The Colts had to know what was coming.
But they couldn’t stop it.
The Patriots went back to a familiar formula in last night’s 42-20 win over the Colts, running for 244 yards, with Jonas Gray leading the way with 199 and four touchdowns.
It was similar to last year’s playoff loss, when LeGarrette Blount had 166 of the team’s 234 rushing yards.
“We’re going to see those guys again,” linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said, via Mike Wells of ESPN.com. “Guys won’t forget this feeling. This wasn’t us as a team. You have to give them a lot of credit. Defensively, we didn’t do what we had to do to give our team a chance to win the ballgame.”
Being punched in the face was symbolic of the night for the Colts, who are now 6-4 after losses to heavyweights including the Broncos, Eagles and Steelers. That has knocked them temporarily out of the mix for a playoff bye, and into a muddled AFC mix.
“It stinks; it’s terrible,” wide receiver Reggie Wayne said. “Our main objective has always been to protect our home turf. We knew it was going be a tough fight, but we let this one slip, we let this one squander. It was a terrible display as a team. But right now we still control our own destiny in the AFC South. Who knows, we may see this team again, it might be a little bit chilly.”
And if they do, the Colts should probably prepare for the run game next time.