BSJ Game Report: Colts 27, Patriots 17 - New England repeatedly shoots self in foot

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Colts in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Patriots fall behind 20-0, can't quite get over the hump: After forcing the Colts to go three-and-out on their first possession and driving into Indianapolis on their opening salvo, the Patriots basically went backward into the third quarter to fall behind the Colts 20-0. You name it, the Patriots did it wrong. But late in the third quarter, the Patriots started to put things together and got the game to 20-17 north of the two-minute warning. A quick stop, and the Patriots would have had enough time for a game-tying field goal, or game-winning score. But then Jonathan Taylor eluded Dont'a Hightower on 2nd and 8 for a 67-yard touchdown, and the Patriots left Indy with a disappointing loss that dropped them to the 3rd seed in the AFC. Next week's Buffalo game now is once again for the AFC East lead.

"Obviously didn't do anything well enough to win," said Bill Belichick. "Too many penalties, fumbles, interceptions. Over 200 yards rushing, played from behind the whole game ... so nothing really good enough. Have to coach and play better next game. Disappointing but you move on."

Too many miscues:  Here is a quickie list of the major New England blunders.

First quarter

• Shaq Mason illegally downfield, followed by delay of game to make it 2nd and 19 and Mac Jones is sacked on third down.
• Colts go 78 yards without throwing for opening TD.
• Jake Bailey punt blocked and recovered for TD to make to 14-0.
• Brandon Bolden -2 rush on 3rd and 2.
• 2nd and 1 at Indy 13, Jonnu Smith false start. Jones intercepted two plays later to take at least 3 points off board.
• Jones intercepted by Ben Okereke on opening drive of second half.
• Brandon King offsides on missed field goal attempt. Colts make the kick after the penalty and led 20-0.

Then, the Patriots started to play. But we're not done.

• Jakobi Meyers holding on a play that would have given Pats first and goal at Indy 1.
• Isaiah Wynn false start to make it 1st and 23 from Colts 25. Patriots overcome it and score.
• 3rd and goal at 2, Mike Onwenu false start to induce Bill Belichick to kick a field goal instead of going for touchdown on 4th down.

"Obviously we didn't do anything well. I just don't know how else to say it," Belichick said, in his usual post-loss chippiness.

TURNING POINT

The Mike Onwenu false start with 9:08 left. It was 3rd and goal from the Indianapolis 2. Score a touchdown there on third or fourth down, and it's a one-score game at 20-14 with a ton of time left and the Colts get really, really tight. You have a ton of avenues to win the game. But that penalty, coupled with Bill Belichick's decision to kick the field goal instead of risking the TD or possibly pinning the Colts deep, left the Patriots a very narrow path to victory. It almost happened, but the odds were against them without the TD on that trip.

SECOND GUESS

Belichick's decision to kick the field goal. Yes, it very nearly worked out. However, part of the reason it didn't was because, on a night when they were far from perfect, they had to close with a perfect final 9 minutes. They couldn't do it. 

THREE UP

TE Hunter Henry: Monster game in a big game with six catches on eight targets for 77 yards and both touchdowns. 

CB JC Jackson: Had three passes defensed and nearly had at least one interception. Carson Wentz was just 5 of 12 for 57 yards and Jackson caused three of his seven incompletions.

S Adrian Phillips: Was a big reason why the run defense got much better in the second half as he led the team with seven total tackles, including a tackle for a loss.

THREE DOWN

Patriots special teams: Bailey had a punt blocked for the third time this season. No other team has allowed more than one. Plus, Brandon King had a crucial offsides that cost the team three points and Gunner Olszewski fumbled (luckily out of bounds). The Patriots pay all that money and use roster spots and play that kind of special teams in a big spot?

QB Mac Jones: The kid definitely showed fight and something in the second half bringing the team back (kind of). But he also threw two huge interceptions and both of them looked like a rookie threw them.

LT Isaiah Wynn: He was a disaster just about all night with at least one sack allowed and he tackled Rhamondre Stevenson at one point.

INJURIES

LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (ankle) left in the first quarter and did not return,

WR Nelson Agholor (head) left in the third quarter and appeared to leave for concussion testing.

DT Carl Davis was hurt in the fourth quarter.

TOP PLAYS

THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Remember how I felt about the Titans after losing to the Patriots? I feel the same way about the Patriots in a possible rematch with the Colts. The Patriots are not going to play this bad if they face off again in the postseason. Do I think that the Colts are more talented than the Patriots? Possibly. But I feel better about Jones in a rematch than Wentz, who Frank Reich was wisely scared to death of. And the Patriots will execute better.

That being said, don't think this was the Colts' best shot, either. Because the score was so lopsided, the Colts were able to get really conservative on offense so the second half does not truly reflect who they can be. They also just missed on some big plays. Plus, the Colts losing WR Michael Pittman to ejection with Kyle Dugger was definitely a bad trade in a game Wentz threw 12 times. Pittman was the much bigger loss. In any event, sign me up for a rematch.

I don't want to hear any nonsense about the bye week killing the Patriots' momentum. Uh, you do realize the Colts were coming off a bye as well, right? They were also playing pretty good ball, and got off to a much better start than the Patriots on the same rest. So you can't use it as an excuse. The Patriots were not ready to play, they practiced like crap all week according to the players ... the Patriots have only themselves to blame now that the AFC East is wide open again. Don't make excuses for them.