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Anatomy of the Drives: Divisional Edition

Each week Colts.com will take a look at the Colts touchdown drives. For this week, here’s a look at the two offensive touchdown drives in the Colts 43-22 loss in the AFC Divisional Round to the Patriots.

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LaVon Brazill's 38-yard touchdown receptionThe scene: Down 14-0, the Colts took over at their own 20-yard line with 7:17 to go in the first quarter.The anatomy of the drive: 7 plays, for 80 yards in 2:42.Key play: It was definitely not the start the Colts had scripted. Things finally got back to normal on the third offensive series. The Colts converted a pair of third-downs and it was a third-and-six from the Indianapolis 40-yard line that made the difference. Moving T.Y. Hilton around was something the Colts did all night long and on this play No. 13 started in the backfield before shifting back to a receiver position. The extra attention towards Hilton allowed for Griff Whalen (part of a trips formation to the left with Hilton) to face man coverage. Andrew Luck stepped up in the pocket and despite being hit as he threw, the ball found Whalen. The second-year receiver caught the fluttering ball and took off for a 22-yard gain.The score: On the next play, the Colts took advantage of their first play of the night in Patriots territory. LaVon Brazill talked after the game how he knew he would have to win one-on-one matchups with the focus on stopping Hilton. Brazill did just that on this play. With Hilton lined up to the wide side of a two-receiver set with Brazill, it was No. 15 who showcased his elite speed. Brazill ran an out-and-up and got behind Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard. Luck delivered a perfect strike and Brazill made a difficult catch look rather easy for his first touchdown since the Bengals game on Dec. 8.

LaVon Brazill's 35-yard touchdown receptionThe scene: Down 29-15, the Colts took over at the their own 20-yard line with 6:18 to go in the third quarter.The anatomy of the drive: 3 plays, for 80 yards in 1:17.Key play: Hilton only had four receptions on the night but he certainly made the most of his catches. On a second-and-11 from the Indianapolis 19-yard line, Hilton lined up wide of a trips set to the right of the formation. With free release off the line of scrimmage and the Patriots in a zone, Hilton got loose deep in the Patriots secondary and found a spot in the zone on the opposite side of the field. Luck, who avoided intense pressure, found the tight window and Hilton for a 46-yard reception.The score: The Colts wasted no time taking another shot deep. On the next play, the Patriots obviously knew where Hilton was lining up. Hilton and Brazill lined up in a bunch set, in a tight formation, to the right side. The Colts ran a subtle play-action fake to Trent Richardson and that was plenty of time for Brazill to get a free release. Brazill got safety Devin McCourty leaning to the corner route before Brazill ran a post down the middle of the field. Luck threw yet another ideal ball into the outstretched hands of Brazill.

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