What Colts’ Playoffs Win Over Texans Means For Patriots

We will know a lot more about the New England Patriots’ divisional-round opponent Sunday afternoon. The Patriots are ready for the big game, and their tough season was enough for the team to get more strength for the playoffs.

The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Houston Texans 21-7 on Saturday in the wild-card round of the 2018 NFL playoffs. This is sending them to Kansas City next Saturday, and the team will be playing the Chiefs. That will be a game worth watching. The winner of Sunday’s game between the No. 4 seed Baltimore Ravens and No. 5 seed Los Angeles Chargers will be played at 1:05 PM ET, and that team will play at Gillette Stadium next Sunday. The Patriots are 8-0 at home this season.

Brady’s team last faced the Ravens in 2016, and won the game 30-23 in Foxboro. The Patriots and Ravens played four games in the playoffs during Brady’s time with Belichick.

The 10-6 Ravens have a dominating defense and that will stir things up. The team’s throwback offense earned them a playoff appearance since 2014.

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg engaged run-heavy game plans since Lamar Jackson played in Week 11. He led the league in rushing yards and attempts in the final seven weeks of the season and went 6-1 during that time.

The most recent Patriots-Chargers game was played in Week 8 of the 2017 season. It ended up with a 21-13 home win for the Patriots. The teams did not meet in the playoffs since the 2007 AFC Championship Game.

The Chargers have a 12-4 second this season, but the Ravens managed to defeat them a couple of weeks ago, earning a 22-10 road win in Week 16. Quarterback Phillip Rivers struggled in the game, but the Chargers’ offense is actually formidable. They have Keenan Allen, Melvin Gordon, Tyrell Williams, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler and Antonio Gates.