Colts prep for showdown with Pats

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Colts own a huge lead in the AFC South thanks to an 8-0 start which includes a close win last Sunday against the Texans.

This Sunday, the Colts archrival, the New England Patriots, comes to town.

The Colts have been impressive for the first half of the season continuing to find ways to win. The offense, defense and special teams have all played major rolls this season.

This Sunday, the Pats are at Lucas Oil Stadium and on Monday Head Coach Jim Caldwell talked about the rivalry.

"Probably all of them have been a real battle. A bunch of them have gone right down to the wire.” said Caldwell. “They have been really tough contests...two very capable teams and obviously outstanding coaching staffs working together trying to find a way to defeat the other. So I think they have all been quite memorable."

The Colts and Patriots will face each other on Sunday at 8:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Colts defense has had its share of injuries this year. Last week alone, the Colts lost three key players for the season due to injuries. One of those players was WISH-TV Sportslocker Analyst Marlin Jackson.

The Colts defensive back tore the ACL in his left knee. Jackson also tore the ACL in his right knee last year. Sunday night on Sportslocker, for the first time since his injury, Jackson talked about his season coming to an end.

"I was in practice doing one-on-ones covering Austin Collie, and he was going to run an over route and broke it down and come back out. And when and I went to go break on a route...come plant it...my body went one way and my knee just gave out and stayed there and the ACL went,” said Jackson.

Jackson said he is hoping to make a quick recovery to be ready for next season. Jackson will be a restricted free agent this off season.

"I hope to have surgery either this weekend or the following weekend. It's the same time table as last year and, actually, was like the same exact date of the season when I got hurt last year. But I plan on being back and just doing things the same way I did last year,” said Jackson.

You can catch Marlin Jackson on Sportslocker Sundays at 11:15 p.m.