Last Updated on November 11, 2010 5:07 am by nate
Bengals vs. Colts Preview
INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis had one November winning streak end last weekend. However, with the struggling Cincinnati Bengals in town, it has a good chance to extend another.
The Colts look for an eighth consecutive November home victory Sunday, as they also try to extend a run of dominance over the Bengals that spans Peyton Manning’s career.
Indianapolis (5-3) had won 13 straight November games until last Sunday’s 26-24 loss at Philadelphia, which dropped it into a tie with Tennessee atop the AFC South.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGlobal.com have made the Colts 7-point spread favorites for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. Current NFL Public Betting Information shows that 63% of more than the 4,130 bets for this game have been placed on the Colts -7.
However, the Colts have other impressive streaks intact. They haven’t lost a November home game since 2007. The Bengals (2-6) have not beaten Indianapolis since a 28-13 road win Nov. 9, 1997, five months before the Colts took Manning with the first overall draft pick.
Manning has thrown 17 touchdowns and three interceptions while going 6-0 against the Bengals. He was 26 of 32 for 277 yards and three TDs in a 35-3 home win over Cincinnati in their last meeting Dec. 7, 2008.
The future Hall of Famer has the Colts in contention despite a rash of injuries. He’s second in the AFC with 16 touchdown passes and has thrown only 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.”
The Colts have lost Clark (wrist) and wideout Anthony Gonzalez (knee) for the season, and will be without receiver Austin Collie on Sunday after he suffered a concussion at Philadelphia.
Reggie Wayne is healthy and has a team-leading 60 catches and 724 receiving yards.
With the statuses of Joseph Addai (shoulder) and Mike Hart (ankle) uncertain, Donald Brown could make his second straight start at running back. Rookie Javarris James also might see more time after scoring a pair of TDs last weekend.
Indianapolis, which also continues to deal with injuries to defensive starters Bob Sanders (biceps), Clint Session (arm, elbow) and Gary Brackett (foot), has 12 players on injured reserve in all.
“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.”
Even given those injuries, the Bengals would surely rather be in the Colts’ shoes. A playoff participant last season, Cincinnati is nearly out of the race after losing five straight games by a combined margin of 27 points.
The Bengals remain the only team in NFL history to make the playoffs after a 2-6 start. The 1970 club won its last six games and the AFC Central.
“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.
Owens, who turns 37 next month, ranks among the NFL leaders with 55 receptions, 770 yards and seven TDs. He’s already matched his reception and touchdown totals from his one season with Buffalo in 2009.
He caught 10 passes for 141 yards and two scores in a 27-21 home loss to Pittsburgh on Monday.
Owens’ sidekick Chad Ochocinco hasn’t been as successful in 2010, with 40 catches for 473 yards and two TDs. The frustration continued to mount for the attention-loving receiver during Monday’s loss, as he caught only one pass for 15 yards. He exchanged words with both quarterback Carson Palmer and coach Marvin Lewis.
“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.”
Ochocinco and Palmer (shoulder) both missed practice Wednesday but are expected to play.
Cincinnati has given up an average of 27.0 points during its five-game skid. The Bengals allowed 17 total points in their two wins over Baltimore and Carolina.