Colts, Patriots Six Days from Fourth Playoff Match
colts.com

INDIANAPOLIS – When the Colts and Patriots failed to meet in the regular season, it was the first time the league series had not been contested since 2002.

That matter changed when San Diego’s victory Sunday put Indianapolis in New England for a divisional match Saturday at 8:15 p.m.

This means a streak remains intact – the Colts and Patriots have met every season in some form since 2003.

This is the fourth time the franchises have met in the playoffs, with the 2004 season’s affair being in this round, while those in 2003 and 2006 determined the conference champion. The victors in all three of those games eventually won the Super Bowl.

“It kind of (feels like a division game),” said Antoine Bethea last year. “It seems like we play them every year. Both teams respect each other. It’s always a fun game.”

As hosts, the Patriots beat Indianapolis last November, 59-24, in a game where many faces had departed the rivalry.

The Patriots and Colts lost in last year’s playoffs, and now Chuck Pagano and Bill Belichick match wits again in the playoffs.

“This is a team that’s well-coached, that’s had a real good season,” said Belichick of the Colts. “They beat some of the best teams in the league – in both the AFC and NFC. They’ve just been impressive.”

Belichick beat Baltimore in the 2012 AFC Championship game, 23-20, and days later Pagano moved from Ravens defensive coordinator to the Colts’ sidelines. Under Pagano, Belichick sees a different Colts defense compared to the past.

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