INDIANAPOLIS -- The New England Patriots knew the Indianapolis Colts' intentions entering Saturday night’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium: take away the running game, put the ball in rookie quarterback Mac Jones’ hands, and see what he does with it.
Jones had arguably his worst half as a pro, as the Patriots dug themselves too big of a hole -- down 17 at halftime -- to recover in a 27-17 loss to the Colts.
This will be a question the Patriots now have to answer down the homestretch: When the running game isn’t churning out yards, and they fall behind early, can a Jones-led passing game bring them back?