Turnovers, Red Zone defense enough for Patriots
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However, the Colts only managed to turn those 386 yards into 20 points (they got an additional 2 points on a safety), thanks to phenomenal performances in the turnover department and the red zone. The Patriots picked off Andrew Luck four times while denying the Colts a touchdown on both of their red zone opportunities.
The takeaways started very early for the Pats D. The Colt's third play from scrimmage saw cornerback Alfonzo Dennard rip the ball out of LaVon Brazill's hands. Dennard appeared to return it for a touchdown, but was ruled out of bounds at the one yard line, setting up the first of LeGarrette Blount's franchise record four rushing TDs on the day.
Two Blount touchdowns later saw the Patriots up by 14 early in the second quarter. However, Luck and the Colts seemed poised to bring the margin back down to seven with a drive of their own in response, marching 62 yards in 8 plays. However, the Pats D stiffened when it mattered most. Donta Hightower blasted through the line to tackle Donald Brown for no gain on second down, setting up a third and 6. Steve Gregory then broke up a Luck pass intended for TY Hilton, forcing the Colts to settle for 3 and keeping it a two-possesion game at 21-10.
The Colts threatened on their next possession as well, driving 36 yards to their 44 yard line in five plays as they attempted to run a 2 minute drill to pull within four before halftime. However, a Luck pass bounced off the chest of Colts fullback Stanley Havili, right into the waiting arms of Donta Hightower. While the offense wasn't able to turn the unexpected late opportunity into points, it was a timely play for a defense that had struggled in the second half of the season.
The Patriots offense had an opportunity to pull away, starting the second half with the ball, but their second consecutive three-and-out gave the ball back to Indy, who again had a chance to close the gap. A 40 yard pass to TY Hilton (on 3rd and 7) sparked a Colts drive that got all the way to the New England 4 line. However, the Pats yielded only a single yard on two consecutive runs, setting up a third down jumpball to TE Coby Fleener that was very well defended by Jamie Collins. A touchdown would have cut the lead to two, but Adam Vinatieri's field goal merely made the score 21-15.
After LeGarrette Blount's 73 yard touchdown run finally broke the game open early in the fourth quarter, the Patriots defense capitalized on the Colts need to throw. The first offensive play following the touchdown (excluding a false start penalty) saw Collins flash his impressive athleticism, dropping deep in coverage on Fleener before picking off a forced throw by Luck. Four plays later, Stevan Ridley was bulling his way into the end zone. It was a 14 point swing in under two minutes, turning a 29-22 contest into a 43-22 laugher.
Finally, Alfonzo Dennard decided to end the game how he started, picking off a desperation Luck pass in garbage time. It was the defense's fourth takeaway against a Colts team that only turned it over 14 times in the regular season.
Regardless of who the Pats draw in the AFC Championship game (their third consecutive appearance in football's final four), the defense will need to continue to excel in both the red zone and the turnover department. Either Philip Rivers or Peyton Manning will pose another stiff test for a young Patriots defense that appears to be coming together despite their injuries.
