Indianapolis 24, 
New England 27
| SCOUTING REPORT | ||
Do Pats still have Manning's number?Despite struggles in the past, the Colts are confident they can move the ball on the Patriots' defense with new emphasis on pass interference rules that greatly favor WR Marvin Harrison and the Colts' receivers. Meanwhile, the Patriots think they can design enough changes in schemes to continue to confuse QB Peyton Manning, who has struggled more against Bill Belichick-coached defenses than any others in the league. Something has to give.
Despite winning two Super Bowls in the past three seasons, the Patriots have been searching for offensive balance. They may have found it during the offseason in RB Corey Dillon. The Colts, on the other hand, did not address their big offseason need to improve their defense and, as a result, the Patriots' creative schemes and even more versatile personnel on offense could spell trouble. Manning is out for revenge after he felt slighted by officials in the AFC Championship Game, but will the trio of Manning, Harrison and RB Edgerrin James be able to generate enough offensive firepower to overcome Tom Brady's bunch? | ||
· Full Scouting Report 
|
| Matchup | |||||||
| W-L | PF | PA | HOME | ROAD | DIV | CONF | |
| IND | 12-4 | 522 | 351 | 7-1 | 5-3 | 5-1 | 8-4 |
| NWE | 14-2 | 437 | 260 | 8-0 | 6-2 | 5-1 | 10-2 |
| · Complete Standings | |||||||
| TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS | ||
| TEAM OFFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Total Yards | IND | |
| NWE | ||
| Yards Passing | IND | |
| NWE | ||
| Yards Rushing | IND | |
| NWE | ||
| TEAM DEFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Yards Allowed | IND | |
| NWE | ||
| Pass Yds Allowed | IND | |
| NWE | ||
| Rush Yds Allowed | IND | |
| NWE | ||
More From ESPN.com
- Bills sign Simmons to help injury-ridden line
- The Buffalo Bills began reinforcing their injury-depleted offensive line by signing veteran guard Kendall Simmons.
- Vikings-Cards Dec. 6 game flexed to nighttime
- The NFL has moved the Minnesota at Arizona game to the night slot on Dec. 6 under its flexible scheduling policy.
- 2009 NFL Power Rankings: Week 12
- Week 12 of the latest ESPN.com NFL Power Rankings reveals a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 4 teams.
- Patriots mailbag: Early thoughts on Pats-Saints
- This week's Pats mailbag takes an early look at Monday's game vs. the Saints.
ESPN Local
- Indianapolis Colts defense won't see wholesale changes
- The Indianapolis Colts brought in Larry Coyer to replace Ron Meeks as coordinator, not oversee an extensive renovation of the defense.
- Brackett: I'll be ready for Colts camp
- Gary Brackett anticipates being ready for the start of training camp as the Indianapolis Colts' veteran linebacker continues to recover from a broken right leg that forced him to miss the end of the 2008 season.
- Manning challenges youngsters to emerge as third receiver
- The Indianapolis Colts' roster lists nine receivers, so depth isn't a concern, though for the first time since 1995, the collection doesn't include Marvin Harrison. Proven depth is another matter entirely.
- Colts' Jackson, Hart recovering quickly
- Indianapolis Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson and running back Mike Hart labor on different sides of the ball, but they are recovering from similar injuries and chasing identical timetables.
- Brackett energized about Colts coaches
- Colts linebacker Gary Brackett honored Canterbury students Thursday for raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
- Rodney Harrison set to tackle NBC gig
- Rodney Harrison [ stats ] is ready to begin the next phase of his life. One of the most storied players in Patriots [ team stats ] history, Harrison will be introduced as the newest member of NBC's broadcast team during a conference call tomorrow, according to a source with knowledge of Harrison's plans.
- Jim Donaldson: It's okay to to be optimistic about the 2009 Pats' offense, but let's be realistic
- They are more than merely workouts, these sessions in which the Patriots are participating on the grass field in the southern shadow of Gillette Stadium.
- Vince Wilfork a no-show again
- Patriots [ team stats ] nose tackle Vince Wilfork [ stats ] is scheduled to appear at an event in support of his diabetes charity tomorrow.
- Patriots.com News Blitz
- Maroney talks about being healthy and Crable and Springs reflect on being back in action.
- Patriots re-sign punter Tom Malone
- The Patriots announced that they have re-signed punter Tom Malone today. Malone joins veteran Chris Hanson on the roster at the punter spot.
NFL Scores
Thursday, September 9th 2004
| Indianapolis | 24 | Final |
| New England | 27 |
Saturday, September 11th 2004
| Tennessee | 17 | Final |
| Miami | 7 |
Sunday, September 12th 2004
| Jacksonville | 13 | Final |
| Buffalo | 10 |
| Detroit | 20 | Final |
| Chicago | 16 |
| Baltimore | 3 | Final |
| Cleveland | 20 |
| Arizona | 10 | Final |
| St. Louis | 17 |
| Seattle | 21 | Final |
| New Orleans | 7 |
| Cincinnati | 24 | Final |
| NY Jets | 31 |
| Oakland | 21 | Final |
| Pittsburgh | 24 |
| Tampa Bay | 10 | Final |
| Washington | 16 |
| San Diego | 27 | Final |
| Houston | 20 |
| Dallas | 17 | Final |
| Minnesota | 35 |
| NY Giants | 17 | Final |
| Philadelphia | 31 |
| Atlanta | 21 | Final |
| San Francisco | 19 |
| Kansas City | 24 | Final |
| Denver | 34 |
Monday, September 13th 2004
| Green Bay | 24 | Final |
| Carolina | 14 |