The New England Patriots recorded nine sacks and also got a fourth quarter interception by Jonathan Jones that was returned for a touchdown to seal the game on Sunday afternoon, in rolling to a 26-3 win over the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
It was a very sloppy game offensively for both teams, as there was a total of 15 punts on the day including one that New England blocked that lead to the only offensive touchdown. Nick Folk had a pair of field goals for a 6-0 lead, before Indianapolis punter Matt Haack had his kick blocked by Jonathan Jones and the Patriots Brenden Schooler recovered at the Colts eight-yard line just over halfway through the second quarter. That would lead to a three yard touchdown pass from Mac Jones to Rhamondre Stevenson to extend to a 13-0 halftime lead. Indianapolis (3-5-1) got their only points of the game on their first possession of the third quarter on a 40 yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin, who had missed a 39 yarder just before the half. Two more kicks from Folk of 43 and 28 yards made it 19-3. New England wrapped up the victory when Jones grabbed a tipped pass and intercepted quarterback Sam Ehlinger, taking it 16 yards for a score with less than five minutes left.
Jones went 20-30 passing for 147 yards with one touchdown in the win. Stevenson had 15 carries for 60 yards and also three catches for one touchdown. Hunter Henry had four catches for 50 yards, and Jakobi Myers had five for 42 yards. Ja’Whuan Bentley and Josh Uche had five tackles each to lead the defense. Uche had three sacks, and Bentley had one. Jones had a big day with one tackle, a blocked punt, and the interception return for a score. Indianapolis was held to a total of 121 yards, led by Ehlinger who has taken over for injured starter Matt Ryan. Ehlinger went 15-29 for 103 yards with one interception. The Colts defense sacked Jones four times to help keep them within striking distance until the fourth quarter. The Patriots (5-4) now have a bye week in Week 10 and return to action on Sunday, November 20th when they host the New York Jets at 1 p.m.
