The Indianapolis Colts take on the New England Patriots today feeling good about their odds. The Colts have won their last four regular season games against playoff teams, having beaten the San Francisco 49ers 27-7, the Seattle Seahawks 34-38, the Denver Broncos 39-33 and the Kansas City Chiefs 23-7. But in beating the Chiefs last week a second time in their AFC wildcard game, the Colts allowed more than 500 yards, making some wonder whether the Colts still have it in them to beat Tom Brady in Gillette Stadium. You’ll find out today if you watch Colts vs Patriots game free online AFC Divisional playoff live streaming using a few different services.
Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts last met Brady and the New England Patriots in November 2012. That game, which was played in Gillette Stadium like today’s Patriots game, resulted in a 54-29 New England rout, the worst loss of Luck’s career.
In that game, the Colts led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter, converted 57% of their third-down attempts and saw Luck deliver the fifth 300-yard passing game of his career. Yet Luck turned the ball over four times, and two of his three interceptions were returned for touchdowns. Against the Patriots, in Gillette Stadium and in today’s AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs, that’s not a place the Colts want to find themselves today.
Luck has matured since then, with his late-game heroics now rivaling those of Brady, his counterpart in today’s AFC Divisional playoff game. Last week against the Chiefs, Luck led the Colts back from a 28-point deficit to grind out a 45-44 win. Luck finished 29-45 in that second-biggest comeback in playoff history, throwing for 443 yards and four touchdowns, including his last 64-yard TD to T.Y Hilton with less than five minutes to go.
But the Patriots and Tom Brady still may have the edge as you watch Colts vs Patriots game free online AFC Divisional playoff live streaming. Last week the Colts defense allowed 44 points, and the Patriots put up 54 points on the Colts the last time these two teams met. What’s more, Brady’s starting today’s Patriots game at home after starting every regular-season game this year for the first time in his 14-year career. In short, he’s feeling it.
With that said, Brady has been sacked 40 times this season, and the Colts’ Robert Mathis led the NFL in sacks this year with 19.5 sacks total. Mathis also became the 30th player in NFL history to record at least 100 sacks in his career and set the Colts’ single-season and career sack records. If Mathis can get past New England’s offensive line, the pass rush could be the difference maker in today’s Colts game.
The Patriots’ home record since 2002 is 91-18, by far the best mark in the NFL during the past 12 years. This season the Patriots were 8-0 at Gillette Stadium during the regular season, and half of those wins were by three or fewer points. If today’s Patriots game is close, expect the Colts to rely heavily on the NFL’s oldest player, Adam Vinatieri, who was 35-of-40 for field goals this season, including four from at least 50 yards.
The Colts’ and Patriots’ running games may also see some attention in today’s AFC divisional playoff game. With the Patriots surely trying to take Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton out of the mix, Trent Richardson and Donald Brown will be vital for the Colts rushing game. The Patriots, meanwhile, will rely on LeGarrette Blount, who’s only averaging six yards per carry over the past six games but must love what he saw the Colts give up last week to a Chiefs team playing without running back Jamaal Charles.
Kickoff for today’s Colts Patriots game is scheduled for 8:15 EST / 5:15 PST on CBS. You can watch Colts vs Patriots game free online AFC Divisional playoff live streaming on DirecTV’s website if you have the NFL Sunday Ticket with Max package. Watching the online live streaming version like that requires a subscription, but anyone who has a subscription can watch any NFL playoff game free online, including today’s AFC Divisional playoff game between the the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots. CBS Sports is also live streaming all of the AFC playoff games they’re broadcasting, including a live stream you can watch free of today’s Colts Patriots game.
