Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on Sunday powered past the Indianapolis Colts 34-27 to improve their perfect record this season in a “Deflategate” grudge match.
Superstar quarterback Brady, stung by charges he played a role in New England’s use of underinflated footballs in their AFC Championship win over Indianapolis in January, insisted all week that the clash was not about revenge.
However, Brady was dialed in, throwing two of his three touchdown passes in the second half as the Patriots broke open a tight game with help from a failed trick play attempted by the Colts and their own unflappable calm.
Photo: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY
Trailing 21-20 at halftime, Brady piloted a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to open the third quarter, capping it with a 25-yard scoring pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Late in the third, the Colts tried to trick the Patriots with an unusual formation on a fourth-and-three punt, but New England adjusted and regained the ball on the Colts’ 35-yard line — promptly marching to a quick touchdown for a 34-21 lead.
It was the second special teams’ mistake by the Colts to set up a Patriots touchdown — after New England capitalized on a failed onside kick in the first half.
The errors overshadowed a solid performance from Colts quarterback Andrew Luck in his first start since hurting his shoulder in a win at Tennessee on Sept. 27.
Luck completed 30 of 50 passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions, trimming the final margin with a late touchdown before the Patriots ran out the clock. Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins blocked the extra-point attempt after leaping over players on the line of scrimmage.
Brady completed 23 of 37 passes for 312 yards. His first interception of the season was returned for a touchdown, but the Patriots improved to 5-0 — their 183 points scored this season breaking the club record for most through the first five games, 182 set in 2007.
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