It does make me slightly uncomfortable that everyone just assumes the Patriots will roll right over the Colts this weekend. Maybe they will, but I always hold our reservations that if Tom Brady is off and the Pats O makes a couple turnovers we could have ourselves a real game.
Assuming that doesn’t happen here are a few areas that the Pats stand to get some good experience that will serve them well when they face teams in January and (Hoodie-willing) February.
Nate Solder vs. Robert Mathis: This is one area that should be a great test for young Nate and should be a solid building block in getting him ready for the playoffs. Solder has been one of the unsung heroes of the 2011 season with Sebastian Vollmer battling injuries for most of the year. Solder was thrown right into the fire week one and has held up extremely well for someone we thought was raw and would need developmental time. Facing an experienced pass rusher with Mathis’ speed will be great experience for Solder.
Covering Reggie Wayne et al: Dan Orlovsky hopefully won’t be throwing the tight window darts that Peyton Manning is known for, but covering savvy veteran wide receivers like Wayne and Garcon will be good experience for our much maligned pass defense. Going against legitimate 1 and 1A wide receivers is what this defense needs to see more of, because they’re certainly going to see plenty of it in the playoffs.
Jump start the running attack: The Patriots ground game hasn’t been as dominating in recent weeks as they should be. Playing against the small, fast defenders of the Colts defense is a prime opportunity to get back to the mauling ways our o-line will need for late season weather games and playoff game clock killin’.