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A18 SPORTS
Thursday 4 OcTOber 2018
Luck, Colts hope to turn around recent fortunes vs. Patriots

By KYLE HIGHTOWER said.
AP Sports Writer "He's been a great player
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. for our team. I think every-
(AP) — Beginning in the one's excited to have him
early 2000s and lasting for back, and anytime you
more than a decade, the add great players, it's go-
matchups between Peyton ing to help what we're do-
Manning's Colts and Tom ing."
Brady's Patriots were must- Here are some things to
watch matchups. watch for in Thursday's
From their three AFC cham- game:
pionship games, to the FINAL CHAPTER?
six regular-season MVP New England gave kicker
awards Brady and Man- Adam Vinatieri his NFL start
ning captured during that back in 1996 when he beat
span, quarterback play out veteran Matt Bahr for
was the centerpiece of the the job.
rivalry. Thursday night could be his
Manning's departure from final appearance in Fox-
Colts and Andrew Luck's borough, Massachusetts.
arrival in 2012 ushered in Though he's on the cusp
a new era in Indianapolis. of breaking Morten Ander-
But so far Luck hasn't been sen's career scoring record
able to duplicate the suc- At left, in a Sept. 9, 2018, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs out and has shown no indica-
of the pocket during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, in
cess that his predecessor Foxborough, Mass. At right, in a Sept. 30, 2018,l file photo, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew tion he's slowing down, the
had against the Patriots. Luck (12) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, in reality is the 45-year-old Vi-
In five starts against New Indianapolis. natieri signed a one-year
England, Luck has yet to Associated Press contract during the offsea-
notch his first victory against remember some of those much talk about it," said Colts general manager son and there's no assur-
Brady. great games, certainly that Colts coach Frank Reich, Chris Ballard to become ance the Colts could be
Luck is hoping to change AFC championship game who saw some of those big Indianapolis' new head heading back to New Eng-
his fortunes on Thursday here. So yeah, I do think I games up close when he coach. land any time soon. Indy
night, when his comeback have an appreciation for started his coaching ca- "The rivalry is back on," Bal- won't play another round
tour stops in New England. it." reer. lard said as he left a news robin with the AFC East until
"Certainly (in) my experi- But on a team that has had Perhaps that's because conference to announce 2022.
ence, we have come up a significant change in the Indy has lost seven straight the new search had be- Not that the four-time Super
on the short end and that's roster over the past two games in the series. gun. Bowl champion has given it
not fun," he said. seasons, the rivalry hasn't Things heated up again in But the Colts (1-3) have much thought.
"Obviously, we would like been exactly the hottest February when Patriots of- started slowly since Luck re- "It very well could be. I guess
to turn that around. We topic around the locker fensive coordinator Josh turned to action after more every game could be your
would like to flip the story room. McDaniels reneged on his than a year away following last game you know," he
in a sense. But growing up I "A young roster, just not as verbal agreement with shoulder surgery. said. "I just haven't thought
The Patriots (2-2) also had a that far ahead."
Jets' Crowell fined $13K by NFL for TD modest start to the season, GRONK ON THE MEND
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski
but may be turning a cor-
'wipe' celebration ner coming off a dominat- left in the second half of
ing 38-7 win over the Miami New England's win over Mi-
Dolphins . ami after aggravating an
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. "It was inexcusable," Crowell posted photos on Thursday is expected to ankle injury.
AP Pro Football Writer Bowles said after the social media of the run- mark receiver Julian Edel- He did not participate in
NEW YORK (AP) — Well, game. "We talked about ning back holding boxes man's season debut after the Patriots' first practice of
that's one way to flush it and it will never happen of the wipes. he served a four-game the week Tuesday. Brady
some money away. again." Crowell insisted "Thanks to @dudewipes I suspension for violating has had trouble getting the
New York Jets running he wasn't trying to send a am now covered," Crow- the NFL's policy on perfor- ball in Gronk's hands over
back Isaiah Crowell was message to the team for ell wrote in his post on mance enhancers. the past three games. He's
fined $13,369 by the NFL which he played four sea- Instagram . "Never leave It's just in time for Brady, had just 10 catches for 110
on Tuesday for his crude sons before signing with home without them." who has struggled at times yards and no touchdowns
touchdown celebration the Jets as a free agent Crowell wasn't the only this season without a de- over that span. Gronk has
in Cleveland. in March. He said he was player to get a big fine pendable receiver to go to only one touchdown re-
After scoring against his just having fun, but felt dumped on him. on third down. ception on the season.
former team on Sept. 20, bad about the unsports- Atlanta's Brian Poole was Edelman, who has been MILESTONE WATCH
Crowell took the football manlike conduct penalty docked $20,054 for a with the Patriots since 2009, With a victory, Brady (225
and wiped it against his his celebration drew. horse-collar tackle and also set out the 2017 sea- wins) can tie Vinatieri (226)
rear end before firing it The news doesn't all stink $20,054 for roughing son after tearing the ante- for the most wins by a play-
into the stands. It made for Crowell, who actually the passer for a total of rior cruciate ligament in his er in NFL history.
for a viral moment from landed a promotional $40,108; and Minnesota's right knee in the preseason. Brady enters the game
New York's 21-17 loss to deal with Dude Wipes — Anthony Barr was fined "I think we've played so three touchdowns shy of
previously winless Cleve- a company that sells a $10,026 for a facemask much football together, I 500 regular-season touch-
land , and earned Crow- toilet paper substitute for call and $20,054 for a really have no doubt where down passes. He trails only
ell a scolding from coach men. horse-collar tackle for a he's going to be at, what Manning (539) and Brett
Todd Bowles. Both the company and total of $30,080.q he's capable of," Brady Favre (508).q