New England Patriots: 3 Standouts from Week 5 vs. Colts
The site was Foxborough as the New England Patriots hosted the Indianapolis Colts. Who stood out for Bill Belichick’s team in their 38-24 victory?
These 2-2 starts have become somewhat of a habit for head coach Bill Belichick and his club. But this one had a different feel to it. This season, the New England Patriots opened the season with a 27-20 home win over the Houston Texans. But they followed that victory with consecutive double-digit road losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars (31-20) and Detroit Lions (26-10).
Uh oh?
Of course, the reigning conference champions followed up those clunkers with a 38-7 rout of the previously-undefeated Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. And now the Indianapolis Colts were coming to town for a Thursday night tilt. It marked the return of Patriots’ wideout Julian Edelman, who would be seeing his first meaningful action since Super Bowl LI.
On the game’s first possession, the productive pass-catcher was targeted three times and caught each throw for a total of 28 yards. He also returned the Indianapolis Colts’ first punt of the evening for 15 yards.
NFL Grades: First quarter report cards. light. Must Read
But this evening would wind up belonging to Tom Brady and running back James White. In the first half, both players crossed the goal line, New England gained an impressive 248 total yards and Belichick’s club owned a 24-3 lead at intermission.
When it was all said and done, the Pats held off a brief Indy rally, tacked on a few more touchdowns and eventually came away with a 38-24 win. So who were the three stars for Bill Belichick’s club in this prime time victory?