PLAYER NOTES
–TE Rob Gronkowski did not practice Tuesday with an ankle injury. Head coach Bill Belichick faces an interesting decision because the Patriots can beat the Colts without Gronkowski. Thus, Belichick might consider giving Gronkowski the game off so he does not aggravate his injury. The Patriots want to make sure Gronkowski is ready to play against the Kansas City Chiefs, who are undefeated, a week from Sunday.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Julian Edelman. The Patriots are excited their workhouse receiver is back. Edelman, who was suspended four games because of performing enhancing drugs, arrived at Gillette Stadium Monday morning ready to work. Edelman has not played a real game in about 18 months since the Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl. Edelman had the miraculous catch against the Falcons that will be remembered in Patriots history.
Said quarterback Tom Brady, “We’ve played so much football together. I really have no doubt where he’s going to be at, what he’s capable of. He’s been a great player for our team. I think everyone’s excited to have him back, and anytime you add great players, it’s going to help what we’re doing. We all welcome him back and he’s excited, ready to go and hopefully he can go out and play great. Hopefully we can all go play great. We’re going to need it.”
GAME PLAN: Offensively, the Patriots will need to block Jabaal Sheard who can be force off the edge. The Patriots should have an easy time against a defense with a lot of young players. The Patriots should attempt to establish the running game early, which will prevent the Colts defense from just focusing on the pass. Quarterback Tom Brady should be able to find plenty of holes in this Colts defense that gave up 37 points to the Houston Texans.
Defensively, the Colts only hope to win is for Andrew Luck to play a great game. The defense should be able to confuse Luck enough to prevent this from happening. The Patriots will likely mix coverages to prevent Luck from getting comfortable.
QUOTE TO NOTE: Safety Devin McCourty on getting ready to play a game on a short week: “Coach Belichick tells us every week you got to fill up your gas tank every week and then empty it on game day.” As for what motivates McCourty to win Thursday night, he said, “To get the weekend off. Don’t tell my wife; she will probably find things (for me) to do.”
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Colts WR Ryan Grant vs. Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore, who played well against the Miami Dolphins after a so-so performance against the Detroit Lions, might have to take away the Colts best receiver with T.Y. Hilton not expected to play. Grant has 18 catches this season.
