COLTS (1-3) AT PATRIOTS (2-2)
Line: Patriots by 10; O/U: 50.5
Turns out, things are just fine in New England. After back-to-back bad road losses at Jacksonville and Detroit, many (including myself) started to question the Patriots. Then they did what they always do, answering anyone's doubts with a 38-7 beatdown against Miami on Sunday. Now, they get Julian Edelman back from his suspension and are primed for two wins in five days. Just like that, 1-2 to 3-2.
This game is at New England. On a Thursday. At night. And against the Colts. Tom Brady's numbers for those categories are staggering: 109-19 home record, 10-2 on Thursdays (with 25 TDs to 3 INTs), 43-19 in prime time and 10-3 against Indianapolis.
It's uncertain whether Brady will have Rob Gronkowski, who injured his ankle on Sunday. But with Edelman back (he missed all of 2017 with a knee injury) and new addition Josh Gordon to go with a bevy of running backs, Brady will be fine. He should have a field day against a Colts defense that played five quarters in an overtime loss to Houston on Sunday. New England barely broke a sweat against Miami whereas Indy played a hard-fought 70 minutes. On a short week. That matters.
This is a big number, and there aren't usually a lot of blowouts on Thursday Night Football (the margin of victories this season have been 6, 11, 4 and 7). Still, the Pats will cover comfortably. Brady welcomes Edelman back with a TD pass as the Pats roll by 14-plus.
The pick: Patriots
