The New England Patriots caught fire too late, as their comeback attempt fell short in their 27-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts Saturday night.
After two straight punts to open the ballgame, the Colts got into the end zone first with an eight-play drive, which was followed by a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown. Indianapolis grabbed a field goal after another New England punt, and that made it 17-0 in the second quarter.
The Patriots were finally getting going late in the first half, but Mac Jones was picked off on a pass intended for Hunter Henry by Darius Leonard. That would close out the half as New England likely showed it’s worst half of football of the season.
Jones would only start the second half by being picked off again by Bobby Okereke. The Colts capitalized on the turnover with a field goal, making it 20-0.
With eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, Jones wasn’t able to connect with Nelson Agholor on fourth down, but a missed field goal from Indy gave New England life.
The Pats used the jolt of energy from the missed field goal to get on the scoreboard, as Jones found Henry for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Then, out of nowhere, Devin McCourty picked off Carson Wentz and the Pats were alive. They weren’t able to capitalize and settled for a 25-yard field goal from Nick Folk with nine minutes left.
After a drive that did last a chunk of time, the Colts punted. The Pats then found their way into the end zone yet again, in the same fashion as last — Jones hooked up with Henry with just over two minutes left to make it a seven-point game.
But, instead of trying an onside kick, the Pats kicked off. Jonathan Taylor would then break free for a 67-yard touchdown to make it a 10-point game. The Patriots gave the ball up on downs and Wentz kneeled away the clock for Indy’s victory.
Fight breaks out in third quarter
Click here to read about the third-quarter scrum that saw two players ejected.