In a game that will surely matter in the playoff scheme of things, the New England Patriots (6-3) will host the Indianapolis Colts (6-3) at Gillette Stadium.

Unlike in the 2011-12 season where the Colts saw themselves tied for the worst record in the NFL (2-12), this year's battle the two squads will once again be relevant. Since star QB Tom Brady made his first start against the Colts in 2001, the teams have met 13 times.

To the shocker of many, Indianapolis has flourished earlier than expected with rookie QB Andrew Luck at the helm of the offense.

Luck, who filled large shoes when he took over for the departed Peyton Manning, currently has the team in the midst of a four-game winning streak. The former Stanford standout hasn't disappointed, completing 208 of his 362 passes. The signal caller is ranked eighth in the NFL with 2,631 yards, throwing for 10 touchdowns along with nine picks.

Although Luck was intercepted three times in his debut, the quarterback hasn't passed for more than one pick in a game since. To top it off, he's also ran for five touchdowns and 159 yards, which put him among the NFL's elite top rushing quarterbacks.

New England coach Bill Belichick and his team will look to minimize the youngster's offensive success. However, he had no qualms about acknowledging the rookie phenom's abilities to ESPN.

"He's gotten better each week. He does a real good job of avoiding the rush but also keeping his eyes downfield and not just pulling the ball down and trying to run or kind of panicking in the pocket. He has a lot of poise."

CLICK HERE to watch the New England Patriots face off against the Indianapolis Colts via free live stream. Coverage of the game is set to begin at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 18.

Tags
NFL.