Patriots To Host Indianapolis Colts In AFC Championship
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts will battle for a trip to Super Bowl XLIX next Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
The Colts moved on with a 24-13 win over Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round Sunday afternoon. Quarterback Andrew Luck threw for 265 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the win, while Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was held to just 187 passing yards and one touchdown.
New England, the top seed in the AFC, moved on Saturday night with a remarkable 35-31 comeback victory against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Patriots and Colts met back in Week 11 of the regular season, with the Patriots coming out on top 42-20. Running back Jonas Gray did most of the work on offense in that game, rushing for 201 yards and four touchdowns. Gray was not active for New England's win over the Ravens on Saturday.
Luck threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns in that Week 11 meeting. He was also picked off in the second quarter when Darrelle Revis deflected a pass attempt to safety Devin McCourty at the New England 22-yard line. That set up one of Gray's four touchdown runs, giving New England a 14-3 advantage at the time.
Tom Brady, who threw for 367 yards yards and three touchdowns against the Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round, was picked off twice in Indianapolis in Week 11. He finished that game with 257 passing yards and two touchdowns.
The Patriots and Colts also met in the playoffs last season, with the Patriots coming out victorious 43-22 in the Divisional Round. Brady did not throw a touchdown pass in the game, but LeGarrette Blount rushed for 166 yards and four touchdowns. The New England defense picked Luck off four times, leading to 14 points for the Patriots.
This will be the third time the Patriots and Colts will battle for the AFC Championship. New England won 24-14 back in the 2003-04 season, with the Patriots defense picking off then-Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (on the losing end to Indianapolis on Sunday) four times in the contest. The Colts then beat the Patriots in the 2006-07 title game at the RCA Dome, coming back from a 21-6 halftime deficit to win the game 38-34.
Kickoff for Sunday's AFC Championship is scheduled for 6:40pm.
Tune in to Sunday's AFC Championship game on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV -- the flagship stations of The New England Patriots!
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