Weekly Reactions-Divisional Round Edition

Jan 11, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half during the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots Make Blount Statement
Coming into this game LeGarrette Blount in his past 4 games had rushed for 354 yards and 4 touchdowns on 59 carries for an unbelievable average of 6.0 yards per carry all due in part to a magnificent 189-yard, 2 touchdown performance against the Buffalo Bills in the last game of the season. Considering that Blount had been scraped up from Tampa Bay, many weren’t expecting much from the 4-year man out of Oregon, however after an impressive showing in the preseason, Blount was able to surprise not only starter Stevan Ridley but also Bill Belichick and all of New England. Although Blount only rushed for 772 yards on the season, he made the best on those 772 yards, rushing for an average of 5.0 yards per carry on 153 carries, 6th most yards per carry in the NFL. After such success in the regular season, many still were questioning the abilities of Blount, seeing as he was still unproven in the playoffs. However, after Mother Nature decided to shed some tears (probably about the Colts’ playoff chances), Blount was given the ball (24 times in fact) and the opportunity to prove himself as more than just a one-week wonder. On 24 carries against the Indianapolis Colts Blount rushed for 166 yards and an amazing 4 touchdowns (6.9 yards per carry) as the Patriots went on to roll the Comeback Colts 43-22 in Foxborough. The key to Blount’s success was the outstanding play of the Patriot’s offensive line, which kept pass rushers such as Robert Mathis and Kelvin Sheppard relatively at bay all night. What Blount exhibited to us last Saturday night was his impeccable through-the-tackles running ability, as evidenced on his 3 touchdowns from under 5 yards and his 73-yard touchdown run where Blount was able to go inside, find a lane and then bounce outside for the deciding touchdown. Other than Blount, the New England Patriots played absolutely flawless football. Besides some blown coverage and deep bombs, this New England Patriots secondary actually played really well considering. One major stat was probably the deciding stat in the ball game for the Patriots: four interceptions. With the New England secondary playing as well as it did, it was no wonder that Andrew Luck was intercepted four times. Those four interceptions were the nail in the Colts coffin if you ask me. Had Luck not thrown those picks, perhaps the Colts would have had a chance to win this ball game. Problem was, even if Luck threw three interceptions like he did against the Chiefs, the Patriots offense was still too powerful to be suppressed. I guess what we can all take away from this game is that the Patriots have an added element that we have never really paid attention to; the running game. With the combination of Ridley and Vereen and especially LeGarrette Blount, the Patriots are that much more unpredictable. This next week against the Broncos, expect the Patriots to feature the run once again, perhaps not as much as they did against the Colts in the wind and rain, but expect a healthy dose. If Blount and Brady can work in perfect unison, combining the best of the running game with the best of the passing game, then look for Brady and the Patriots to be headed to New York to play for yet another Super Bowl Championship.