Patriots vs Colts Prediction & Betting Tips for NFL Preseason Week 1 on 8/13/2026

The 2026 NFL preseason kicks off with an intriguing game between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots. This Week 1 matchup will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Fans can catch the action live on NFL Network at 7:30 PM on August 13, 2026.

Shane Steichen leads the Colts as head coach, with Jim Bob Cooter and Lou Anarumo serving as the offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively. Despite their 8-9 record last regular season, the Colts will look to start their preseason on a positive note. The team did not make it to the playoffs last year, which adds motivation for improvement.

On the other side, Mike Vrabel returns to guide the Patriots after a strong 14-3 season in 2025. The Patriots had a successful postseason, advancing to the Super Bowl where they fell to the Seattle Seahawks. With Josh McDaniels and Zak Kuhr as the offensive and defensive coordinators, the team aims to build on their previous success.

The weather in Foxborough is expected to be warm with a light breeze and broken clouds, providing a pleasant setting for this preseason opener. According to the odds, the Colts are slightly favored, but the Patriots will look to leverage their home advantage. With both teams aiming to set the tone for the season, this game should provide a glimpse into their preparation and strategies.

Patriots vs Colts At a Glance (Preseason Week 1)

• The game is part of the 2026 Preseason, Week 1.
• The Indianapolis Colts will play the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.
• Weather is expected to be warm with a light breeze under broken clouds.
• The New England Patriots had a 14-3 record last regular season, reaching the Super Bowl.
• The Indianapolis Colts finished last regular season with an 8-9 record and did not make the playoffs.
• The consensus odds have the Colts favored with a moneyline of -158, while the Patriots have a moneyline of +133.

The Patriots' Path: Insights on New England's Preseason Prospects

Offensive Outlook

The New England Patriots enter the 2026 preseason looking to build upon an impressive offensive showing from the 2025 regular season. They ranked second in scoring with an average of 28.8 points per game, showcasing their ability to put points on the board efficiently. With 6449 offensive yards, the Patriots were the third-best team in the league in total yardage, highlighting their well-rounded offensive capabilities.

Quarterback Drake Maye led the charge last season, throwing for 4394 yards and 31 touchdowns, ranking first on the team in these categories. The running game was also effective, with TreVeyon Henderson amassing 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. As they prepare for their preseason opener against the Colts, the Patriots will be eager to see how their offensive unit gels without the presence of Stefon Diggs, who has moved to the Washington Commanders.

Defensive Dynamics

Defensively, the Patriots were equally formidable last season, ranking fourth in the league by allowing only 18.8 points per game. Their ability to limit opponents to 5019 total yards underscores a stout defense that excels in both pass and rush defense. The Patriots' defense was particularly adept at recovering fumbles, achieving the fifth-best rank in the league.

Linebacker Harold Landry III's absence due to a knee injury will test the depth of the Patriots' defense. However, with key players like Christian Gonzalez anchoring the secondary, New England hopes to maintain its defensive prowess. As they face the Colts in their preseason opener, the Patriots will look to reaffirm their defensive strengths.

Injury Concerns

The Patriots face several injury concerns heading into the preseason, with notable absences including wide receivers Jeremiah Webb and Jimmy Kibble, both on injured reserve. Julian Hill, a tight end, is also out for the season due to a knee injury. These injuries will force the Patriots to rely on their depth to fill these gaps, particularly in the receiving corps.

Despite these challenges, the Patriots have a solid roster to draw from. Players like A.J. Brown and Hunter Henry are expected to step up and deliver performances that can mitigate the impact of these injuries. The depth chart highlights the team's preparedness to handle adversities as they kick off their preseason schedule.

Special Teams Spotlight

Special teams will continue to be a focus for the Patriots, with Andy Borregales handling the kicking duties. Last season, Borregales made 27 field goals, ranking first on the team, and converted 53 extra points. His reliable leg will be critical in close games, providing a scoring edge that could prove decisive.

The return game will feature Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III, both expected to contribute in key situations. Special teams' performance often dictates field position and momentum, making their role crucial in preseason games.

Betting Trends

• New England is 10-0 in their last 10 regular season games as a favorite in 2025.
• In all games during the 2025 regular season, they posted a 13-1 record.
• On the road, they achieved a perfect 7-0 record in their last seven regular-season games in 2025.
• They have been successful after wins, going 11-1 in their last 12 regular season games in 2025.
• The Patriots covered the spread in 11 out of their last 14 regular season games in 2025.
• In home preseason games, they are 3-0 in their last three, spanning from 2024 to 2025.

Indianapolis Colts: Navigating the Preseason with Promise

Quarterback Situation

Daniel Jones is currently leading the Colts' quarterback depth chart. Despite having no stats available for this preseason, Jones played 13 games last regular season with 3,101 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, ranking 18th in the league for passing yards. Behind him, Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson Sr. are also in the mix, aiming to make an impact in the upcoming games.

Running Back Depth

Jonathan Taylor remains the cornerstone of the Colts' running game. Last season, Taylor was exceptional, rushing for 1,585 yards and securing 18 touchdowns, making him one of the top backs in the league. Complementing Taylor is DJ Giddens, who will look to contribute and provide depth in the backfield.

Wide Receiver and Tight End Units

Alec Pierce leads the wide receiver group despite dealing with an ankle injury. Last season, he recorded 1,003 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Tyler Warren is the top tight end, known for his reliable hands, having caught 76 passes for 817 yards last season.

Kicking Game Concerns

Spencer Shrader, the Colts' primary kicker, is out with a knee injury, leaving Blake Grupe to take on kicking duties. Shrader's absence could be felt as he was a consistent performer last season. Grupe will need to step up in Shrader's absence to ensure the Colts maintain their kicking game efficiency.

Defensive Overview

The Colts' defense aims to improve from last year's performance, where they ranked 23rd in opponent offensive yards allowed per game. Their pass defense struggled significantly, ranking 30th in opponent passing yards allowed. However, their rushing defense was a bright spot, ranking 7th in the league.

Key Injuries

The Colts will start the season without several key players. Alec Pierce is on the physically unable to perform list, and Sean McKeon is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Spencer Shrader's knee injury also leaves a gap in the special teams.

Upcoming Matchup

The Colts will face the New England Patriots in their first preseason game on August 13, 2026, at Gillette Stadium. They are favored by 3 points with a total over/under set at 36.5. This game will provide an opportunity for the Colts to assess their roster and make necessary adjustments.

Indianapolis Colts Betting Trends

• The Colts have gone 7-0 on over/under as favorites in their last 7 preseason games.
• They have a perfect 7-0 over/under record in away preseason games over the last 7 games.
• Following a win in preseason games, the Colts have a 7-0 over/under record in their last 7 outings.
• In preseason games with totals ≤ 42, they have gone 11-2 on over/under in the last 13 games.
• As preseason underdogs, the Colts have a 3-0 record against the spread in their last 3 games.
• After a loss in preseason games, they have a strong 5-1 record against the spread in the last 6 games.

Patriots vs Colts Prediction: Patriots +3.0

The New England Patriots, coming off a strong postseason showing, face the Indianapolis Colts in the first week of the 2026 preseason. Despite being 3.0-point underdogs, the Patriots' recent dominance at home, with a 6-1 record in their last seven regular-season games, suggests they can cover the spread. Their defense, ranked 4th last season in opponent scoring, should present challenges for the Colts' offense.

On the other hand, the Colts struggled on the road last season with a 2-6 record. The Patriots' offensive capabilities, ranked 2nd in scoring last year, can exploit the Colts' defense, which was ranked 21st in opponent scoring. With the Patriots playing at home, they have an edge that should allow them to at least cover the spread.

Given the preseason nature of the game, team strategies might be less aggressive, but the Patriots' recent track record shows their ability to perform well in preseason games. Their ATS record of 3-0 in the last three preseason home games indicates a strong likelihood of covering the spread in this matchup.

Projecting a lower-scoring affair due to preseason conditions and defensive strengths, the Patriots might edge the Colts slightly or keep the game within a field goal difference. Expect the Patriots to leverage their home-field advantage and defensive prowess to cover the +3.0 spread.

• Patriots vs Colts Prediction: Patriots +3.0
• Patriots vs Colts Score: Patriots 20 - Colts 17

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