Colts Look to Get Bengals At Home After Loss to Eagles Last Week
By Josh Dhani
The Indianapolis Colts lost to the Philadelphia Eagles last week, 26-24. They had a chance to come back in the game, however, Peyton Manning threw his second interception as it was to Asante Samuel again as Indianapolis falls to 5-3.
Now they will face the 2-6 struggling Cincinnati Bengals tomorrow at home in Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis is so far undefeated at home this year and plan to keep that streak going after snapping their streak of November games won. Indianapolis hopes to get their eighth straight home win in November.
It’s been a while since the Cincinnati Bengals have beaten the Colts. It was in 1997 with they cruised to a 28-13 victory on the road.
I don’t see them winning at all, however. Manning is 6-0 against the Bengals and has 17 career touchdowns and only three interceptions in his career versus them. In his last meeting with them, he was 26-of-32 for 277 yards with three touchdowns in a 35-3 win.
The Colts have struggled with injuries this season and they probably would have been undefeated right now if it weren’t for them. But Manning finds ways to win but just couldn’t pull through against Philly last week on the road.
But he is able to give Indy just enough for a playoff spot and another crown in the AFC South division.
He is also in contention for another MVP award, already having 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
“It’s the same offense and he’s the same quarterback and he does a great job in leading it,” said tight end Jacob Tamme, who has 17 receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns the last two games in place of injured All-Pro Dallas Clark. “And there is no question he makes everyone around him better.”
Dallas Clark and Anthony Gonzalez will be lost for the rest of the season. Austin Collie will miss this game after a violent concussion last week.
Donald Brown may make his second straight start at running back due to the uncertain statuses of Joseph Addai and Mike Hart. Brown had 15 carries for 50 yards last week against the Eagles. Javarris James had two touchdowns in that game.
Reggie Wayne is healthy and good to go, and is in the top ten in the league with 60 catches for 724 yards.
Twelve players are so far on the injured-reserve list, total. Bob Sanders, Clint Session, and Gary Brackett are all out for the game.
“You wonder about who the next man is,” team president Bill Polian said. “We’re down to as thin a situation as I’ve ever experienced in my years in football, but you just have to keep on keeping on.”
The Bengals have struggled, as they should be 6-2 instead of 2-6 as many would have expected.
“You look at the last four or five games we’ve played, it’s been a play here or there that’s made the difference,” receiver Terrell Owens said.
Chad OchoCinco has been struggling, as he is not on pace for Pro Bowl type year at all.
“It’s been like that all year,” said Ochocinco, who has been held to eight receptions for 116 yards and no TDs in his last two games versus Indianapolis. “Teams are taking me away. It’s very frustrating. They’re not allowing me to be available to help this team out.”
This should be an easy win for Indianapolis. No excuses whatsoever for tomorrow.