Quick Take: Patriots (5-2) at Colts (3-4)

Last meeting
In last year's Week 9 battle of unbeatens, New England used Randy Moss' nine receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown to edge the Colts, 24-20, at the RCA Dome.

Streaks
The Colts have won three of the last four games with the Patriots, including a 38-34 win in the 2006 AFC Championship Game, but New England leads the overall series, 44-27.

Last week
Matt Cassel orchestrated his first fourth-quarter comeback, hitting Kevin Faulk with a 15-yard touchdown pass that helped New England defeat St. Louis, 23-16, at Gillette Stadium. ... The Colts fell below .500 and four games behind the division-leading Titans with a 31-21 loss in Tennessee.

Keep your eye on ...
More Brady-like numbers from Cassel? In his first seven games in 2001, Tom Brady led the Patriots to a 4-3 record, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 1,319 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions -- for an 89.9 passer rating. In seven games this season, Cassel has completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 1,362 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions, earning himself an 84.6 rating. The six picks aren't exactly Brady-like, but New England's 5-2 record is.

A healthy Seymour: There were some question marks surrounding Richard Seymour coming off an injury-shortened season in which he produced just 1.5 sacks in nine games. But the Patriots' defensive end appears to be rounding into mid-season form, having recorded three sacks and 15 tackles in his last two games.

Peyton's passes:Peyton Manning's throws are not coming out of his hand like they used to. On more than one occasion on Monday night, Manning missed completions to open receivers on post routes and underthrew passes that he's traditionally been able to make with ease. He has shown flashes, but his 6.6 yards per completion average -- down from 7.8 last year -- is reason for concern.

Did you know?
Wes Welker can join Jimmy Smith as the only players to record at least six catches in their team's first eight games. Welker ranks second behind Cincinnati's T.J. Houshmanzadeh with 161 receptions since 2007. ... New England's Ellis Hobbs leads the NFL with a 30.3 kick-return average. ... Including the postseason, the Colts are 13-2 when DE Dwight Freeney records at least two sacks.