INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Colts are getting some help from a former Patriot.

Six days before the two rivals meet in a divisional-round game, the Colts signed Deion Branch, the former New England receiver and Super Bowl MVP.

Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano pointed out Branch lives in nearby Carmel, works out at one of the city’s top training facilities and fills a need after Darrius Heyward-Bey injured a hamstring Saturday in the Colts’ 45-44 comeback victory over Kansas City. But Branch also brings something else to the locker room — deep knowledge of Bill Belichick’s playbook.

“You know it really didn’t sit there and factor in,” Pagano said Monday, downplaying the perceived intelligence coup. “Having had some time spent there, we figured that the questions were going to come up ‘If you’re signing this guy who spent  time in New England, is it just a coincidence or do you need the guy to help you win a football game?’ We think we got a heck of a football player.”