The Indianapolis Colts face off against the New England Patriots in NFL Week 6 action. What five keys are there for the Colts to come away with a big win?
1. Andrew Luck Must Get Healthy and Be Able to Make Key Throws
Obviously the biggest key for the Colts is getting Andrew Luck back on the field and unleashing him on a Patriots' defense that is nothing close to what they were in the secondary last season. Both Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner are gone and the Colts have a much better wide receiving corps. Luck has to be able to make all the throws that the offense calls for from him, but it certainly sounds like he has a good chance to be able to play.
2. Indianapolis Must Establish Frank Gore on the Ground
Frank Gore was one of the big free agency acquisitions by the Colts and could fill a huge role for his new team against their arch rivals. Indianapolis didn't have a run game last year in their AFC Championship game matchup with the Patriots, but that has changed this season. Pep Hamilton must make sure to establish Gore early and often in the game and balance the offensive attack well.
3. Pressure Must Be Put On Tom Brady
Robert Mathis and the rest of the Indianapolis defense has to figure out a way to put pressure on Patriots' superstar quarterback Tom Brady. He is playing at an MVP level so far this season and the only way to have any chance at forcing a mistake is to put pressure on him and hit him a few times. Shaking him up has to be the Colts' game plan and they have to find a way to get through New England's strong offensive line.
4. Find a Way to Slow Down Rob Gronkowski and Dion Lewis
Surprisingly, the Patriots have more than just Rob Gronkowski now as a lethal weapon for Brady. Dion Lewis was signed and released by the Colts last season and is looking to get some revenge on the team that didn't give him much of a chance. If the Colts want to have any chance at coming away with a win, they have to find a way to slow down both Gronkowski and Lewis and make other targets beat them.
5. Take Care of the Football
One of the biggest problems that Luck and the Colts have had in the last four meetings against the Patriots has been taking care of the football. They have turned it over way to freely and that can't happen this week. New England's defense is still very talented and the Colts have to be careful with the football and take what the defense gives them rather than trying to force the issue.
It will be an intriguing game if Luck is indeed able to play this coming Sunday night. These two teams hate each other and there is even more tension between them due to the entire "Deflategate" situation that the two teams had last time they played. Chuck Pagano and the Colts are heavy underdogs coming into this week's game and have to focus on these five things, among others, in order to come out with a huge victory.
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