The Patriots won last night, but it was painful. I think I have trouble watching away games, because the cheering of the crowd is the opposite of what I'm feeling, and I find that it really gets me down emotionally. I'm sure glad the players are able to turn all that off and focus on the game.
During the first half we had a lot of trouble stopping their running game, and it took me a while to notice that they had turned things around in the second half. After the game I looked at the statistics and found that the Colts had a total of 311 yards gained in the first half and 85 in the second half. So there was clearly a lot going on there in terms of the coaches responding to what was happening and making needed adjustments.
Most of the statistics were amazingly even between the two teams. Both teams had 3 drives ending in punts, 2 drives ending in interceptions, and 4 drives ending in scores. The main difference was that we had better red zone defense, so we were able to hold the Colts to 2 TD and 2 FG, while we got 3 TD and 1 FG.
But here are some more comparisons:
First Downs: Pats 21, Colts 23
Third Down Conversions: Pats 7/12, Colts 5/12
Total Net Yards: Pats 342, Colts 329
Total Plays: Pats 62, Colts 61
Average Gain per Offensive Play: Pats 5.5, Colts 5.4
Net Yards Rushing: Pats 105, Colts 119
Average Gain per Rushing Play: Pats 3.8, Colts 3.8
Net Yards Passing: Pats: 237, Colts 210
Times Sacked: Pats 2 for 18, Colts 3 for 15
Pass Completion/Att/Int: Pats 21-31-2, Colts 16-27-1
Average Gain Per Passing Play: Pats 7.0, Colts 7.0
Time of Possession: Pats 29:44, Colts 30:16
Not much to distinguish between them, is there?
On the other hand, there were the penalties. The Pats drew an amazing (for them) 10 penalties for 146 yards. Three of the big pass interference penalties were questionable, even in the eyes of the game announcers. I don't know what was going on there, but I know that they could easily have been called the other way, and really hurt us.
It will be interesting to see what happens when these two teams meet again, most likely in the AFC Championship game in Gillette Stadium. If we're lucky, it'll be snowing.