Hours Before Kickoff: Week 13

It was a convincing win over the Philadelphia Eagles that came surprisingly easier than expected.

Hope you enjoy re-runs for the rest of the season.

The combined record of the remaining opponents is 18-37. A third of those wins belong to the streaking Denver Broncos that won their last four games without a quarterback.

If the Patriots handle their business, there shouldn’t be a close game for the rest of the season. Try not to get bored by the second halves.

Watching New England play Bully might deliver some level of entertainment (especially against the hated and handicapped Colts and NFL darling QB Tim Tebow), but what do the Patriots get out of it?

For one, Belichick wants to build momentum in December to carry into the playoffs. Since 2001, New England finished the season with at least four wins eight times. Only in 2008 did they fail to reach the playoffs despite an 11-5 record.

When the Pats lost twice during the final stretch, New England either missed the playoffs (’02) or was one and done (’09).

Opposing records don’t matter. Looking at the four Super Bowl seasons, the remaining opponents combined for a losing record every time:

2001: 32-43
2003: 27-37
2004: 28-52
2007: 30-50

The power of momentum argument loses a little credibility in 2010. Against the toughest group of opponents (43-37 combined record), New England swept the five games, but lost in the divisional round. It is the only time a playoff-bound Patriots team finished undefeated through December but failed to reach the Super Bowl.

Individual analysis will be valuable as well. Though Indianapolis as a team is terrible, there are still several players that will test New England when viewed in one-on-one competitions.

Secondary play has been terrible this year. A particular weakness has been picking up the ball in mid-air. Yes the quarterbacks down the stretch are very suspect, but they still throw the ball. Improving awareness throughout the secondary now will prepare them for the better passers they will see in the playoffs.

The assignments in the secondary this week include receivers Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon. They will test the secondary, even if the passes aren’t on target.

Flip to the other side of the ball. DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are always taken seriously. But the one-on-one for the right tackle in particular, will draw extra interest as Nate Solder steps in for the injured Sebastian Vollmer.

Solder may have never seen speed rushers like Freeney or Mathis at any level. This will be a stiff challenge for the rookie to see if Solder can cancel his adversary out on passing downs and overwhelm them when New England runs.

Coaches will analyze the individual one-on-one competitions all over the field and evaluate how well the players do in a variety of situations. Performances will matter as coaches nitpick to make sure the players are at their best in time for the playoffs.

Five more blowouts isn’t a bad thing for the Patriots. A lot of bench players will see a lot of mop up duty as starters get additional rest to avoid fatigue. Players on the mend will be brought along slowly as they get re-acclimated to playing without risking further injury.

Execution will be stressed regardless of the quality of the opponent. All games on the schedule matter, especially now. They’re getting ready for the playoffs.

A few things I’ll be looking for:

Road Crew: Indy allows 150.6 rushing yards per game. Keep pounding away with the full stable in the backfield.

Or-love-sky? Or-loaf-ski?: Don’t take new starter QB Dan Orlovsky lightly. He doesn’t have a career win yet, but he is experienced and won’t be frozen like a deer in the headlights.

Salt and Vinegar: If Belichick can, how much will he rub in a drubbing of the long time rival? Will they double the Las Vegas betting line?

Trap game? Yeah, like a grown adult stepping into a mouse glue trap. Long time Patriots will relish putting the boots to the Colts in a major way.