INDIANAPOLIS -- A few thoughts on the New England Patriots' 42-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts:

What it means: The Patriots stand alone atop the AFC with an 8-2 record, a result of their smash-mouth victory and the Broncos' road loss to the Rams. In the process, the Patriots proved they can assert themselves on the road in a big game.

Game ball: Jonas Gray. The first-year running back from Notre Dame has been thrust into the team's top "big back" role after Stevan Ridley tore his ACL on Oct. 12, and this was his breakout game (38 carries, 199 yards). At 5-foot-10 and 230 pounds, Gray is a powerful runner between the tackles, and he runs with good body lean. As NBC color analyst Cris Collinsworth said during the broadcast, the Patriots had hoped to find a spot for Gray on the roster earlier in the season, when he was on the practice squad. The Patriots believe in him as their lead back, as evidenced by the fact he was charted on the field for 53 snaps (not including kneel-downs).

Not Brady's best: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady played a shaky first half that included two interceptions, the second of which came late in the second quarter on a questionable decision when he appeared to check out of a run play and then lofted the ball along the sideline. This was one of the rare nights when others had to pick up Brady, the team's unquestioned leader.

More on power football: In a reflection of how power football was a big part of the Patriots' plan, rookie offensive tackle Cameron Fleming played 37 snaps (not including kneel-downs) as an eligible receiver/sixth offensive lineman. This showed how the Patriots wanted to be stronger at the line of scrimmage and felt they could overpower the Colts.

Defense does its part: The Colts entered the game as the NFL's highest scoring team with an average of 32.2 points per game. In holding them to 20, the Patriots played a mix of coverages and absorbed a few big plays but came through in the critical situations with either turnovers or stops. This is a stingy unit developing more confidence each day.

Injuries to monitor: Receiver Julian Edelman was shaken up in the first quarter when he landed hard along the sideline and appeared to land on one of the sticks. But after missing three plays, he returned and then was mixed in and out of the lineup. He was seen stretching his right leg at times on the sideline. Fleming, the rookie offensive tackle, limped off late in the fourth quarter.

Stat of note: The Patriots are now 31-3 in the second halves of seasons (games 9 through 16) since 2010. That is easily the best mark in the NFL.

What's next: The Patriots return home to entertain the Lions (1 p.m. ET).