Colts at Bengals
THE STORY: Two teams who lost veteran quarterbacks prior to the season will square off when the Cincinnati Bengals host the winless Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Bengals have managed to overcome the retirement of Carson Palmer, riding the NFL's top-ranked defense and the surprisingly solid play of rookie QB Andy Dalton to a 3-2 record. The Colts, meanwhile, knew there would be no way to replace four-time MVP Peyton Manning, and their worst fears have been realized with the team’s first 0-5 start since 1997.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. Line: Bengals -7, O/U 41
ABOUT THE COLTS (0-5): Indy's problems run much deeper than Manning, as its defense has surrendered the third most points in the league. The Colts held a pair of 17-point leads at home against Kansas City last week, but failed to score in the second half of a 28-24 loss. Third-string QB Curtis Painter has connected with WR Pierre Garcon on four scoring passes the last two weeks. Three of them have been for at least 59 yards. RB Joseph Addai (hamstring) is expected to sit out.
ABOUT THE BENGALS (3-2): Dalton threw a pair of scoring passes as Cincinnati overcame a dreadful offensive performance in rallying for its second straight win, a 30-20 victory at Jacksonville last week. Cedric Benson was held to 53 yards rushing on 24 carries and the Bengals managed only 239 yards of total offense. No. 4 overall pick A.J. Green continues to be Dalton’s favorite target. He has 24 receptions and leads all rookie wideouts with 402 yards. Cincinnati’s defense is surrendering a league-low 279.6 yards per game.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Indianapolis has beaten Cincinnati seven consecutive times, but Manning has been under center in each matchup.
2. The Bengals can match last season’s win total with a victory Sunday.
3. Colts DE Dwight Freeney needs 1.5 sacks to become the 26th player to reach 100 for his career.