Stephen Holder

Patriots at Colts%2C 8%3A30 p.m. Sunday%2C NBC

T.Y. Hilton knows Bill Belichick has him in his sights.

"You know Belichick always has that scheme," the Colts receiver said of the New England Patriots coach and renowned defensive game planner.

Hilton is already a believer. But if seeking further evidence, he can look to the likes of Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffrey and A.J. Green – elite receivers who were rendered ineffective against a Belichick-led Patriots defense that this season features All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Yet Hilton's so unfazed about it heading into Sunday night's Patriots-Colts game that he literally shrugs when the subject is raised. For Hilton, this is a been-there-done-that sort of thing.

Belichick and the Patriots might be deservedly famous for taking away an opponent's biggest offensive threat. But in January's AFC divisional playoffs, that threat was Hilton, and he still managed to catch four passes for 103 yards, including a 46-yard strike. The Colts arguably made enough plays to win, but repeated defensive breakdowns and quarterback Andrew Luck's four interceptions were too much to overcome.

"They were trying to not let me wreck the game," recalled Hilton, who often was shadowed by Aqib Talib in that game. "They were trying to keep everything in front of me."

Nevertheless, Sunday's game is going to be a stiff test, one pitting Belichick and his staff against Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton. Revis, with Brandon Browner lined up on the opposite side, used within the context of Belichick's ever-changing defense, represents a challenge unlike anything the Colts offense has seen this season.

Belichick's ability to plot against specific teams' offenses is "about as good as it gets," conceded Colts coach Chuck Pagano.

On defense, the Patriots effectively do the opposite of the Colts. Indianapolis typically takes the same approach every week – the Colts mix up their blitzes but tend to use mostly man coverage in the secondary – while the Patriots vary their tactics from week to week.

"You've got to expect something unexpected," Luck said.

"It's a game plan defense, if you will," Pagano said. "Just watching them against Denver, they do a great job of mixing things up. They're not going to give you the same thing over and over again. … Right when you think you've got the four guys identified as the four rushers, they bring different people and do a great job of hiding their fronts and coverages."

When sizing up the Colts' offensive weapons, it's reasonable to look at Hilton as their primary weapon. He's the NFL's third-leading receiver, with 937 yards. He averages 16.7 yards per catch, sixth-best in the league. And his 15 receptions of 20 yards or longer rank third.

But look beyond Hilton and you'll find the reason the Colts aren't obsessing over the Patriots defense.

"Because you've got Reggie (Wayne), and Hakeem (Nicks), and a couple runners that are pretty good, and a couple tight ends that are pretty good, and a quarterback," Pagano said. "So you've got a lot of weapons out there, so people have got to decide, who are you going to take away? How are you going to play us? How are you going to try to match up?"

Even against a Patriots defense that is both versatile and creative, the Colts aren't exactly on the defensive. Look for them to continue to take downfield shots and find ways to get the ball to their playmakers. After all, that's what New England expects.

"The combination of the outside skill-set players with Hilton and Wayne and Nicks, those guys create such a problem on the perimeter when you combine it with the tight ends and the running back situation. …they really tend to put you in a bind," Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia told New England reporters this week.

It's an arsenal the Colts did not have at their disposal in the postseason loss to New England. On that evening, the Colts leaned on receivers LaVon Brazill, Da'Rick Rogers and Griff Whalen to augment the efforts of Hilton. Among those, only Whalen is still on the roster and he now plays almost exclusively on special teams. Wayne and tight end Dwayne Allen were out with season-ending injuries but are back and producing for the Colts.

Of course, the Patriots look different, too. Revis and Browner are new additions, and great ones at that. But no matter how tight the coverage, or how inventive the game plan, the Colts know chances will come. At those rare moments, it'll be up to Hilton to make the plays.

"They're going to give you chances," Hilton said, "but when those chances come, you have to take advantage."

Follow Star reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.

Patriots at Colts, 8:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC