Lost in the blowout of this game was how the Patriots defense put in perhaps their best defensive effort of the season against Andrew Luck and the Colts. The only scoring drive the Colts put together was one that got two key penalties and a miraculous catch by TY Hilton. Otherwise it was shut down city and that bodes well for a team that will face another huge challenge in Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.
Here’s the drive chart:
Pats counter the Colts 12 personnel with their base nickel, and the same CB-WR matchups from the first game (24-87, 39-80, 25-13). Strong interior play to stop the run on first down, then get penetration with Collins on a second down blitz, set up a third-and-long.
Colts go to 3WR/2TE on third down, with an 87-10-80 bunch formation in the right slot. Hilton (25 cover) is iso X on the backside, while Allen (91 cover) is sent out far right.
The Pats bring in Ayers on the defensive right edge, shifting Chandler to the left edge with Nikovich sliding inside. Jones/Nink run a stunt, with Nink looping to the outside and getting just enough pressure to force an off throw from Luck. Defer, three-and-out, no better way to start a game.
After the botched punt return, the Colts are now in a 0-7 hole and put together a 12-play drive.
Revis slides to Moncrief on this drive but that’s because Wayne isn’t out there. Otherwise the matchups and personnel remain the same. Colts have some success early running the ball, but the Pats recover after they get 12 yards on an off-tackle on first down.
Third-and-3, Ayers comes on, Chandler slides inside. Malcolm Butler makes his first appearance on the outside with Revis out and does a good job on Moncrief, while they double Reggie Wayne with Ryan and Ayers, who dropped. Would’ve been a stop but BROWNER HOLDING!
Colts roll out their 3 TE set and the Pats counter with their regular 4-3 defense with Casillas at LB. Ninkovich tips the Luck pass to force a third down. So far Nink has been balling.
Colts convert a 3rd-and-5 to Fleener as he gets a free release and doesn’t have Browner on him for what seems like the first time this game. Collins tackles him immediately, but it’s a case where the pressure and coverage are just a moment too slow.
Two drops by Herron and an incomplete to Wayne and the Colts have to try a field goal that they miss. Targets going at Collins downfield and Logan Ryan are not surprising.
Another deep shot on Ryan covering Nicks is overthrown. Small window there, but the ball had to be on the money and it wasn’t. Colts generally sloppy as the Pats are rotating guys in and out and not giving anything away matchup wise.
I think part of what the Pats learned in games like Green Bay is that if your CB-WR matchups are predictable it’s easy to gameplan. Packers knew they were going after Ryan and had seemed to be ready to throw heavy to his one receiver all game. With a constant rotation from almost down-to-down, it makes the offense figure it out at the line. This should be a similar plan against Seattle.
Now comes the best drive of the day for the Colts. Let’s see what went right besides some penalty calls.
Colts go back to their 3-TE set then try to spread the field and have some success, coupled with Wilfork’s kinda dumb penalty.
Just an absolute sick throw-and-catch on Hilton’s 36 yarder. Pretty much unstoppable. Look at the coverage by Arrington.
Colts get another break on a third down with a hold on Collins. Which I couldn’t really see.
Another two broken-down play completions to Fleener sets the Colts up for their only touchdown of the game.
From here on out in the second half they don’t have another possession longer than 6 plays, for the most part in this early going, the tone was set as was the defensive gameplan.
Nothing was easy for the Colts, most of their big plays were either one-time things or came off penalties. Even some of the 10+ completions were on breakdowns where the guy just got open late after the coverage had held.
The physicality has been impressive to watch, the Patriots defense was dictating for the first time in the playoffs in a long time.
