This Week

The New England Patriots host Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on Saturday January 11 at 8:15 p.m. in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game.

The Colts		–	The Patriots
Regular Season	11-5		Regular Season	12-4
Road Record	5-3		Home Record	8-0
Playoff Teams	4-2		Playoff Teams	2-2
AFC	9-3		AFC	9-3

Pete Morelli is the referee for the game.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from Sports Betting via Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 7.5.  The over/under is 53.

My Prediction is Patriots 31, Colts, 20.  Give the points (Patriots) and take the under.  I am 5-11 against the spread and 9 of 16 on calling the over/under in 2013.

Tickets

The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out. It is the 216th consecutive sell out dating back to the 1994 season opener.  The record includes preseason, regular season and playoff games.

Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster.  You can check the availability here.

After market tickets are available through the Official Patriots Ticket Exchange where season ticket holders can sell their unused seats to fans on the season ticket waiting list.

Getting to the Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Foxboro make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Foxboro MA.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking information and map and a Gillette Stadium seating chart.

Tailgating

Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com.  There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack.  I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good. 

And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages.  With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks.  You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.

Whether it’s at the game, a bar or a friend’s house moderation is always the key to a great time.  Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver.  Remember drive sober or get pulled over.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

CBS in televising the game nationally Greg Gumbel will do play by play while Dan Dierdorf will provide the game analysis and Allie LaForce will work the sidelines.  You can look here for your local affiliate.

CBS is also streaming the game via your computer, laptop or tablet.  Cell phone streaming rights belong to Verizon.

There is no DirecTV designation.

Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules; flex scheduling and commercial breaks.

Radio

The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Bob Socci handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 5 p.m. on the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.

The Patriots Radio Network game call is available on Sirius Channel 86, XM Channel 86 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.

The Colts Radio Network will carry the game with Bob Lamey calling the play-by-play and former Colts QB Jim Sorgi doing the analysis from their flagship stations, WFNI-AM 1070 and WLHK-FM 107.5.

Their game call is available on Sirius Channel 225, XM Channel 92 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 813.

The game will be carried nationally by Westwood One with Ian Eagle doing play by play, Trent Green provides the game analysis and Tony Boselli covers the sidelines.

Their game call is available on Sirius Channel 88, XM Channel 88 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 88.

Patriots All Access

Patriots All-Access features behind the scenes looks, interviews and breakdowns with head coach Bill Belichick and in depth features on the team.  It’s hosted by Steve Burton of WBZ-TV (Boston) and airs weekly in most New England television markets.

• Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
• Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
• Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
• Portland ME on WMTW Saturday at 5 a.m.
• Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
• Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
• Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.

You can also watch it anytime on the team website in the media section.

Last Week

Patriots had a bye after closing the season with a home win over the Bills, 34-20.  The Colts with the second largest post season comeback in NFL history beat the Chiefs 45-44 at home in the AFC Wild Card Game.

History

• This is the 74th meeting between the clubs since the 1970 merger.
• At one time the teams were rivals in the AFC East and faced each other twice a year from 1970-2001.
• Patriots hold a 45-28 series advantage in the regular season and 2-1 in the playoffs for an overall series record of 47-29.
• Patriots have won the last three games all were played at Gillette Stadium.
• They last played each other in 2012 and the Patriots won 59-24.
• The teams last played against each other in the post season in the 2006 AFC Championship game won by the Colts, 38-34 in Indianapolis.

Patriots Team Notes

Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2013 Patriots Schedule/Results

The Patriots overall franchise record is 437-373-9.  They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances.  Overall they are 24-17 in the post season.

They last appeared in the playoffs in 2012 when they beat Houston in the AFC Divisional Round 41-28 and lost to Baltimore 28-13 in the AFC Championship Game.

Patriots are 10-6 in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs.  They are 7-2 at home and 5-1 at Gillette Stadium.

Date               Opponent                  W/L    Score

01/13/13       Houston Texans        W       41-28

01/14/12       Denver Broncos        W       45-10

01/16/11       New York Jets          L        21-28

01/12/08       Jacksonville             W       31-20

01/14/07       at San Diego            W       24-21

01/14/06       at Denver                L        13-27

01/16/05       Indianapolis             W       20-3

01/10/04       Tennessee               W       17-14

01/19/02       Oakland                  W       16-13 (OT)

01/03/98       at Pittsburgh            L        6-7

01/05/97       Pittsburgh                W       28-3

01/04/87       at Denver                L        17-22

01/05/86       at LA Raiders           W       27-20

12/31/78       Houston                  L        14-31

12/18/76       at Oakland               L        21-24

12/28/63       at Buffalo                W       26-8

They have won the division 11 times and the conference 5 times since 2000.

The Patriots are the five time defending AFC East Champions (2009-13).

New England is first team to have earned 9 first round byes and first AFC team with 4 consecutive byes in the playoffs since this playoff format was established in 1990.

They are 10-3 in playoff games at Gillette Stadium they are 14-4 at home overall.

They have a home winning percentage in the postseason of .778 that is second best behind Oakland’s .792 among teams with at least 10 home playoff games

Patriots have 5th best postseason winning percentage (.585) for teams with 15 or more games played.

With a win Sunday they will tie the Oakland Raiders for the 5th most playoff wins in NFL history with 25.

New England is the only NFL team to finish .500 or better in each of the last 13 seasons.  Green Bay is 2nd with 5 seasons and then Cincinnati and San Francisco have 3 seasons in a row.

They have 11 consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins.

They are the first team in the free agency era (1993) to win more than half their games in a 13-season span.

In 2013 the Patriots have played in 7 games decided by 3 points or less and are 6-1.

Since the 1970 merger the Patriots are 4th all time with 28 winning seasons behind Dallas and Miami (29 each) and Pittsburgh (31).

New England was 3-2 against common opponents with Indianapolis in 2013 (Miami, Denver, Houston and Cincinnati).

With a win Patriots will be first team since 2001-04 Eagles to advance to three consecutive conference championship games.

Patriots lead the AFC in rushing TD’s in 2013 with 19 that was tied for 2nd in the NFL.

They were second in NFL in fewest penalties (69) and 3rd in fewest penalty yards (625) behind Indianapolis.

Their 444 points was third highest in NFL in 2013 and 5th highest in franchise history.

New England is PLUS 9 in turnover differential good for 8th in the NFL.  They have 17 INT’s and have recovered 12 fumbles while they have thrown 11 INT’s and lost 9 fumbles.

The Patriots are 3rd in points scored averaging 27.8 points per game and are 10th in fewest points allowed with 21.1 points per game.

This is the 20th season of Patriots ownership by the Kraft family.  Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:

• Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
• Have the most regular season wins, 217.
• Have the most wins including playoffs, 237.
• Have the most conference titles, 6.
• Have the most division titles, 13.
• Have the most playoff wins, 20
• Have played the most playoff games, 32.
• Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 15.
• The fewest head coaches within the division, 3.
• Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.

From 1960 to 1993 the New England/Boston Patriots won a total of 225 games.

The Patriots have 21 players who have never played in the postseason. 

Patriots Staff Notes

This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Indianapolis Colts.

Bill Belichick coached teams are 13-8 Vs the Colts.  He is 11-6 with New England and 2-2 with Cleveland including playoffs.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 199-105 in his 19th NFL season as a head coach.  He is 163-61 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland.  He is 18-8 in the playoffs, 17-7 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season.  When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 217-113.

Belichick’s 18 postseason wins are good for 3rd all-time behind Don Shula (19) and Tom Landry (20).

He has won 5 conference titles; he needs one more to tied Don Shula’s record of 6.

Belichick is one of just four coaches to win three Super Bowls, joining Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3) and Bill Walsh (3).  Those men are all in the Hall of Fame.

He is the only coach in NFL history to win three championship titles in four seasons.

No coach either as the head coach or an assistant has appeared in more Super Bowls than Belichick who has been to 8 (five as a head coach).

Belichick started his coaching career in 1975 with the Colts on Ted Marchibroda’s staff.
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach Dante Scarnecchia was the Colts offensive line coach in 1990-91.

Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels was interviewed on January 5th by the Cleveland Browns for their head coaching vacancy.  On January 8th he withdrew his name for consideration.

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

• LT: Solder
• LG: Mankins
• C: Wendell
• RG: Connolly
• RT: Cannon
• TE: Hoomanawanui
• WR: Edelman
• WR: Amendola
• QB: Brady
• RB: Blount
• FB: Develin

Defense:

• DE: Ninkovich
• DT: Siliga
• DT: Chr. Jones
• DE: Cha. Jones
• LB: Collins
• LB: Fletcher
• LB: Hightower
• LCB: Ryan
• RCB: Talib
• S: Gregory
• S: Harmon

Patriots Players Notes

Tom Brady Notes:

• In his 14th NFL season he is 10-4 vs. the Colts in his career including playoffs.  He is 83-13 at home in his career in the regular season and 11-3 in the post season for a combined record of 94-16.

• Is making his 25th career playoff start, most in NFL history.

• He made his first NFL start vs. Indianapolis on September 30, 2001 and won 44-13 at Foxboro Stadium.

• Overall he is 148-43 as a starting QB and is 17-7 in the playoffs for an overall record of 165-50.  He is a 9 time Pro Bowl QB; 3 time All-Pro selection; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP.  He is also listed as the 21^st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.

• Has 7 comeback wins in the post season including three in Super Bowls.  Two of those Super Bowl comebacks were completed with 1:21 or less left on the clock.

• His 17 post season wins are the most by any quarterback.

• His three Super Bowl wins ties him with Troy Aikman for second behind Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana who have four each.

• Along with Bart Starr, Eli Manning and Bradshaw, his two Super Bowl MVP awards are second only to Joe Montana who has three.

• Is tied for the second most 300-yard games in the postseason with Kurt Warner and Montana with 6. Peyton Manning has the most, 8.

• All-time NFL leader in post season completions (553) and passing yards (5,949).

• Third all-time in post season TD passes (42) behind Brett Favre (44) and Montana (45).

• Has a TD pass thrown in 18 consecutive postseason games.

• Shares the record for most TD passes in a playoff game (6) with Steve Young and Daryle Lamonica.

Danny Amendola notes:

• Will play in his second career playoff game, first as a Patriot.

• Finished season with 54 catches for 633 yards and 2 TD’s.

• Set career high for yards per catch (11.7) and longest catch (57-yards).

• Has 3 100-yard games as a Patriot at Miami Week 15, vs. Pittsburgh in Week 9 and in Week 1 at Buffalo.

• Missed 4 games in 2014 due to injuries (groin, 3 and concussion, 1).

Julian Edelman notes:

• Will play in his 6th playoff game.  Missed the post season last year due to a foot injury that put him on IR after Week 12.

• Had his first 100-catch, 1000-yard season in his career and just the third Patriot behind Troy Brown and Wes Welker.

• His previous career high was 37 receptions for 357 yards in 2009.

• Has 4 of his 5 career 100-yard games this year, at Miami Week 15, at Houston Week 13, Week 12 vs. Denver and Week 4 at Atlanta.

• Set career high with 13 catches and 139-yards at Miami Week 15.

• Lead the team with 105 catches for 1,056 yards. He also had 6 TD catches.  He had just 21 catches in 2012. 

• He was 5th in NFL in catches for 2013.

• Has had 9 games with 7 or more catches in 2013.

Stevan Ridley notes:

• Will play in his 4th career playoff game.

• Had his 4th 2-TD game of his career against Pittsburgh in Week 9.

• Second season in a row with 4 fumbles

• Leads the team with 773 rushing yards in 14 games

• Lead team in TD’s with 7 with LeGarrette Blount.

• Has 14 runs of 20 or more yards in his career most for franchise since 2000.

Shane Vereen notes:

• Will play in his 3rd career playoff game.

• Set franchise record with receptions (12) and receiving yards (153) by a running back in a single-game Week 14 vs. Cleveland.

• Became just fourth NFL running back to post 150 receiving yards in a single-game in the last 10 seasons.

• Finished with 47 catches for 417 yards and 3 TD’s and 205 yards rushing with 1 TD.

LeGarrette Blount notes:     

• Will play in his first career playoff game.

• Was AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 17.

• Had first 2 TD game as a Patriot week 16 at Baltimore.  It was the third of his career.    

• Set franchise record with 334 total yards Week 17 vs. Buffalo (189 rushing; 145 KOR)

• Set career high with 189 rushing yards Week 17 vs. Buffalo. Previous high was 164 vs. Seattle Week 15 in 2010 while with Tampa Bay.

• Lead team in TD’s with 7 (career high) with Stevan Ridley.

• Second in rushing yards with 772, one yard behind Ridley.

Stephen Gostkowski notes:

• Will play in his 13th career playoff game.

• Needs two more postseason field goals to become 11th player with 20 or more.

• Needs 10 more postseason points to become 7th player ever with 100 or more.

• Has not missed an extra point since Week 17 2006 at Tennessee in his rookie season.  He has made 360 consecutive extra points.  He is 399 for 400 in his career for 99.8%.

• The 360 XPA converted in a row is fourth longest streak in NFL history.

• He is also 36 for 36 in extra points in the post season.

• Lead NFL in scoring with 158 points.

• Set franchise record for points in a season and field goals made (38) tied franchise record for field goal attempts (41).

• He is the most accurate kicker by percentage in team history at 86.3% (208 0f 241).

• Has scored at least 1 point in 107 consecutive games a franchise record.

• He is 3rd in team history in points with 1,023 trailing only Gino Cappelletti (1,130) and Adam Vinatieri (1,158).

• Has team record of 12 career field goals of 50+ yards.

• Has made 16 field goals of 40 or more yards in 2013, a franchise record.

• Has three game winning field goals in 2013 Week 1 at Buffalo, Week 12 vs. Denver and Week 13 at Houston he now has 4 regular season game winners in his career.

• The 54-yard field goal against New Orleans set a new career long.

Rob Ninkovich notes:

• Will play in his 7th career playoff game.

• In 5 seasons with New England has only missed one game.

• Forced 2 fumbles this season and tied for team lead with DB Kyle Arrington and S Devin McCourty.

• Has 12 fumble recoveries since 2010 the most in the NFL in that span.

• Lead the team with 2 fumble recoveries.

• Tied for 2nd on team in sacks with 8 and QB hits with 18.

• Had back to back 8 sack seasons.

• Had sacks in three consecutive games vs. Miami, vs. Pittsburgh and at Carolina.

Joe Vellano notes:

• Will play in his first playoff game.

• Rookie made his first NFL start Week 5 at Cincinnati.

• Had 49 tackles (28 solo), 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 pass defensed and 1 fumble recovery as a rookie.

Chris Jones notes:

• Will play in his first playoff game.

• Had 56 tackles, 6 sacks and 8 QB hits as a rookie.

• Was second in NFL for sacks by a rookie.

• Made first NFL start Week 6 vs. New Orleans and had 3 tackles.

• Has three games with multiple sacks in 2013.

Brandon Spikes notes:

• Placed on IR prior to Divisional Game with Indianapolis with knee injury.

• 2013 was first season in which he played all 16 games.

• 2nd on the team in tackles made with 134 (78 solo).

• He has 6 games with 10 plus tackles in 2013.

• Had team high 22 tackles against Cincinnati.  It was a career high for Spikes.

• Broke his career high of 128 tackles in Week 16 at Baltimore.

• Has back-to-back 100 tackle seasons.

Chandler Jones notes:

• Will play in his 3rd career playoff game.

• Scored his first NFL TD Week 16 at Baltimore on a fumble recovery.

• Leads the team in sacks with 11.5 and QB hits with 21.

• Was 7th in sacks in NFL and had 4th highest total in franchise history.

• First player since Chris Slade to start career with two 5+ sack seasons.

• Blocked his first NFL field goal attempt Week 8 vs. Miami.

Logan Ryan notes:

• Will play in his first NFL playoff game.

• Had his first NFL 2 INT game week 16 at Baltimore.

• Led NFL rookies, the team and the AFC with 5 INT’s. Was 3rd overall in NFL.

• Had his first NFL INT at New York in Week 7 and returned it 79-yards for a touchdown.  He was the 11th Patriots player to return his first INT for a TD.

• Forced a fumble on his first NFL sack Week 8 vs. Miami.

Aqib Talib notes:

• Will play in his 3rd career playoff game.

• Named to his first Pro Bowl team.

• Lead the team with 13 passes defensed.

• Second in INT’s with 4.

• Had career high 4 passes defensed Week 4 at Atlanta including one in end zone to seal the win.

Sealver Siliga notes:

• Will play in his first NFL playoff game.

• Had 9 tackles (career high), 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit Week 17 vs. Buffalo.

• Had his first NFL sack at Miami in Week 15.

• Had 3 sacks and 3 QB hits as a rookie.

Kyle Arrington notes:

• Will play in his 8th career playoff game.

• Had first two sacks of his NFL career at Miami in Week 15 and at Baltimore Week 16.

• Recovered the onside kick Week 14 vs. Cleveland.  Was first Patriots since 1994 (AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Cleveland) to recover an onside kick.

• 2nd on team in passes defensed with 11.

• Forced two fumbles Week 1 at Buffalo.

There are only two players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3) and Wilfork (on IR) (1).

NFL announced that three Patriots were named Second Team All-Pro’s they are:

• G Logan Mankins
• CB Aqib Talib
• S Devin McCourty

Roster moves this week:

• Re-signed WR Austin Collie to 53-man roster.
• Placed WR Josh Boyce on IR.
• Placed LB Brandon Spikes on IR.
• Signed WR Reggie Dunn to practice squad.
• Promoted LB Ja’Gared Davis to 53-man roster.

Patriots named to Pro Bowl for 2013 season:

• QB Tom Brady 9th selection
• G Logan Mankins 6th selection
• ST Matthew Slater 3rd selection
• CB Aqib Talib 1st selection

Patriots team captains for 2013:

• QB Tom Brady
• G Logan Mankins
• S Devin McCourty
• DE Rob Ninkovich
• WR Matthew Slater (special teams)
• DT Vince Wilfork (IR)
• LB Jerod Mayo (IR)

Former Colts on the Patriots:

• WR Austin Collie

Players with New England roots:

• WR Mark Harrison (IR) – Stratford CT
• TE Matthew Mulligan – Enfield ME

Players with Indiana roots:

• DT Chris Jones – Brownsburg IN
• OL Braxton Cave (PS) – Mishawaka IN

Players from New England based colleges and universities:

• RB James Develin – Brown
• TE Matthew Mulligan – Maine

Players from Indiana based colleges and universities:

• LB Rob Ninkovich – Purdue
• WR Greg Orton (PS) – Purdue
• OL Braxton Cave (PS) – Notre Dame

The Patriots have 6 retired numbers:

• 20 – Gino Cappelletti
• 40 – Mike Haynes
• 73 – John Hannah
• 78 – Bruce Armstrong
• 79 – Jim Lee Hunt
• 89 – Bob Dee

Colts Team Notes

Here is the Colts roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2013 Colts Schedule/Results

Indianapolis’ all-time record is 475-420-7 they are 20-21 in the post season with their last post season appearance coming in 2012 when they lost to Baltimore in the AFC Wild Card game.

They last played in a Super Bowl in 2009 when they lost to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV, 31-17. They have won 2 Super Bowl titles (IV, XLI) in four appearances. 

As the Baltimore Colts they won three NFL Championships in 1958, 1959 and 1968.

The Colts are 1-0 in the 2013 NFL Playoffs after beating the Kansas City Chiefs at home last Saturday 45-44 with the second largest comeback in NFL post season history (28 points).

Colts are 7-9 in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs.  They are 4-4 as the road team.

Date               Opponent                  W/L    Score

01/16/10       Baltimore                W       20-3

01/13/08       San Diego               L        24-28

01/13/07       @ Baltimore             W       15-6

01/15/06       Pittsburgh                L        18-21

01/16/05       @ New England        L        3-20

01/11/04       @ Kansas City          W       38-31

01/16/00       Tennessee               L        16-19

01/07/96       @ Kansas City          W       10-7

01/09/88       @ Cleveland             L        21-38

12/24/77       Oakland                  L        31-37 (OT)

12/19/76       Pittsburgh                L        14-40

12/27/75       @ Pittsburgh            L        10-28

12/26/71       @ Cleveland             W       20-3

12/26/70       Cincinnati                W       17-0

12/22/68       Minnesota                W       24-14

12/26/65       @ Green Bay           L        10-13

This is the Colts 30th season in Indianapolis. Since moving for the 1984 season they are 253-226, have 18 winning seasons, 16 playoff appearances and 13 10-win seasons.

Since 2002 the Colts have won 8 AFC South division titles.

The Colts have never won a playoff game in Foxboro they are 0-2.  They lost the Patriots in the 2003 AFC Championship Game, 24-14 and in the 2004 AFC Divisional Game, 20-3.

Indianapolis is 2-6 at Gillette Stadium including playoffs. They last won at the Razor in 2006, 27-20 when WR Marvin Harrison caught two TD passes from Peyton Manning and former Patriots K Adam Vinatieri kicked two field goals.

Overall the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts are 12-27 as the road team against the Patriots.  They are 5-21 as Indianapolis and 7-6 as Baltimore.

The Colts were 3-2 against common opponents with the Patriots in 2013 (Miami, Denver, Houston and Cincinnati).

Had 536 net yards in AFC Wild Card Game win over Kansas City setting a franchise record.

The 28-point comeback against the Chiefs was the second largest comeback in NFL postseason history only the Bills 32-point comeback over the Houston Oilers in January 1993 was greater.

Had fewest penalties in NFL with 66 for 576 yards.

Indianapolis was 6-1 in one possession games in 2013.

Team set franchise record for fewest turnovers in a season with 14.

Indianapolis is PLUS 13 in turnover differential good for 3rd in the NFL.  They have  15 INT’s and have recovered 12 fumbles while they have thrown 10 INT’s and lost 4 fumbles.

They had 4 giveaways (3 INT’s and 1 fumble) and 1 takeaway (fumble) in the AFC Wild Card Game vs. Kansas City.

The Colts are 14th in points scored averaging 24.2 points per game and are 9th in fewest points allowed with 21.0 points per game.

Colts Staff Notes

Hear what Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano had to say to the New England media about the match up.

Chuck Pagano is in his 2nd year as head coach of the Colts and he has a record of 22-10 in the regular season and he is 1-1 in the post season for an overall record of 23-11.

Pagano is 0-1 vs. New England in his career.

Pagano missed 12 weeks of the 2012 season due to a leukemia diagnosis.  Then Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians took over in his absence and led the team to a 9-3 record in Pagano’s absence.  Elias Sports Bureau credits the teams record to Pagano and not Arians, who has since become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Defensive Line Coach Gary Emanuel is a native of New London CT and earned his bachelor’s degree from Plymouth State in Plymouth NH.

Quarterbacks Coach Clyde Christensen spent two seasons as a position coach and offensive coordinator at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester from 1989-90.

Offensive Line Coach Joe Gilbert held assistant coaching positions at Northeastern University for three seasons (1991-93) and the University of Maine for six seasons (1994-99).

Colts Possible Starters

Offense:

• LT: Costanzo
• LG: Thornton
• C: Satele
• RG: Linkenbach
• RT: Cherilus
• TE: Fleenor
• WR: Hilton
• WR: Branch
• WR: Heyward-Bey
• QB: Luck
• RB: D. Brown

Defense:

• DE: Redding
• NT: Franklin
• DT: Jean Francois
• LB: Walden
• LB: Sheppard
• LB: Freeman
• LB: Mathis
• LCB: Toler
• RCB: Davis
• S: Bethea
• S: Landry

Colts Players Notes

Andrew Luck notes: 

• Is 22-10 in his 2nd NFL season he is 1-1 in the playoffs for an overall record of 23-11.

• He was the first overall pick in the first round choice out of Stanford University in the 2012 NFL Draft.

• He is 0-1 vs. New England in his career.

• This is his 3rd career playoff game.

• Got his first playoff win last week vs. Kansas City in the AFC Wild Card Game.

• Threw for 443 yards and 4 TD’s in AFC Wild Card Game both were 2nd most in Colt’s postseason history.

• The 443 yards passing was fifth highest in NFL postseason history.

• Has back-to-back seasons with 23 TD passes.

• Cut his INT’s from 18 in 2012 to just 9 in 2013.

• Has 11 game winning drives in just two seasons (10 in regular season, 1 post season).

T.Y. Hilton notes:

• This is his 3rd career playoff game.

• Set Colts receiving record with 224-yards and 2 TD’s vs. Kansas City in AFC Wild Card Game.

• Had 13 catches in AFC Wild Card Game, 2nd most in NFL postseason history.

• With 74 yards receiving with move into 5th place in franchise history in receiving yards.

• Has 10 100-yard games in his first two seasons.

• Has 132 catches and 1,944 receiving yards in his first two seasons.

• Has 5 career TD’s of 50-yards or more.

• Had 6 catches for 100-yards and 2 TD’s vs. New England in 2012.

Adam Vinatieri notes:

• This is his 17th career postseason game.

• AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 11 and Week 17.

• Has 205 postseason points most in NFL history.

• 49 postseason field goals most in NFL history.

• 58 PAT’s are tied for most in NFL post season history with David Akers.

• Has scored in 26 consecutive postseason games, most in NFL history.

• Has won 4 Super Bowls, two with last drive field goals. One with no time remaining and the other with 4 seconds left.

• Two-time Pro Bowl selection  (2002 and 2004 with New England).

• Only kicker in NFL history with field goals in four Super Bowls and only kicker to play in five Super Bowls.

• His 2,006 career points are 5th all-time in NFL history.

• Made career high 35 field goals in 2013.

Robert Mathis notes:

• This is his 18th career postseason game.

• Second in Colts history in postseason sacks with 5.5

• Franchise leader in sacks with 111.0

• Set team record with 19.5 sacks this season.

• Has had 27 career multi-sack games.

• Has five seasons with 10-sacks or more.

• Has five career sacks vs. New England.

• Named to his 6th consecutive Pro Bowl.

• Named first team 2013 All-Pro

• Deacon Jones Award winner for 2013.

Antoine Bethea notes:

• This is his 13th career postseason game.

• Has 4 postseason INT’s 3rd most in franchise history.

• Needs 1 INT to tie for most in Colts postseason history.

• Has started every game he has played in his career (123).

• Has started 96 consecutive games since returning from ACL surgery.

• Has 6 consecutive 100-tackle seasons.

Donald Brown notes:

• This is his 5th career playoff game.

• Needs just 61 yards for 8th place and 91 yards for 7th most rushing yards in franchise history.

• Finished 2013 with 5.3 yards per carry second highest season total in franchise history.

Darius Butler notes:

• Played college ball at UConn

• Drafted by Patriots in 2nd round of 2009 NFL Draft.

• Played for New England from 2009-2010.

• Led Colts with 4 INT’s in 2013.

• Was 8th on team in tackles with 52 (43 solo).

Colts team captains for 2013 are:

• WR Reggie Wayne (IR)
• QB Andrew Luck
• DE Cory Redding
• LB Robert Mathis
• P Pat McAfee

Players who attended New England based universities or colleges:

• RB Donald Brown – UConn
• G Donald Thomas (IR) – UConn
• CB Darius Butler – UConn
• LB Scott Lutrus (IR) – UConn
• QB Matt Hasselbeck – Boston College
• T Gosder Cherilus – Boston College
• OL Anthony Castonzo – Boston College

Players with New England roots:

• G Donald Thomas (IR) – West Haven CT
• QB Matt Hasselbeck – Westwood MA
• LB Bjoern Werner – Salisbury CT
• LB Scott Lutrus (IR) – Brookfield CT
• T Gosder Cherilus – Somerville MA

Former Patriots with the Colts:

• K Adam Vinatieri
• CB Darius Butler
• G Donald Thomas
• S Sergio Brown
• WR Deion Branch

The Colts have 8 retired numbers:

• 18 – Peyton Manning
• 19 – Johnny Unitas
• 22 – Buddy Young
• 24 – Lenny Moore
• 70 – Art Donovan
• 77 – Jim Parker
• 82 – Raymond Berry
• 89 – Gino Marchetti

Next Week

Up next: With a win will play at Denver or host San Diego

Location: Denver CO or Foxboro MA

Date/Time: Sunday January 19, 2014 at TBA

TV Network: CBS