This past Sunday, the 18th of January, 2015, we got to see an exciting AFC Title game. The 12-4 New England Patriots routed the 11-5 Indianapolis Colts, 45-7. Pats QB Tom Brady claimed his 6th trip to the Super Bowl and his 20th career playoff win. Also, this was the Patriots Coach Belichick‘s 21st win in postseason play as this win broke his tie with former Cowboys coach Tom Landry and tied Dolphins Don Shula for coaches having the most Super Bowl appearances.
The statistics in this game pretty much coincide with the scoreboard with the New England Patriots having 28-1st downs in the game on 76 total plays that were good for 397 total offensive yards, with 220 passing yards on 23 of 35 attempts, and 177 total rushing yards on 40 carries with 1 interception while possessing the ball for 37:49 minute of the game.
The Indianapolis Colts had 17-1st dons on 52 offensive plays for some 209 total offensive yards, with 126 passing yards on 12 of 23 attempts, and 83 rushing yards on 19 carries, with 1 fumble lost and 1 interception.
The offensive leaders for Indianapolis were QB Luck who completed 12 of his 33 passes for 126 yards with 2 interceptions and no sacks. RB Herron & QB Luck combined for 14 carries for 69 yards and no touchdowns. Receivers Hilton & Fleener combined for 4 receptions for 66 yards and no touchdowns. Their 1 TD in the game was scored by RB Tipton on a 1 yard run in the 2nd quarter and their only score of the game.
Leading offensively for the Patriots was QB Brady who completed 23 of his 35 pass attempts for 226 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, while being sacked 1 time for a loss of 6 yards. RB Blount & QB Brady combined for 33 carries for 161 yards with Blount scoring 3 touchdowns. Receivers Edelman & Vereen combined for 12 receptions for 139 yards and no touchdowns.
The skeptics after this came said the blowout loss for the Titles in this AFC title game gives them proof that Indianapolis will not be going to a Super Bowl anytime soon, until the surround their young and talent QB Luck with far more talent than exists on that team at present.
Also for the Patriots, their QB Brady went past Broncos John Elway for Super Bowl games, and is now tied with Bill’s defensive lineman Mike Lodish for the most by any player. Late in the game with some 3:20 left in the game, the Patriots sent in QB Garoppolo for Brady and as he went to the sideline, he and coach Belichick embraced each other.
For the Colts QB Luck this AFC Title game turned out to be his worst game in his 3 year career with the Colts, and in his 4 games with New England in his career, the 4th rout, while losing all games by at least 3 touchdowns. After the game he stated, his play was not up to par so that he had an opportunity to beat a top team like New England.
So sports fans who bet on NFL at a sportsbook it looks like the Patriots in this game switched to their beast mode, and thus will be making the trip to Phoenix to play the Seahawks in the Super Bowl XLIX with the opening odds at Vegas having the game at a PK with the total at 48 ½.