Patriots-Colts Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) - The 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBZ-TV, and WBZ NewsRadio 1030 sports teams make their predictions for Sunday's Patriots-Colts showdown at Gillette Stadium.
Scott Zolak, 98.5 The Sports Hub
The more I read and the more I watch the Indianapolis Colts, the more I think they're the most overrated 6-3 team the Patriots face this season.
A lot of people are paying attention to Andrew Luck, and he is darn good, but if you look at some of the other numbers from guys like Tannehill and RG III, there are a lot of other rookies that are playing well. Plus, the Colts were the worst team last year, and have a last place schedule.
What To Watch For: Talib, Ridley and A Brady-Luck Showdown
The question has been asked around here -- especially on 98.5 The Sports Hub -- would you swap Brady for Luck today, and there were certain shows that answered "absolutely 100%," so I think Brady will be a little pissed this week. Remember when everyone was talking about Tim Tebow last year?
Patriots 31, Colts 14
Andy Gresh, 98.5 The Sports Hub
Andrew Luck has played great; the numbers really don't show how well he's played.
But this is a game where the Patriots can really run the ball. I think they run the ball between the 20's and then Brady is able to get some touchdown passes.
Patriots 31, Colts 23
Walt Perkins, WBZ NewsRadio 1030
I don't have a good feeling about Sunday's game with the Indianapolis Colts. Maybe watching Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo Bills roll up 481 total yards has something to do with that.
Maybe knowing that Logan Mankins and Dan Connolly suffered injuries in that Bills game has something to do with that.
Read: Mankins Doubtful; Hernandez, Welker Questionable
But as uneasy as I feel about this game, I still think that the Patriots come away winners.
I just don't see a rookie quarterback, even one as good as Andrew Luck, providing enough points (much different from total yards) against the Patriots. Just as I don't see the Colts defense, as good as it is, being able to shut down Tom Brady and the offense.
And while Patriot Nation has always rallied 'round the cry, "In Bill we trust", I think Patriots fans should add, "In Dante we trust" because Mr. Scarnecchia will have the offensive line ready regardless of who is on the field.
Patriots 34, Colts 27
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
This is a fun match-up as we watch the quarterback of the past/present battle the quarterback of the present/future.
Tom Brady should lead the offense to a solid performance against the Colts. Indy is basically in the middle to bottom half of the league in defense. They allow 120 rush yards and a touchdown per game, and have given up 15 touchdowns through the air this season. Expect Brady, Ridley, Gronk and company to do what they do despite injuries to Logan Mankins and Dan Connolly.
Andrew Luck has had an outstanding rookie campaign and looks like a superstar-in-the-making. He'll be the main focus for fans (and likely the Patriots defense) on Sunday as Indy doesn't run the ball all that well. However, that doesn't bode well for a Pats defense that has struggled against just about every quarterback this season.
Newcomer Aqib Talib should help, but it may take some time.
Patriots 34, Colts 31
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
I have to be honest with you, if the Patriots were playing this game in Indy I would be picking the Colts. The New England defense is struggling; I thought they would play better out of the bye week, but they didn't.
But, that could be the main reason why I feel they are going to win this week. To a man in that locker room, the players felt they did not put their best effort on the field against the Bills on Sunday. They won, but they won ugly.
This week's practices were eye-opening, and the Pats need to get on some sort of pace and find consistency.
Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne and the Colts and good, but come Sunday just not good enough.
Patriots 36, Colts 21
Tune in to Sunday's Patriots-Colts game on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV at 4:25pm. Pregame coverage begins with WBZ-TV's Patriots GameDay at 11:30am, with 98.5′s Patriots Preview beginning at 1pm. Following the game, stick around for three hours of postgame coverage on The Sports Hub, and Patriots 5th Quarter on MyTV38.
