This was a game of two halves.  The Patriots dominated the first half as they led 21-6 at the break.  In the second half the Colts came out firing on all cylinders and outscored the Patriots 32-13 to win the game.  This was an odd game as two offensive linemen and a defensive lineman scored TDs.

The Patriots played well on offense, but not quite good enough to advance to the Super Bowl.  Tom Brady had a decent game as he completed 21 of 34 passes for 226 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception (on the last play of the game for the Patriots!)  Corey Dillon had a solid game for the Patriots as he carried the ball 7 times for 48 yards (6.9 ypc) with a TD run.  Kevin Faulk had a couple of good runs as he carried the ball 4 times for 27 yards (6.8 ypc).  Laurence Maroney had a poor game for the Pats as he carried the ball 8 times for 13 yards (1.6 avg).  He also fumbled a ball in the endzone that was recovered by starting guard Logan Mankins for a TD in the first quarter.  Brady spread the ball around pretty well so no one really had a big game catching the ball.  Ben Watson led the team with 5 catches for 48 yards.  Reche Caldwell pitched in with 4 grabs for 46 yards.  Jabar Gaffney caught 3 passes for 37 yards including an incredible TD catch.

LB Eric Alexander led the way for the Patriots defense with 11 tackles.  Asante Samuel had a huge play in the second quarter when he stepped in front of Marvin Harrison and picked off the Peyton Manning pass which he returned 39 yards for a TD.  That play gave the Patriots a 21-3 lead in the second quarter.  But the Colts were unstoppable in the second half.  The Colts wound up running the ball 30 times in the game for 125 yards (4.2 ypc).  The Colts also completed 27 of 47 passes for 330 net yards passing.

The Patriots played hard and have nothing to be ashamed about.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270121011