Patriots Shut Out Colts, 38-0

It had been a long time since the New England Patriots could afford to laugh after a game. It may be a lot longer until the Indianapolis Colts experience the same emotion.

The Patriots completed a three-week sweep of the AFC’s worst teams Sunday, recording their first shutout since 1987 with a 38-0 defeat of the Colts in frigid conditions.

It was New England’s biggest margin of victory since a 56-3 victory over the New York Jets on Sept. 9, 1979. The Patriots (4-11) have won only 13 games in the 1990s, and five have come against the Colts (4-11).

“I have never been associated with a club that played as bad as we played today,” Colt Coach Ted Marchibroda said. “We can’t bring anything positive out of this one at all. It was just a total breakdown all the way through.”

Leonard Russell rushed for two touchdowns and Drew Bledsoe passed for two more as the Patriots had their biggest scoring game since a 42-20 defeat of the Jets in December 1987. Corey Croom added a late touchdown run, and Matt Bahr kicked a field goal.

Russell ran for 97 yards in the first quarter and 138 yards overall. Croom added 93 yards in 21 carries. Bledsoe completed nine of 11 passes for 143 yards.

The Colts had 37 yards in 18 rushes. They were outgained, 400-136, in total yards by the Patriots and managed only seven first downs.

New England has given up only one touchdown, and 21 points overall, in its last four home games. The Patriots’ previous shutout was a 24-0 defeat of Indianapolis in Foxboro on Nov. 22, 1987.

The Colts have only one touchdown in their last 25 quarters.