Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots Match Result, Score August 14, 2026

The Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots preseason matchup ended in a dramatic 13–13 tie at Gillette Stadium. Although the game was played on Thursday, August 13, the official game notes and major reports were published on August 14, 2026, matching the date specified for this article.

Neither team used most of its frontline starters, making the contest an important opportunity for backup quarterbacks, rookies and players competing for roster positions. The Colts ultimately erased a late deficit with two fourth-quarter field goals, while New England's final opportunity to win the game ended with a missed field goal.

Match Overview

The Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots game was the preseason opener for both teams. It was played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where the Patriots hosted Indianapolis after the two teams had also held a joint practice earlier in the week.

The final score was:

Indianapolis Colts 13, New England Patriots 13

The result gave both teams a 0-0-1 preseason record. The Colts official game center confirms the 13–13 final score and lists the contest as Preseason Week 1.

Match Details

Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots Score

The scoring was relatively balanced, but the way the points arrived made the game particularly interesting.

Anthony Richardson Returns to Game Action

The Colts quarterback returned to game action after appearing in only two games during the previous season. With Indianapolis resting Daniel Jones, Richardson received the starting opportunity and played during the first half.

Richardson completed 11 of 14 passes for 145 yards and also rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown. His performance provided Indianapolis with plenty of encouraging signs, although turnovers remained a concern.

His first-half performance showed both his physical ability and some of the inconsistencies that have followed him during his young NFL career.

Richardson Scores on a One-Yard Run

Richardson's most important offensive moment came in the second quarter.

After Indianapolis moved the ball into scoring range, Richardson finished the drive himself with a one-yard rushing touchdown. The score brought the Colts back into the game after New England had established an early advantage.

According to the game scoring summary, Richardson's touchdown made the score 10–7 in favor of the Patriots.

For Indianapolis, seeing Richardson make plays with both his arm and legs was one of the most positive elements of the evening.

Turnovers Become a Problem for Indianapolis

Despite Richardson's strong passing numbers, the Colts struggled with ball security.

Richardson lost a fumble and threw an interception, giving him two turnovers during his appearance. The Colts as a team finished with three turnovers, including two lost fumbles and one interception.

New England's defense took advantage of those mistakes. Kindle Vildor and John Saunders Jr. each recorded interceptions for the Patriots, according to the postgame reports.

For a preseason game, turnovers are particularly important because young players are competing to demonstrate that they can be trusted with larger roles. Explore more Green Bay Packers vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Tommy DeVito Leads the Patriots Offense

New England rested quarterback Drake Maye, along with many of its regular starters. That gave Tommy DeVito an opportunity to direct the Patriots' offense.

DeVito responded with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Kyle Williams.

The scoring connection covered 12 yards and gave New England its first touchdown of the game.

The touchdown was one of the clearest offensive highlights for New England and helped the Patriots establish a 10–0 lead before Indianapolis responded.

Kyle Williams Makes an Impression

Wide receiver Kyle Williams was one of the Patriots' notable offensive performers.

Williams caught the 12-yard touchdown pass from DeVito, giving New England an important early scoring advantage. Patriots game notes specifically identified Williams among the players who made an impact during the preseason opener.

For players competing for roster spots, these opportunities can be particularly valuable. A touchdown in the opening preseason game provides coaches with additional evidence when evaluating the receiver group.

Patriots Take an Early Lead

New England opened the scoring with a field goal from Andres Borregales. Borregales converted a 40-yard field goal with 3:43 remaining in the first quarter, giving the Patriots a 3–0 lead.

The Patriots then extended their advantage in the second quarter when DeVito connected with Williams for the 12-yard touchdown. Indianapolis responded through Richardson, leaving New England with a 10–7 halftime lead.

Second-Half Battle

The second half became a much more defensive and field-position-oriented contest. New England added another Borregales field goal in the third quarter. The kick came from 52 yards, extending the Patriots' lead to 13–7.

Indianapolis could not answer with a touchdown during the third quarter, meaning the Patriots entered the final period holding a six-point advantage. However, the Colts' offense eventually found enough consistency to produce the points needed for the comeback.

Spencer Shrader's Fourth-Quarter Impact

Indianapolis kicker Spencer Shrader played a central role in the late comeback. Shrader converted a 46-yard field goal with 7:39 remaining in the fourth quarter, cutting the Patriots' lead from 13–7 to 13–10.

The Colts then had another scoring opportunity late in the period. Shrader stepped up again and made a remarkable 61-yard field goal with 13:44 remaining on the game clock according to the scoring notation, bringing Indianapolis level at 13–13. 

Patriots Miss Chance to Win

New England had an opportunity to avoid the tie late in the game.

The Patriots attempted a late field goal, but Andres Borregales missed, allowing Indianapolis to escape with the 13–13 draw. CBS/AP reported that the missed late kick prevented New England from securing the victory.

The missed opportunity was especially significant because the Patriots had led for most of the second half.

Instead of a win, New England had to settle for a tie in its opening preseason game.

Riley Leonard Takes Over for Indianapolis

After Richardson's first-half appearance, Riley Leonard took over at quarterback.

Leonard helped Indianapolis finish the comeback and played a key role in the second half as the Colts attempted to close the six-point gap. The Colts' official coverage highlighted Leonard's performance alongside Richardson and several rookies.

The quarterback competition and depth chart remain important areas for Indianapolis, particularly with Richardson trying to re-establish himself and Daniel Jones receiving the night off.

Colts Move the Ball Well

Although Indianapolis committed several turnovers, the Colts actually produced more total offense than New England.

The Colts recorded 355 total net yards, compared with 275 for the Patriots. Indianapolis also gained 133 rushing yards and 222 passing yards.

That statistical advantage makes the final tie particularly interesting. The Colts generated more yardage but failed to turn enough of those opportunities into touchdowns.

New England, meanwhile, was more efficient in several key situations and protected the football.

Complete Team Statistics

The numbers reveal a clear contrast. Indianapolis moved the ball effectively and gained 80 more total yards, while New England protected the football and converted third downs more successfully.

New England's Defense Creates Pressure

The Patriots' defense was one of the team's strongest aspects.

New England intercepted two Indianapolis passes and recovered from the Colts' ability to generate substantial yardage. The defense also forced several mistakes that helped keep the game close.

The Patriots' postgame coverage emphasized the team's ability to attack the football, a trait head coach Mike Vrabel praised after the game.

For a preseason roster, defensive takeaways can be especially valuable because they demonstrate playmaking ability from players competing for snaps.

The Offensive Line Faces Injury Concerns

New England also had to deal with injuries during the game.

Center Ben Brown suffered an injury after playing 55 consecutive snaps, while offensive lineman Andrew Rupcich later went on injured reserve after suffering a knee issue.

Those developments became significant for the Patriots because offensive-line depth is crucial throughout the preseason. Injuries can quickly change roster plans and create additional opportunities for young linemen.

What the Tie Means for the Colts

For Indianapolis, the 13–13 result offered both positives and concerns.

The positive side was the return of Anthony Richardson. His 145 passing yards, 53 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown showed that he could still create plays with his legs while making accurate throws.

The negative side was ball security. Richardson committed two turnovers, while the Colts as a team lost three possessions.

Indianapolis also missed a 61-yard field-goal attempt before halftime, although Shrader later successfully converted from the same distance in the fourth quarter.

What the Tie Means for the Patriots

For New England, the result was more mixed.

The Patriots protected the football, forced three turnovers and received a productive performance from DeVito. Kyle Williams also provided a touchdown highlight, while the defense repeatedly created problems for Indianapolis.

However, the Patriots struggled offensively at times and missed several field-goal opportunities. Borregales finished the night with two successful field goals but also missed attempts, including the late kick that could have won the game.

Preseason Context Matters

It is important not to overstate the importance of the final result.

The Colts and Patriots rested many of their primary starters. For New England, Drake Maye did not play, while Indianapolis also kept several frontline players on the sideline. The teams had already used their joint practice to give important players additional competitive reps.

That means the 13–13 score should be viewed primarily as an evaluation opportunity rather than a prediction of how either team will perform during the regular season.

Coaches were able to examine backup quarterbacks, rookie defenders, offensive-line depth, kickers and other players fighting for roster positions.

Major Takeaways From the Match

Anthony Richardson Showed Encouraging Signs

Richardson's return was one of the biggest storylines. He completed 11 of 14 passes and added 53 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Turnovers Remained an Issue

The Colts gained 355 yards but committed three turnovers. That imbalance prevented Indianapolis from turning its offensive production into a victory.

Tommy DeVito Took Advantage of His Opportunity

With Maye resting, DeVito guided the Patriots' offense and threw the team's only touchdown pass to Williams.

Spencer Shrader Delivered Under Pressure

Shrader's two fourth-quarter field goals, including a 61-yarder, helped Indianapolis erase a six-point deficit.

New England's Defense Was Opportunistic

The Patriots recorded two interceptions and did not turn the ball over themselves. That helped compensate for their lower total yardage.

Final Result

The Colts and Patriots could not be separated after four quarters. New England entered the fourth quarter with a 13–7 lead, but Indianapolis responded with two Spencer Shrader field goals.

The Patriots then had a chance to win but missed a late field goal, leaving both teams with a tie in their preseason opener.

Final Analysis

The Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots matchup produced an unusual but entertaining preseason result. Instead of a traditional winner and loser, both teams walked away with a 13–13 tie, giving each organization an early opportunity to evaluate its younger players.

For Indianapolis, Anthony Richardson's return was the headline. His passing efficiency and rushing production were encouraging, but his two turnovers demonstrated that there is still work to do. The Colts' 355 total yards showed that the offense could move the ball, but three turnovers and inconsistent third-down execution prevented a more convincing result.

New England received promising contributions from Tommy DeVito, Kyle Williams and its defense. The Patriots forced turnovers, protected their own possessions and held a 13–7 advantage deep into the game. However, missed field goals and Indianapolis' late comeback kept the Patriots from claiming victory.

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