Matchup may lack hype, but not importance

FOXBOROUGH - Last season's meeting between the Patriots and Colts brought an avalanche of hype, and it offered several reasons to be labeled "Super Bowl 41 1/2": two 8-0 powers, Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning, an AFC Championship game rematch.

The hype for Patriots-Colts this season has nearly disappeared - they have a combined six losses, knee injuries have sidelined Brady and diminished Manning, and Indianapolis faltered in the playoffs last season - but the game remains meaningful, both for the playoff race and the recent past.

"These teams could be 0-7, and I think as frequently as we've played each other, there's a lot of history there," fullback Heath Evans said. "So, it's exciting. It's a big game for us and a big game for them."

The Colts, at 3-4, have descended into the NFL's peloton, so much so that coach Tony Dungy all but conceded the AFC South title after his team's loss to the undefeated Tennessee Titans Monday night. Still, the Patriots and Colts have played seven times since 2004, with New England holding a 4-3 edge, and the familiarity has turned it into one of the NFL's best rivalries.

"It almost feels like we are back in the division playing Indianapolis," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. "We have had so many games with them and so much history with this team, the scouting report looks like a phone book.

"They look as explosive as ever. They can score in a hurry. There is never a situation where anything is safe. You could lose the ball on any play, you could give up a long touchdown on any play. We know how energetic and what kind of emotion they have playing at home; we have been there before. So, we have to be ready for that, too."

Said cornerback Ellis Hobbs, "Each team needs to win. Each team needs to prove something or continue to prove something. I go out there expecting the same Peyton, the same [Reggie] Wayne, the same [Marvin ] Harrison, all those guys.

Baby steps

Running back LaMont Jordan returned to practice yesterday in limited form, Hobbs did not practice, and wide receiver Randy Moss was limited with a foot injury.

Jordan's return after missing the previous three games with a right calf injury provides a welcome reinforcement to the running game. The Patriots had only three running backs - BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Kevin Faulk, and Evans - available last Sunday.

Hobbs maintained his left shoulder is "fine" and that he expects to play Sunday night. Hobbs left the Patriots' 23-16 victory over the St. Louis Rams last Sunday late in the fourth quarter after crashing awkwardly on his shoulder.

Moss had not previously been listed on the team's injury report. Cornerback Lewis Sanders (hamstring), running back Sammy Morris (knee), and linebacker Shawn Crable (shin) were the other Patriots who did not practice.

Reinforcements here?

Running back Joseph Addai, safety Bob Sanders, and cornerback Kelvin Hayden will likely return from injuries this week, Dungy said. All three practiced yesterday, and "if they have a good week of practice, I think all three of them will play," he said. Sanders was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season . . . Cornerback Terrence Wheatley, safety Ray Ventrone, linebacker Pierre Woods, offensive lineman Mark LeVoir, and practice squad linebacker Vince Redd wore black jerseys as the Patriots' practice players of the week . . . Evans called the Colts' defense, built on pass-rushing ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, "faster than any team we've ever seen. Even faster than their previous teams." Belichick said the Patriots have not faced a faster defense all season.

Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report.