4 things to know about Patriots vs. Cardinals heading into Week 15 Mike Masala •

The New England Patriots finally had their bye week last week after losing three games in a row, and now they’ve hit the road for a Week 15 battle with the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.

New England has put together an abysmal 3-10 record to start Jerod Mayo’s tenure which already has them eliminated from postseason contention. Arizona is still in the NFC playoff race with a 6-7 in their second year under Jonathan Gannon.

Before these two teams hit the field on Sunday, here are a few things that both fan bases should know about the matchup.

Rankings

Points scored per game 

• New England: 17.0 (31st)
• Arizona: 21.8 (18th)

Points allowed per game 

• New England: 23.6 (21st)
• Arizona: 22.2 (13th)

Yards gained per game 

• New England: 291.1 (31st)
• Arizona: 348.0 (12th)

Yards allowed per game 

• New England: 340.2 (19th)
• Arizona: 340.5 (20th)

History

The Patriots and Cardinals have met 16 times in their history with New England winning nine of those battles. The Patriots have also won six of their 10 matchups on the road and are undefeated (2-0) at State Farm Stadium.

New England and Arizona last played in 2022, with the Patriots winning 27-13. Running backs Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong both found the end zone while Raekwon McMillan returned a fumble for a touchdown and Nick Folk made two field goals.

Injury concerns

New England has ruled out the following players:

• WR Javon Baker (concussion)
• OT Caedan Wallace (ankle)
• New England has listed these players as questionable
• S Kyle Dugger (ankle)
• CB Christian Gonzalez (shoulder)
• OT Vederian Lowe (shoulder)
• OL Cole Strange (knee)
• DL Christian Barmore (non-injury)

Arizona has ruled out the following players:

• RB Emari Demercado (back)
• P Blake Gillikin (foot)
• CB Elijah Jones (ankle)

Arizona has listed these players as questionable:

• DL Naquan Jones (shoulder)
• DL Roy Lopez (ankle)

Connections

• Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort worked in the Patriots’ front office in 2003 and from 2006-19 
• Cardinals defensive lineman Angelo Blackson spent time on the Patriots practice squad in 2017
• Cardinals offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt played for the Patriots from 2019-20
• Cardinals offensive lineman Nick Leverett played for the Patriots this year
• Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland played for the Patriots in 2023
• Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson played for the Patriots from 2022-23
• Patriots offensive line coach Scott Peters played for the Cardinals from 2007-08
• Patriots offensive lineman Lecitus Smith played for the Cardinals in 2022

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The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts are set to meet on Sunday at Gillette Stadium for a Week 13 matchup that could have big implications for both teams even though they’re both outside of the playoffs right now.

New England has put together a 3-9 record through their first 12 games, which is near the bottom of the league. A loss would help them stick near the top of next year’s draft while a win could build some confidence in Jerod Mayo and his coaching staff.

Indianapolis is still in the hunt, as their 5-7 record has them just two spots back of the final playoff spot in the AFC, which the Denver Broncos currently hold. If they down the Patriots, they could shrink that gap and make it easier to clinch a postseason berth.

Before we get to the game, let’s take a look at a few things fans should know ahead of time.

Rankings

Points scored per game

• New England: 16.4 (31st)
• Indianapolis: 20.2 (22nd)

Points allowed per game

• New England: 23.5 (19th)
• Indianapolis: 22.8 (16th)

Yards gained per game

• New England: 280.2 (32nd)
• Indianapolis: 316.3 (22nd)

Yards allowed per game

• New England: 347.5 (22nd)
• Indianapolis: 375.8 (28th)

History

New England and Indianapolis have faced off 84 times, as they used to be in the same division. The Patriots won 53 of their meetings and are 31-13 as the home team. The two clubs last met last year in Germany with the Colts taking the contest 10-6 in an ugly one for fans to watch.

Injury concerns

While the Patriots ruled out just one player (offensive lineman Cole Strange) for this weekend, they listed these nine players as questionable:

• WR Demario Douglas (ankle)
• S Kyle Dugger (ankle)
• LB Christian Elliss (knee)
• LB Anfernee Jennings (knee)
• OT Vederian Lowe (shoulder)
• S Jabrill Peppers (knee)
• DL Jaquelin Roy (neck)
• LB Sione Takitaki (knee)
• DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (foot)

The Colts have just one player listed as questionable (wide receiver Alec Pierce), but they ruled out these four players:

• C Tanor Bortolini (concussion)
• WR Josh Downs (shoulder)
• WR Ashton Dulin (ankle)
• OT Braden Smith (personal)

Connections

• Colts wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne spent a training camp with the Patriots in 2015.
• Colts offensive lineman Atonio Mafi played for the Patriots in 2023.
• Colts linebacker Cameron McGrone played for the Patriots from 2021-22.
• Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett played for the Colts from 2017-20.
• Patriots defensive lineman Eric Johnson II played for the Colts from 2022-23.
• Patriots linebacker Titus Leo played for the Colts in 2023.
• Patriots defensive end Yannick Ngakoue played for the Colts in 2022.

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