On Thursday night, the Indianapolis Colts (0-0) travel to the New England Patriots (0-0) at Gillette Stadium to kick off preseason against their former longtime arch nemesis.
The game begins at 7:30 PM EST and can be viewed on FOX59 locally, as well as listened to on 93.5 and 107.5 The Fan and 97.1 Hank FM. Rick Venturi will be handling local analyst duties for those watching, while Matt Taylor (play-by-play) and Charles Arbuckle (analyst) will be handling the radio call.
While tensions between the two franchises have since softened since their glory “Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady” yester-years—and what was once a bitter rivalry, as evidenced by the willingness to host joint training camp practice together this week, the preseason opener will still be an important initial measuring stick for both sides.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. has been given the start in this one, while Riley Leonard will come in relief of Richardson Sr. during the second half of action. A strong performance by either could help their cause for earning the QB2 job behind starting quarterback Daniel Jones—who will be resting all of preseason.
It appears unlikely that Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will start in this one either, which means primary backup quarterback Tommy DeVito will garner the start in his absence. Other Patriots starters are not reportedly expected to play either.
For the Colts, the positions I’ll be looking at are the ones that remain the most undecided, particularly at QB2, WR2 and RB2 on offense, as well as at DE2, LBs1-2, S2, and PK.
QB2: Anthony Richarson Sr. vs. Riley Leonard
RB: DJ Giddens vs. Seth McGowan
WR2: Ashton Dulin vs. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
LBs: Akeem Davis-Gaither, CJ Allen, Austin Ajiake, Jaylon Carlies
DE2: Arden Key vs. Jaylahn Tuimoloau
Safety2: AJ Haulcy vs. Hunter Wohler
PK: Blake Grupe vs. Spencer Shrader