Curran's Keys: Colts to show elements of Pats rivals

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Tom E. Curran is in studio to give his three keys to Sunday's game between the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts.

The Patriots are only playing one team on Sunday - the Colts. But you'll be forgiven if you get a little confused, as the Colts run systems very similar to some of New England's biggest rivals.

New England needs to prepare for the Pittsburgh Steelers - the Colts run an offense very similar to what they run in Steel-town, although the running game is mediocre at best.

New England also needs to prepare for the Baltimore Ravens - the Colts run a defense right out of the Baltimore playbook. Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney can wreak havoc off the edges so the Patriots will need to look out for that fierce Baltimore-style defense, which is high on intensity and big hitting.

Finally, the New England secondary will need to get the job done. The Colts don't have a formidable rushing attack so they'll look to go to the air and that means a lot of pressure on a defensive unit that hasn't exactly been up to the task this season. The big mystery is how the Patriots will deploy their new cornerback, Aqib Talib. Will he single cover Reggie Wayne?

In the end, Curran sees this going in one direction - a big win for New England. The Colts don't have the running game to keep the New England defense honest, and the Patriots have too many offensive weapons.

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