Monday, December 18, 2006

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts – RCA Dome (Artificial)

Remember that scene from Wizard of Oz where Dorothy and friends find out that the Wizard isn’t a big nasty mythical being, but rather an old guy behind a curtain? Well, that’s kind of what happened to the Indianapolis Colts last week.

After rolling over teams for nine straight games since the start of the season, the Colts have lost three out of their last four, accented by a 44-17 ass-kicking by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The loss was Indy’s second in a row and exposed a weakness that was overlooked because of their stacked offense and quick start—poor run defense.

Behind the running of RBs Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor, the Jags shredded the Colts’ run defense to the tune of 375 yards.

“We'll see what we're made of from here,” head coach Tony Dungy said after the game. “We're going to have our hands full.”

And that could very well be the case this week.

Line: Indy -3 (Unchanged)

Over/Under: 55½ (Opening: 51)

Records: Cincy 8-5 (7-5-1 ATS), Indy 10-3 (7-6 ATS)

Game Time: 8:30 pm EST

Key Injuries: Forget Monday Night Football, Cincinnati LB David Pollack’s career could be over as he requires a special procedure on his neck that could make the continuation of his football career an impossibility.

WR Kelly Washington didn’t take to the field at all for practice week and is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

The same goes for C Rich Braham and OT Levi Jones (both knees).

While it was the Colts’ run defense that was hurting last week, it is Indy’s running game that is hurting this week. Both Joseph Addai (foot) and Dominic Rhodes (wrist) are questionable, although Addai is expected to see action.

WR Brandon Stokley will miss the rest of the season after he was placed on IR with an Achilles’ tendon injury.

S Bob Sanders continues to be a mainstay on the Colts’ injury report and will likely miss another game with a knee injury.

DE Robert Mathis should play despite his knee.

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