The New England Patriots are set for their Thursday Night Football matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. Not only are they favored to win the game, but they are also prepared to be healthier than they have been on the offensive side of the football since the 2016 NFL season.

Michael Girardi of the NFL Network noted that the Patriots will have both Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman playing together for the first time since 2016.

That seems incredibly difficult to believe, but for the Patriots it has been a rough reality.

Tom Brady is likely the happiest person to have the crew back together. Edelman is his most trusted wide receiver and Gronkowski has been his favorite target for years. Having both of them on the field will give the Patriots' offense a much-needed boost.

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Edelman is returning from a four-game suspension and is expected to get back into the action at full speed. Last season, he caught 98 passes for 1,106 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers show exactly how much the Patriots rely on Edelman when he's on the field.

Gronkowski has started the 2018 season off strong with 17 receptions for 233 yards and a touchdown. He has been dealing with an ankle injury this week that had him listed as questionable at one point. It does sound like he is just fine and will play tonight against the Colts.

Not only are the Patriots getting both of their stars back on the field together, they are getting them back just in time for an old rival.

Indianapolis and New England always have a little extra to leave on the field when they face off against each other. Both teams want this game and the Patriots will need all they can get from Edelman and Gronkowski even though they are heavily favored to win.