One of the best games to watch in Week 6 is the Sunday Night Football grudge matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots. This Deflategate-fueled rematch of the 2014 AFC Championship features many excellent players, but none as formidable as the unstoppable Rob Gronkowski.
Speaking about the proposed plan of attack to attempt cover Gronk, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano admits the tight end is “a matchup nightmare.”
“It’s all hands on deck so to speak. He is a matchup nightmare. You’ve got to pick and choose and try to change up.”
Colts safety Mike Adams weighed in on the massive difference of physique between he and Gronk.
“I’m every bit of 5-11 and he’s 6-9. He’s going to get his catches. You can only limit him. He’s a great player. There’s not much you can do with a guy of his size, his stature.”
Adams is exaggerating a tad because Gronkowski is listed at 6-foot-6. Although, he might as well be 7-foot-9 with how difficult he is to cover. In addition to his size, the man can move and has worked tirelessly to craft an outstanding set of hands.
It’s not new news to the Colts that they must attempt some way to limit Gronk’s production if they want a fair shot a winning on Sunday evening. Gronkowski has already scored four touchdowns in five games and is averaging four receptions per game.
Along with trying to shut down Gronk, the Colts will have their hands full trying to ruffle Tom Brady, who has yet to throw an interception this season. Brady is completing 72.5 percent of his passes, and the Colts so far have allowed the fourth-most passing yards of the season. Unfortunately, this is the perfect atmosphere for Brady and Gronk, along with the other Patriots’ receivers, to flourish and put the screws to a Colts team that accused them of cheating.
Indy’s “all hands on deck” approach isn’t going to cut it this week, and the Colts look doomed to lose in Week 6.