The Indianapolis Colts closed out the international games for 2023 with a pretty dire 10-6 win over the New England Patriots.
There was only one touchdown in the game, a Jonathan Taylor 1 yard run on the Colts opening drive, in a defensively obsessed game. A lot of that was down to good defence, and a lot was down to very poor offensive play…particularly from the Patriots starter Mac Jones.
Jones was yanked with 2:25 remaining in the game, and questions will have to be asked about his long-term future with the Patriots.
COLTS DEFENCE SEALS THE WIN
As much as the story will revolve around Mac Jones performance, it was the Colts defence that should get all the plaudits. Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley‘s unit took interceptions on the last two Patriots drives and didn’t allow the Patriots to score a touchdown all game.
Arguably the two interceptions were horrible throws. The first when Patriots start Mac Jones under threw a wide open Mike Gesicki by 10-yards. The second when Bailey Zappe, in for the horrible Mac Jones, threw a ball into double coverage of a receiver who wasn’t really there.
But don’t sleep on the Colts, they may not be great but they are always competitive in games, and at 5-5 are very much in the playoff hunt.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 14 | 21 |
| Passing 1st downs | 8 | 9 |
| Rushing 1st downs | 4 | 11 |
| 1st downs from penalties | 2 | 1 |
| 3rd down efficiency | 5-13 | 6-14 |
| 4th down efficiency | 2-2 | 1-1 |
| Total Plays | 54 | 68 |
| Total Yards | 264 | 340 |
| Total Drives | 10 | 10 |
| Yards per Play | 4.9 | 5.0 |
| Passing | 194 | 173 |
| Comp-Att | 18-28 | 18-27 |
| Yards per pass | 6.9 | 5.4 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 2 |
| Sacks-Yards Lost | 0-0 | 5-22 |
| Rushing | 70 | 167 |
| Rushing Attempts | 26 | 36 |
| Yards per rush | 2.7 | 4.6 |
| Red Zone (Made-Att) | 1-1 | 0-4 |
| Penalties | 4-34 | 5-34 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 2 |
| Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 0 | 0 |
| Possession | 25:35 | 34:25 |
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