game.
Revis briefly left the game with an undisclosed injury.
JULIAN EDELMAN
The Colts’ goal was to eliminate Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski with double coverage. It kind of almost worked (even though he still scored a touchdown), but Edelman benefitted from the game plan.
The shifty receiver caught nine passes from Brady for 98 yards, helping to move the ball on third down. Edelman briefly came out of the game with a hip injury.
ROB NINKOVICH
The defensive lineman was in Luck’s face for most of the game and finished with two passes defensed and two quarterback hits. He undoubtedly led the team in pressures.
KYLE ARRINGTON
Revis shut down his side of the field, but Arrington helped shut down the Colts’ No. 1 weapon, receiver T.Y. Hilton, who caught one pass for 36 yards. That’s it. Arrington even had solid coverage on the play, but Hilton somehow plucked it out of the air on a perfect pass from Luck.
Arrington stayed on the field even in nickel sets, as the Patriots valued him in coverage more than Brandon Browner in this game.
