As we learned last week in Green Bay, the forecast can and will change in the days and hours preceding kickoff of a football game.
For tonight’s game between the Colts and Patriots at Gillette Stadium, the chance of rain at kickoff stands at 100 percent -- and the predicted winds have climbed north of 20 miles per hour.
Significant winds could affect the passing games for both teams, forcing greater reliance on the run. For the Patriots, that means opportunities for Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount, who had 189 yards rushing for New England in Week 17 against the Bills. In the rain.
While Ridley has the reputation for being prone to dropping the ball, Blount fumbled against the Bills. As did three other Patriots not named Ridley. All were recovered by the Pats.
For the Colts, both Donald Brown and Trent Richardson had fumbles last week. While Brown’s at least happened with contact from an opponent (Richardson simply dropped the ball), both guys will have to find their grip in the rain -- or the Colts will have to turn to Tashard Choice.