After 30 minutes of football, the New England Patriots surprisingly trail the Indianapolis Colts, 21-20.
The game has been a back and forth affair with big plays on both sides. The Colts marched down the field on the opening drive by running the ball effectively and making quick reads and throws. They scored a touchdown on a fourth and one end zone fade from Andrew Luck to Donte Moncrief.
New England would respond with a four minute, 10 play, 80 yard drive in which Danny Amendola made three key catches. The Patriots capped the drive with a Tom Brady to Julian Edelman score in which Brady maneuvered beautifully around pressure in the pocket and delivered a 12-yard bullet to Edelman.
However, Edelman would injure his finger on that play, and it may have led to some issues catching the football. After the Patriots tacked on another three points, Edelman had an on-target Brady throw bounce off his hands into the arms of Colts safety Mike Adams, who easily ran it into the audience. It was a key blunder and turning point in the game, coming from a normally reliable player in Edelman.
After the pick-six, the Patriots would regain the lead after LeGarrette Blount returned to his Colt-killing form and ripped off a 38 yard touchdown.
However, the Colts would answer with another touchdown of their own, with Andrew Luck finding T.Y. Hilton on his own nifty pocket play. The score gave the Colts a four point lead, but the Patriots would bring it within one after a second Gostkowski field goal in the final seconds of the half.
On the injury front, Marcus Cannon left the game after the opening drive with a right toe injury and has yet to return. Sebastian Vollmer has switched from right tackle to left tackle to take his place, with Cameron Fleming coming in at right tackle.
After deferring the ball to begin the game, the Patriots will get the ball to begin the second half.