Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Patriots Gridiron News: Team prepares for a very dangerous Andrew Luck

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 30: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a touchdown during the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 30: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a touchdown during the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New England Patriots defense showed up in a major way in Sunday’s 38-7 victory over the Dolphins.  They have to show that same effort against Andrew Luck on Thursday night.

Don’t sleep on Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night.  Despite coming off a shoulder injury, the New England Patriots will still have their work cut out for them against the young star quarterback.

Granted, it hasn’t been the rivalry it was when Peyton Manning was wearing the blue and white horseshoe helmet, but Luck is a very talented quarterback very capable of putting up some big numbers against a defense that has shown glaring weakness in Week 2 and Week 3.

Coming off a short week, Patriots safety Devin McCourty knows how dangerous Luck is and knows his defense has to step up the way they did against the Dolphins.

More from Chowder and Champions

"“Even in that second half without T.Y. Hilton, spreading the ball out, getting the ball to a lot of different guys, catch-and-run plays, vertical plays,” McCourty said in his press conference on Tuesday.  “So, he’s still the same type of guy that can get the ball wherever he wants, and you saw in the Philly game if you don’t keep a guy or keep him in the pocket, he’s very capable of running 30 yards down the field and changing the field position.  He’s always a tough guy, very competitive, is able to make a lot of plays and you can’t really count him out.”"

The New England Patriots defense has had success against Andrew Luck in the past.  They typically force turnovers and jump out to big leads against the Colts in those games.  The team will need that same formula on Thursday night and force a very unpredictable Indianapolis team to play from behind.

Speaking of unpredictability, Devin McCourty knows the defense has to prepare for any type of game and can’t be caught off guard.

"“We have to really be prepared for any type of game,” McCourty said.  “Like they can come out in no-huddle, throwing the ball all around the field and they still have a good amount of backs that can go in there and then getting [Robert] Turbin back will help them too.”"

Covering running backs catching the ball out of the backfield has been one of the weaknesses in the Patriots defense. You better believe Andrew Luck and the Colts’ offense will try to exploit that in hopes of scoring an upset Thursday night.

Patriots inch up in the NFL power rankings

After playing their best game of the season Sunday, the New England Patriots find themselves back near the top 5 in the NFL power rankings this week.

At 2-2, the Patriots come in at No. 6 in the NFL.com rankings right behind the 2-1 Carolina Panthers.  With the offense staring to find its footing and defense looking like an actual defense, expect the New England Patriots to continue to climb back to a top 3 spot in the rankings.

Midweek injury report

Rob Gronkowski was the only player listed as a DNP on the hypothetical practice report on Monday.  He was also on the list on the team’s walkthrough on Tuesday.  What does this mean for Thursday night’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts?

It could mean that the New England Patriots could decide not to play Gronk given the short week and opponent.  With Julian Edelman set to return and the running game showing promise, resting Gronkowski could make sense.

The All-Pro tight end left Sunday’s beatdown of the Miami Dolphins with an ankle injury that has been deemed non-serious.  However, it must be worrisome enough for the Patriots to list him as a DNP if the team held actual practices Monday and Tuesday.

dark. Next. New England Patriots: 3 bold predictions for Week 5 meeting with Indianapolis Colts

Other players who did not participate were CB Eric Rowe and OT LaAdrian Waddle.  Amongst those listed as limited were DT Adam Butler, WR Josh Gordon, TE Jacob Hollister, LB Elandon Roberts and DT Danny Shelton.

Hollister’s status will be interesting come Thursday night if the team does decide to save Rob Gronkowski for another game.

Home/New England Patriots