Dan Koppen News

Inside the Louisiana Superdome on ``Monday Night Football,'' the Patriots running back won't be surprised to find an emotion- and alcohol-charged atmosphere from the Saints fans.

Strike up the U2! Two additional Lombardi Trophies and almost eight years later, the Patriots on Monday night will return to the Louisiana Superdome.

The anticipation this week on the streets of New Orleans already had moved beyond a buzz and into something close to a celebration, "like Mardi Gras in November,'' Saints safety Darren Sharper said.

Koppen dreamed of the day he'd play for the varsity at Whitehall High. And part of that was participating in the annual Thanksgiving Day showdown against Emmaus High.

New England Patriots players comment on their upcoming Monday night game against the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday, November 25, 2009.

His 1-yard plunge with five minutes left sealed the 31-14 win over the New York Jets [ team stats ] at Gillette Stadium.

New England Patriots players comment on their 31-14 win over the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, November 22, 2009.

WORST CALL: - The Patriots [ team stats ] ' decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 from their own 28 late in the fourth quarter.

There is no indecision with Dan Koppen's injury status this week. His knee is fine, and the Patriots center even played against the Colts Sunday night after being forced out of the previous week's game against the Dolphins.

To the players, this feels like a divisional game. And considering the Patriots and the Colts were in the old AFC East before realignment in 2002, that makes sense.

Far more goes into the Jets' blitzes -- and into defending against them -- than meets the eye.

The New England Patriots have moved ahead of Indianapolis in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Given the lengthy injury reports the Patriots have been releasing recently, one question looms leading up to tonight's game: Who's going to play? Left tackle was listed as doubtful with a knee injury he suffered against Denver, while center Dan Koppen , running back Sammy Morris and receiver Julian Edelman were questionable.

If Brady had time to wait for his wide receivers to get open, no one at all would be criticizing the decision Belichick made to run a play and not punt despite facing fourth down deep in his own territory.

Patriots defensive lineman Ty Warren and cornerback Shawn Springs head the list of inactives for tonight's game.

With the actual mid-season point here, the Patriots stand at 6-2 not a bad position to be in, two games ahead of the New York Jets and three ahead of the 2008 AFC East champs the Miami Dolphins .

New England has deactivated three starters and running backs Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor for Sunday night's game at Indianapolis.

Center Dan Koppen and wide receiver Julian Edelman, both questionable for tonight's game, were on the field pregame.

Patriots at Colts Tonight, 8:20, Ch. 7 When the Patriots run Laurence Maroney is feeling it again.

Starting center Dan Koppen is one of 10 New England Patriots listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the undefeated Indianapolis Colts.