Joint practice sessions offer a crucial early-season look into scheme execution, structural adjustments, and individual matchups. Analyzing tape from the joint practice session between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots reveals five distinct coaching observations on both sides of the ball.
1. Patriots Interior D-Line Struggled Against Zone Run Schemes
The Patriots defensive front faced significant challenges defending inside the tackles when tasked with halting inside zone and midzone run concepts.
Leverage & Reach: Colts offensive linemen consistently controlled the line of scrimmage by winning first contact and getting lateral reach on the defensive tackles.
Cutback Lanes: Secondary defenders were forced to trigger downhill earlier than desired due to the interior defensive line being pushed off the line of scrimmage, opening up clear back-side cutback lanes for Jonathan Taylor and the Colts backs.
2. Colts Unlocked Secondary with Boots and Naked Rollouts
Indianapolis exploited the Patriots’ coverages by systematically moving the pocket using bootlegs and naked passing concepts.
Lining Up Linebackers: Flowing the run fake in one direction the Patriots linebackers to bite hard on play-action, leaving massive vacated space behind them.
Creating Easy Throwing Lanes: By getting the quarterback outside the pocket with high-low options, the Colts took away the Patriots’ pass rush while putting stress on boundary coverage.
3. Patriots Offense Found Success Over the Middle
The Patriots passing attack prioritized intermediate concepts aimed directly at the heart of the Colts defense.
Attacking Linebacker Off-Coverage: Mid-level crossers, dig routes, and sit concepts consistently found soft spots in the Colts’ zone coverages.
Rhythm Passing: Quick-release throws between the numbers allowed the Patriots offense to stay ahead of the chains and minimize pressure.
4. Strong Patriots Pass Protection Against Colts D-Line Stunts
Defensively, the Colts attempted to manufacture pressure using line stunts and interior twists, but the New England offensive line handled them cleanly. The tackles, Will Campbell and Caleb Lomu more than held their own against DeForest Buckner and company.
Communication & passing off: The guards and tackles displayed disciplined communication, picking up crossing defensive linemen smoothly without giving up edge integrity or interior pockets.
Anchor & Base: The Patriots offensive line maintained a firm base, preventing penetration and giving the quarterback a clean pocket.
5. Patriots Isolated Big Receivers vs. Colts Secondary (A.J. Brown vs. Sauce Gardner)
New England was intentional about creating 1-on-1 boundary opportunities for their wideouts against Indianapolis cornerbacks.
Physical Mismatches: The marquee matchup saw A.J. Brown isolated against Sauce Gardner, where Brown used his size and route-running strength to gain leverage and separation on the perimeter.
Formational Manipulation: By using condensed splits and single-receiver sides, the Patriots forced the Colts into pure man coverage looks with minimal safety help over the top.
Final Thoughts: Overall, it was a good day of work for the Patriots. The offense had plenty of highlights, specifically tight end Eli Rairdon who looks like he will be a good match up for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in 12 personnel.
Defensively, the Patriots clearly missed Christian Barmore and Christian Gonzalez in group and team periods. The defense had plenty to review after practice and plenty to correct.