Early look at the Indianapolis Colts

(Photo by Brian Spurlock/USA Today Sports Images)

by Dakota Antelman

Following Indianapolis' stunning upset of the Denver Broncos in Sunday's divisional playoff game, the New England Patriots are on to preparing for their AFC Championship Game against the Colts. 

The Patriots, decided favorites in this game, will spend this week prepping specifically for a unique Colts team as they aim to get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2011. 

Below are some key storylines and players to watch going into next Sunday's game...

Colts passing game is second to none

The Indianapolis Colts were ranked first overall in the NFL in passing yards during the regular season. Such was largely the produce of third year quarterback Andrew Luck who completed 61.7% of his passes also leading the league in passing yards with 4,761. 

In the receiving game, stars TY Hilton and Reggie Wayne combined for over 2,000 of Luck's 4,761 passing yards. Though somewhat shaky in the endzone, Hilton and Wayne served as the secondary anchors to this offence that Luck built.

Indy run defense leaves room for breakout day for Patriots RB's

After running the ball on just 7 of 57 offensive plays vs. Baltimore, the Patriots could be headed towards a match-up vs Indianapolis that would favor a running back heavy approach. The Colts were 18th in the NFL this season in run defense, allowing an opposing RB to rush for 90+ yards on them five different times. 

The most stinging of those 90 yard days came in Week 11 when New England's own Jonas Gray dismantled the Colts rushing for 201 yards and 4 touchdowns on 38 carries. 

Lastly, if the past is any indication, this Patriots team enters this game with a history of running back explosions vs Indianapolis. Even before Gray this season, LeGarrette Blount blew the Colts away in last year's playoffs with 166 yards and four touchdowns of his own. 

Former Patriot Adam Vinatieri looking to prove he still has it

42 year old, four time Super Bowl winning, seasoned kicking great Adam Vinatieri has, in the time since he left the Patriots after the 2005 season, carved out a legacy for himself in Indianapolis. More so, 2014, a season 19 years after his debut, has arguably been his greatest. 

Vinatieri missed just one of the 31 field goals he attempted this season. He converted on three different kicks from 50 or more yards while also never missing from closer than 40 yards. 

As he faces the team that fostered his initial years of placekicking excellence, Vinatieri will be aiming to play a big part in one more AFC Championship win, proving his sustained skill as he does so.