When the Patriots take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday night, it will have been two weeks since their last game. New England, under Bill Belichick, has been successful more often than not coming out of a bye week, with the added time to prepare for the next opponent.
This week, though, they face a Colts team in Indianapolis that also had a bye last week, putting them on equal footing in terms of preparation time.
Check out photos from access to players and coaches during Week 11 as the Patriots prepare to play the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night.
"Exactly. Some weeks," noted safety/co-captain Devin McCourty, "a bye week is a big deal, but with two teams coming off a bye week, we're both coming in the same way: extra time to prepare, extra practice time. I'm sure they'll be just as ready to go as we are."
The Patriots practiced just once last week, then had five days off before getting back on the field this past Tuesday. Any rust to knock off this week?
"I hope not," cornerback Kyle Arrington laughged. "We take a very professional attitude to what we do. We came back focused and prepared. We're enthusiastic, ready to go."
"I guess we'll see when we get out there Sunday," added McCourty. "We practiced hard all week. We had some good days in here, going at each other in practice. I hope there's no rust, but we won't know till Sunday night. Our coaching staff always does a good job trying to get us ready, even after a bye week. I think we'll be in pretty good shape.
"Just having an awareness that we want to have a good start. Just coming out and being on it. On the road, the crowd will be going crazy. We'll just have to bring our own energy, be physical, and play fast."
Practice Report
Linebacker Akeem Ayers was not on the injury report this week, but neither was he on the field for Friday's outdoor practice. His locker appeared not to have been disturbed today, which is usually an indication that a player either was not at the facility or left early.
DE Chandler Jones (hip) was the only other active roster Patriot not taking part in the final session of Colts Week. Meanwhile, IR/designated-to-return DL Sealver Siliga has yet to begin practicing, either. He is eligible to return to game action as early as next Sunday versus Detroit.
