Preseason stalemate: Colts and Patriots end in 13-13 tie
Indianapolis’ Anthony Richardson records a rushing touchdown but commits two turnovers, while New England’s Tommy DeVito throws a score in a game that concludes without overtime.
The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots concluded their preseason opener with a 13-13 tie on Thursday night in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The result underscores the limited stakes of early-season exhibition matches, where teams prioritise roster evaluation and player health over competitive outcomes. With no overtime provisions in the NFL preseason schedule, the game ended in a draw after New England missed a late field goal attempt.
Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson made his first appearance since early last season, delivering a mixed statistical performance. Richardson completed 11 of 14 passes for 145 yards and rushed six times for 53 yards, including a 1-yard sneak for a touchdown. However, his outing was marred by two turnovers: a fumble and an interception thrown after his pass was tipped by receiver Coleman Owen and caught by Patriots cornerback Kindle Vildor.
Richardson’s return comes amid scrutiny regarding his standing on the depth chart. Selected fourth overall in the 2023 draft, he appeared in only two games last season and recorded the lowest completion rate of any NFL starter in 2024. With starting quarterback Daniel Jones resting, Richardson aimed to solidify his role as the backup behind Jones, though his performance provided early indicators of the challenges he faces in retaining his position.
On the other side, Patriots backup quarterback Tommy DeVito completed 13 of 22 passes for 128 yards and threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams. DeVito’s presence on the roster has evolved significantly; claimed off waivers in August 2025, he became the primary backup in March following the release of Joshua Dobbs and subsequently signed a two-year extension. The Patriots rested most of their starters, including quarterback Drake Maye, to manage workload ahead of the regular season.
Defensively, the Patriots recorded two interceptions, with John Saunders Jr. adding to Vildor’s pick. Indianapolis struggled with ball security throughout the night, committing four turnovers in total. The Colts trailed for most of the game before tying the score with 1:16 remaining on a 61-yard field goal by Spencer Shrader. New England had a chance to win with 13 seconds left when kicker Anthony Borregales missed a 49-yard attempt wide left.
The game also highlighted off-field dynamics within the Patriots organisation. Head coach Mike Vrabel was present on the sideline following a difficult offseason that included media scrutiny and reports that he sought counselling after photographs were published involving reporter Dianna Russini. Additionally, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez was absent from the game due to ongoing contract negotiations, a notable omission given his status as a fourth-year standout.
