Patriots are never threatened, crush Colts 45-7
It was 51 degrees and a steady rain for the opening kickoff at 6:50PM. Indianapolis RB Trent Richardson was inactive due to a family issue.
A third rushing TD by LeGarrette Blount with 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter ended the day for Blount, and a 45-7 lead . A dangerous low hit on QB Tom Brady with just under six minutes remaining scared the hometown fans. Tom was finally taken out of the game with three minutes 15 seconds to play to a standing ovation.
Opening drive in the second half had the Patriots marching 80 yards in nine plays. The drive featured the power running of LeGarrette Blount. A 16 yard pass to a tackle eligible Nate Solder from Tom Brady resulted in a TD, and a 24-7 lead.
The Patriots forced a three and out by the Colts. New England moved 62 yards in eight plays. During the drive, Patriot's head coach Bill Belichick was visibly upset following a five yard penalty to Nate Solder who did not report to the referee that he was an ineligible receiver. Two plays later, a Tom Brady to TE Rob Gronskowski six yard TD pass widened the lead to 31-7.
An Andrew Luck pass intended for T.Y. Hilton was intercepted by New England CB Darrelle Revis and returned 30 yards to the Indy 13. RB LeGarrette Blount continued his mastery of the Colts with a 13 yard TD run up the middle. The third quarter ended with the Patriots ahead, 38-7. The Colts were outgained, 173-22 in the quarter.
It was a quick three and out on the first Colts' series. New England opened with Shane Vereen at running back. Following a first down completion to Vereen from QB Tom Brady, it was two more plays and out for the Patriots.
On the ensuing punt, Indy KR Josh Cribbs had the football hit his facemask in flight, resulting in a fumble. The Patriots took six plays to move 26 yards for the 7-0 lead. RB LeGarrette Blount scored on a one yard run.
A head injury to New England CB Darrelle Revis sent him to the sidelines to be checked out by team physicians. Revis was accidentally kicked in the head on a running play by LB Dont'a Hightower. Darrelle returned to the field in time to watch Indy K Adam Vinatieri's field goal attempt sail wide right.
The Patriots added a late first quarter score on a one yard TD pass from Tom Brady to FB James Develin. This was the first career TD catch of Develin's career. The Pats had a 14-0 lead as the first quarter came to a close.
New England got the ball at its 30 following a Indianapolis punt. The Patriots moved to the Indy 26. Tom Brady's pass intended for TE Rob Gronkowski was intercepted by Colts' LB D'Qwell Jackson at the one yard line. Jackson returned the interception to the seven yard line where Indy mounted a 93 yard drive. The Colts scored on a one yard run by RB Zurlon Tipton. The drive was aided by two New England penalties, 15 yards for a late hit on DT Vince Wilfork and a five yard holding penalty on LB Jamie Collins.
A solid goal line stand by the Colts held the Patriots to a 21 yard field goal by Stephen Gotkowski. New England had the ball for seven plays inside the 15 yard line. The Patriots converted a fourth and one from the Colts' four yard line.
New England took a 17-7 lead to halftime. RB LeGarrette Blount rushed for 68 yards on 16 carries. QB Tom Brady was 11 for 21 passing with one TD and one interception. TE Rob Gronkowski was targeted three rimes, but was held without a catch. Indy QB Andrew Luck completed just seven of 19 for 89 yards.
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.
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