Patriots vs Colts Week 9 storylines, Nick Folk praised and injury updates
Following an important AFC East win against the New York Jets, the New England Patriots return to Foxborough Sunday to take on an Indianapolis Colts team that is coming off a loss to the Washington Commanders.
While this is no longer the rivalry Tom Brady and Peyton Manning made one of the top matchups in the league during their prime years, there are still some storylines to watch in this Week 9 battle.
At the quarterback position, all eyes will still be on Mac Jones who showed some promise in the team’s 22-17 victory over the Jets, but still struggled with turnovers and got bailed out by a roughing the passer penalty that negated a Jets’ pick-six in that game. Some of those struggles can be blamed on the offensive line, but still Jones made some questionable decisions on the field.
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones looking to find his groove vs Colts
Can Mac Jones get himself back in the good graces of Patriots fans at Gillette? If so, he will have to do it against a good Colts defense that has some playmakers on defense who would make life difficult for Jones. Starting with Yannick Ngakoue and DeForest Bucker upfront, the Patriots offensive line will be challenged.
Linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who had an interception off Jones in last year’s matchup is a playmaker to watch in the middle of the field and the Colts secondary is solid with two former Patriots cornerbacks leading the way in Kenny Moore II and Stephon Gilmore.
Former Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore returns to Foxborough
Speaking of Gilmore, this will be the first time he has played in Foxborough since being dealt to the Carolina Panthers at the beginning of the 2021 NFL season.
Gilmore did get to face his former team but returning to Gillette Stadium will be special. Hopefully, he doesn’t get the best of his former team. This is where Mac Jones will need to improve on his vision and decision-making on the field. All Patriots fans know Gilmore will make him pay if he makes any kind of mistake throwing the ball.
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While Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shied away from questions regarding Gilmore and his play with the Colts, he knows how dangerous a player he can be. It will be interesting to see who he is matched up against and how the Patriots’ offense will attach a fast and aggressive Colts’ defense. This could be a game where Rhamondre Stevenson and the tight ends dominate.
Patriots kicker Nick Folk named AFC special teams player of the week
A player who could turn out to be the difference in this New England Patriots vs Indianapolis Colts battle is kicker Nick Folk who was named AFC special teams player of the week for kicking 5 field goals against the New York Jets.
Those makes from 31, 42, 49, 45 and 52 yards ended up being the difference in the team’s 22-17 victory over the Jets. While the team would rather touchdowns instead of some of those field goals, Folk is has become a reliable offensive weapon for the Patriots.
Add consistent and clutch to Folk’s resume since joining the Patriots and you could put him in the category of Adam Vinatieri and Stephen Gostkowski right Bill?
"“His performance. Yeah, Nick’s really good,” Belichick said Wednesday during his press conference. “He’s really, probably of all the kickers, probably the smartest. They were all smart, but I mean really just professional, totally understanding everything about kicking. Adam and Stephen are probably a little more talented but just in terms of fundamentals, the execution, and the consistency Nick’s really good.”"
That sums it up.
Patriots injury updates: Andrews, Parker, Barmore and Dugger
There are some important players on the injured list to watch as we get closer to the Week 9 battle between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.
Starting with center David Andrews who did not play against the Jets due to a concussion, he did not participate on Wednesday along with running back Damien Harris, safety Devin McCourty and wide receiver DeVante Parker.
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There were a few key defensive players who were limited participants. That includes Christian Barmore, Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Josh Uche and Deatich Wise. Both Barmore and Dugger are players to keep an eye on as both young defensive players could be key factors against a Colts team that obviously wants to run the ball against the Patriots.
Both players will likely be a game time decision.