Patriots winning streak snapped with 27-17 loss to Colts
The Patriots’ seven-game winnings streak came to a screeching halt in Indianapolis Saturday night, as they fell to the Indianapolis Colts 27-17. Trailing nearly wire-to-wire, the Patriots resembled their September selves more than the team that had taken the NFL by storm the last two months.
It was a sloppy game for the Patriots situationally. They turned the ball over twice, had two more fumbles they recovered themselves, had a punt blocked, and committed eight penalties to the Colts’ one.
Starting on defense, the Patriots forced a three-and-out on the Colts first drive. The Patriots offense then picked up a couple of first downs, but a delay of game penalty and sack had them punting the ball back.
The Colts responded with an offense reminiscent of what the Patriots did in Buffalo two weeks ago. Their ensuing eight-play drive consisted of seven runs and a pop pass to Nyheim Hines for the games first touchdown, putting Indianapolis up 7-0.
Things quickly went from bad to worse for the Patriots. A miscue on second down saw Isaiah Wynn knock Rhamondre Stevenson down in the backfield on second down, then Jakobi Meyers dropped a pass on third. Indianapolis then blocked Jake Bailey’s punt, returning it for a touchdown to take a 14-0 lead into the first quarter break.
Another quick drive by the Patriots gave the ball right back to the Colts, who took almost nine minutes off the clock. The 14-play drive ended in a chip shot field goal, extending Indy’s lead to 17-0 with 4:31 to play in the half.
With the half coming to a close, it looked like the Patriots were starting to build momentum. They moved the ball inside the 15 yard line, but Mac Jones threw a third down interception to Darius Leonard. That sent the Patriots into halftime down 17-0 – the first time they failed to score in the first half in 99 games.
The second half opened the same way the first ended, with Mac Jones throwing an interception on third down. Tasked with defending a short field, the Patriots’ defense came up with a three-and-out stop, resulting in a 43-yard field goal that made it 20-0.
Forced into a 2nd & 20 on their next drive by an offensive holding penalty, the Patriots ended up turning the ball over on downs. That resulted in another Colts field goal attempt, which missed wide left.
It wasn’t until the first play of the fourth quarter that the Patriots got on the board. A nine-play, 61-yard drive was finished with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Henry, which made it a 20-7 game.
With time ticking down, the Patriots defense was in danger of snapping its nine-game turnover streak. Yet the takeaway came at an opportune time. Jamie Collins deflected a Carson Wentz pass over the middle, and Devin McCourty was able to make a diving interception.
Despite getting the ball down to the 1-yard line, a false start by Michael Onwenu pushed the Patriots back from the goal line. They ended up settling for a Nick Folk field goal, to cut the deficit to 20-10 with nine minutes to play.
The ensuing Patriots drive was saved by a 48-yard connection between Jones and N’Keal Harry on third down.Three plays later, Mac Jones found Hunter Henry in the end zone to get the Patriots within three, 20-17.
That would be the final noise made by the Patriots. Jonathan Taylor took the second down carry on the next drive 67 yards for the touchdown, putting the Colts up 27-17 and ending the game.
Jones finished the game 26-of-45 for 299 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Henry was his leading receiver with six catches for 77 yards, and he grabbed both scores.
The Patriots’ running game was limited, given they spent most of the game playing from behind and were without Damien Harris. Rhamondre Stevenson carried the ball 10 times for 36 yards, Brandon Bolden four times for three yards, and Kendrick Bourne twice for 19 yards.
Adrian Phillips led the Patriots with seven tackles. Devin McCourty recorded his third interception of the year, and Deatrich Wise picked up his third sack of the season. J.C. Jackson deflected three passes, and now leads the league with 20.
The loss drops the Patriots’ record to 9-5. They still maintain their lead in the division, but drop to the third seed in the AFC playoff picture. If the Tennessee Titans lose on Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers, they would regain the second spot.
Next week, the Patriots are back home for the first time in almost a month. They’ll host the Buffalo Bills, with the opportunity to clinch the AFC East with a win. Kickoff is at 1 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 10 a.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.