Patriots not buying Colts tale of woe

Despite 3-4 mark, New England wary of Indy

The Patriots believe a wounded animal is a dangerous animal.

That’s why, with Sunday’s game against the Colts looming, they’re being cautious when people ask if the great Indianapolis offense — currently stuck in what Colts coach Tony Dungy termed a “slump” — doesn’t appear to have the same high-octane look it’s had in years past.

“They’re still the Colts,” said Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas, of Indianapolis, which comes into Sunday night’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium at an uncharacteristic 3-4, four games off the pace in the AFC South.

“Nothing has changed.”

Dungy glumly told reporters Wednesday the Indianapolis offense is struggling, and there’s reason to believe him. These are difficult times for the Colts. After starting the previous three seasons 13-0, 9-0 and 7-0, they are under .500 after a loss to the Titans last Monday. Quarterback Peyton Manning is still feeling the effects of two offseason surgeries on his left knee, and statistically is off to his worst start since his rookie season — he’s thrown nearly as many interceptions (nine) as touchdowns (10) and his quarterback rating of 79 is way off his usual average, which nears triple digits.

“Peyton has generally been seven-plus yards per pass attempt and a high number of touchdown passes,” Dungy said. “Usually, we score 28 to 30 points. We’ve generally scored more touchdowns than we’ve had punts. We haven’t done that, so you either have to say skills are deteriorating or we’re in a slump, and I think offensively we are.”

Then, there are the injury problems. In addition to Manning, center Jeff Saturday had offseason knee surgery, and only recently returned to the starting lineup. Running back Joseph Addai has been slowed by a hamstring injury, even though he’s expected to play on Sunday. (Defensively, it’s been the same story — safety Bob Sanders, last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, has missed the previous five games because of a high ankle sprain. He is also expected back Sunday night.)

But New England isn’t buying into the sob story. For one thing, the Patriots have had to battle through injury problems of their own — New England is without quarterback Tom Brady, running back Laurence Maroney and safety Rodney Harrison, who have all been placed on season-ending injured reserve.

In addition, the Patriots are familiar enough with Indianapolis — this will mark the sixth consecutive regular season in which New England and Indianapolis have played each other, and the ninth time since 2003 — to know they are still capable of doing some great things on the offensive side of the football.

“We have had so many games with them and so much history with this team, the scouting report looks like a phone book,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

“They are a good football team, and I don’t think their record is really indicative of how they’ve played the game,” said Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour. “They’re a good football team. They’ll be playing at home, and coming off a loss, so it’ll be a big game for us, a big challenge.”