Luck, Colts hope to turn around recent fortunes against Patriots
Foxborough, Mass. — Beginning in the early 2000s and lasting for more than a decade, the matchups between Peyton Manning's Colts and Tom Brady's Patriots were must-watch matchups.
From their three AFC championship games, to the six regular-season MVP awards Brady and Manning captured during that span, quarterback play was the centerpiece of the rivalry.
Manning's departure from Colts and Andrew Luck's arrival in 2012 ushered in a new era in Indianapolis. But so far Luck hasn't been able to duplicate the success that his predecessor had against the Patriots.
In five starts against New England, Luck has yet to notch his first victory against Brady.
Luck is hoping to change his fortunes on Thursday night, when his comeback tour stops in New England.
"Certainly (in) my experience, we have come up on the short end and that's not fun," he said. "Obviously, we would like to turn that around. We would like to flip the story in a sense. But growing up I remember some of those great games, certainly that AFC championship game here. So yeah, I do think I have an appreciation for it."
But on a team that has had a significant change in the roster over the past two seasons, the rivalry hasn't been exactly the hottest topic around the locker room.
"A young roster, just not as much talk about it," said Colts coach Frank Reich, who saw some of those big games up close when he started his coaching career.
Perhaps that's because Indy has lost seven straight games in the series.
Things heated up again in February when Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels reneged on his verbal agreement with Colts general manager Chris Ballard to become Indianapolis' new head coach.
"The rivalry is back on," Ballard said as he left a news conference to announce the new search had begun.
But the Colts (1-3) have started slowly since Luck returned to action after more than a year away following shoulder surgery.
The Patriots (2-2) also had a modest start to the season, but may be turning a corner coming off a domi-
nating 38-7 win over the Miami Dolphins.
Thursday is expected to mark receiver Julian Edelman's season debut after he served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancers.
It's just in time for Brady, who has struggled at times this season without a dependable receiver to go to on third down.
Edelman, who has been with the Patriots since 2009, also set out the 2017 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the preseason.
"I think we've played so much football together, I really have no doubt where he's going to be at, what he's capable of," Brady said. "He's been a great player for our team. I think everyone's excited to have him back, and anytime you add great players, it's going to help what we're doing." Here are some things to watch for in today's game:
Gronk on the mend
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski left in the second half of New England's win over Miami after aggravating an ankle injury. He did not participate in the Patriots' first practice of the week Tuesday.
Brady has had trouble getting the ball in Gronk's hands over the past three games. He's had just 10 catches for 110 yards and no touchdowns over that span. Gronk has only one touchdown reception on the season.
Milestone watch
With a victory, Brady (225 wins) can tie Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (226) for the most wins by a player in NFL history. Brady enters the game three touchdowns shy of 500 regular-season touchdown passes. He trails only Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508).
Jets' Anderson won't be suspended by NFL for arrests
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson will not be suspended by the NFL for two arrests in an eight-month span. The league says Wednesday it completed its investigation into the incidents and the matter has been addressed, and no suspension is being issued. "I'm thankful and I'm glad that the world knows, and people know, like my fans, they don't have to worry," Anderson said after practice. "But I already knew. All along, I wasn't expecting that to happen. But, I'm just thankful that God blessed me to get through this situation and I'm still able to miss no time with my teammates." Anderson pleaded no contest in May to misdemeanor reckless driving in Sunrise, Florida, as part of a deal with prosecutors. The 25-year-old receiver had faced multiple charges, including a felony count of fleeing and eluding police from an incident in January, but those charges were previously dismissed. Anderson received six months of probation. Also previously dropped was a charge of resisting arrest at a music festival in Miami Beach in May 2017. "I'm a very strong-minded individual and even throughout when the situation happened and I went to jail and allegations and things like that, and stories, you know, I was prepared for it and knew what was going to come with it," Anderson said. "But I can't really get too caught up in perceptions and what people think, because I knew deep down what the truth was. I wouldn't say that I was ever worried about really being suspended. I didn't think that would ever happen." Anderson could still potentially be fined by the league or team, but he wouldn't confirm whether he was on the hook to write a hefty check. "I don't like to talk about my money," Anderson said with a smile. Anderson is the top receiver on the Jets' depth chart, and now the team doesn't have to be concerned with replacing him in the lineup because of a suspension. "I don't know if it's a relief or not, but I'm glad it happened," coach Todd Bowles said, "so we don't have to spend time working on other things and they didn't do it at this time so it's good for us." After setting career highs with 63 catches, 941 yards receiving and seven TDs, Anderson is off to a slow start while working to develop a rapport with rookie quarterback Sam Darnold in new coordinator Jeremy Bates' offense. Anderson, in his third year with the Jets, has eight catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. "We're 1-3," Anderson said. "I'm just ready for us to make that turn, you know? Since I've been a Jet, we haven't hit that pinnacle of where we're trying to get things. We're trying, but trying isn't good enough. We've got to get it done.
Crowell tries to flush away TD 'wipe' controversy
Isaiah Crowell entered the press room at the New York Jets' facility and promptly excused himself to use the bathroom. No, you can't make this stuff up. The running back, of course, has been in the headlines lately for his butt-wiping touchdown celebration at Cleveland on Sept. 20. It drew a penalty — as well as the ire of coach Todd Bowles — and resulted in a fine of $13,369 by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct. "I talked to Todd about what happened on the field and I told him it wouldn't happen again," Crowell said Wednesday. But Crowell also received an endorsement deal out of the whole mess, with pictures of him holding boxes of a toilet paper alternative for men splattered all over social media by the running back and the company Dude Wipes. It provided a bit of a questionable look — especially since Bowles had been so angered by the crude celebration. "As far as the endorsement deal, I don't want to get too much into that," Crowell said. "I didn't mean any disrespect to anybody. I've got a lot of respect for everybody that's in the building and, I mean, that's really how I feel." He repeated those sentiments when asked if he thought he was making light of the situation by accepting an endorsement deal as a result. "It won't happen again," Crowell said. "We talked about the on-field stuff and it won't happen again. We're moving forward after that." It all started when Crowell scored against the Browns, for whom he spent his first four NFL seasons before signing with the Jets in the offseason. After reaching the end zone, Crowell took the football, wiped it against his rear end and then fired it into the stands. Bowles spoke to Crowell to make it clear that he didn't approve of his player's actions. Crowell insisted after the game that he wasn't trying to send a message to the Browns. He was only having fun, he said, but felt bad about the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty his celebration drew. "The play itself won't happen again on our field," Bowles said. "I can't do anything about anybody's endorsement deals off the field, but on this team it won't happen." Bowles said he didn't consider benching Crowell at the time because he didn't see the celebration until watching the game film. When asked if he was disciplined by the team, Crowell said he was punished by the NFL with the fine — but wouldn't say whether he would appeal. "I mean, that's my business, right?" he said. Crowell, who leads the Jets with 171 yards rushing and four touchdowns, just wanted to flush away the chatter about his TD wipe. "I really don't want to keep talking about the endorsement deals," he said. "I want to keep my focus on the upcoming games, if I can."