The Colts have played better the last two weeks as they were playing on National T.V.  They are back to the grind of having a regular season home game this weekend against a Chiefs’ team that has also been better the last two weeks.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Colts have the ball:  The Colts need to start running the ball more and this is the perfect opportunity.  Joseph Addai and Delone Carter will be taking aim at a Chiefs’ D that is giving up 130.0 yards rushing per game and 4.0 yards per carry.  The Chiefs are giving 242.8 yards passing per game so far, so if the Colts’ can protect Curtis Painter (a HUGE if), he should he able to make some plays down the field.  Pierre Garcon caught 2 long TD passes on Monday Night Football against the Bucs last week, so Painter will be looking for him.  He also needs to keep Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Austin Collie involved in the passing game too.  Still, with two key offensive linemen out due to injury, I think the Colts are going to have a hard time moving the football.

When the Chiefs have the ball:  The Chiefs don’t run the ball too well, but they have a speedster in Dexter McCluster who is going to give the LBs of the Colts’ fits running the ball on sweeps and catching footballs out of the backfield.  Still, the front seven are going to be mostly responsible for stopping the Chiefs’ running game while also putting pressure on the QB.  Matt Cassel will make mistakes if he’s forced to hurry with the football.  If the Colts give him time to throw the ball, they are going to be in some trouble as Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston and rookie Jonathan Baldwin are good players.

PREDICTION:  CHIEFS 17, COLTS 13

The Indianapolis Colts finally started showing signs of life last weekend against the Steelers.  The Buccaneers have won 2 games in a row, and they are likely to be sky high as they will be playing on Monday Night Football for the first time in quite a while.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Colts have the ball:  The Colts are likely to start Curtis Painter at QB this week.  With that in mind, I look for the Colts to really try to get the running game going.  Joseph Addai and Delone Carter will probably have succes in moving the ball against a Buc’s D that is allowing 114.0 yards rushing per game and 4.1 yards per carry.  The Buccaneers also have had issues with stopping the passing game as opposing teams are averaging 270.7 yards per game in the air.  I’m not so sure that the Colts are confident enough in Curtis Painter to let him throw the ball down the field to Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon.  Look for TE Dallas Clark and WR Austin Collie to get a lot of work in the short passing game this Monday Night.

When the Buccaneers have the ball:  The Colts need to be physical in this game as the Bucs are a young and big team.  LeGarrette Blount is going to be a challenge for the Colts’ D as he is likely going to be fed the ball early in the game.  DEs Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney are going to have to get to Josh Freeman, or they are going to be in deep, deep trouble.  TE Kellen Winslow and WR Mike Williams are likely to be Freeman’s favorite targets in the passing game this Monday Night.

PREDICTION:  BUCCANEERS 23, COLTS 9

The Indianapolis Colts are reeling right now after a blowout loss in the season opener at Houston and the loss to the Browns in the home opener last weekend.  Not too much has gone right for the Colts this year and the last thing they needed right now was a visit by the Steelers on National T.V. this Sunday Night.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Colts have the ball:  The Colts should try to run the ball at the outset of this game.  Joseph Addai and Delone Carter could have success against a Steelers’ D that is allowing 100.5 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry so far this year.  Kerry Collins is going to have to get rid of the ball quickly against a Steelers’ team that loves to blitz.  With that in mind, Austin Collie, Dallas Clark and Joseph Addai will likely be the guys he targets the most in the passing game.  If the Colts get the running game going, look for Collins to take some deep shots off of play action for Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon.

When the Steelers have the ball:  The Steelers are likely going to run the ball a lot more than usual in this game, so the front seven better be ready to deal with Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman.  The Colts are going to have to get after Ben Roethlisberger with DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, and they should be able to because the Steelers’ O-Line sucks at pass blocking.  The Steelers might decide to throw shorter passes this weekend to guys like Hines Ward and Heath Miller.  They will still take some shots down the field to Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown.

PREDICTION:  STEELERS 27, COLTS 13

Both of these teams are coming off losses, so they should both be hungry this weekend.  The Colts just didn’t play with any heart last weekend but that should change as this game is the home opener.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Colts have the ball:  The Bengals had 1 big run and 1 big pass in the fourth quarter to beat the Browns last week.  Other than those two plays, they were pretty impressive on defense.  The Colts will likely try to run the ball a lot more this weekend with Joseph Addai and Delone Carter.  A solid running game would take a lot of pressure off of Kerry Collins and the passing game.  WR Reggie Wayne will likely be matched up against veteran cornerback Sheldon Brown, so the Colts should have an edge there as long as Collins has time to throw the ball.  On the other side though, Pierre Garcon is going to be hounded by one of the best young corners in the NFL, Joe Haden. Collins would be smart not to challenge Haden too much this Sunday.  Dallas Clark is likely going to take a lot of big hits from Browns’ safeties T.J. Ward, Usama Young and Mike Adams.

When the Browns have the ball:  The Browns are going to come out running the ball with Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty.  That could be a problem without starting LBs Ernie Sims and Gary Brackett.  LBs Pat Angerer, Kavell Conner and Philip Wheeler are going to have to step up in this game.  Hillis will also see a lot of targets out of the backfield for the Browns in this game.  The Browns like to throw to their TEs (Ben Watson and Evan Moore).  That means that safeties Antoine Bethea and Melvin Bullitt are going to have to bring their A-games this Sunday.  The Colts hope that DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis can get to Colt McCoy and force him into making some mistakes this Sunday.

PREDICTION:  BROWNS 20, COLTS 10

This will be the Colts’ first game since 1997, where Peyton Manning won’t be taking the first snap or any snaps.  It doesn’t help that the first game of the season will be in Houston, against a hungry and improved Houston Texans’ team.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Colts have the ball:  At first glance, I think it would be smart of the Colts to run the ball and try to control the clock.  They aren’t built for that though.  Joseph Addai and rookie Delone Carter are going to find it hard to run against the very active linebackers of the Texans, specifically DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing.  The Texans have a revamped secondary and I look for the Colts to challenge it as long as the O-Line keeps OLB Mario Williams and DE J.J. Watt out of their backfield.  Kerry Collins has plenty enough arm left to get the ball to Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Dallas Clark and Jacob Tamme.

When the Texans have the ball:  The Texans moved the ball well against the Colts last year, especially on the ground.  The Colts might luck out if Arian Foster (hamstring) can’t go or is limited this Sunday.  The bad news for the Colts’ D is that Derrick Ward and Ben Tate are more than capable replacements for Foster.  That means that LBs Gary Brackett, Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner are going to be busy this Sunday.  The Colts will need DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis to get after Matt Schaub early and often, if they are going to give their secondary a legit shot at stopping the WRs and TEs of the Texans.  The Colts will likely try to double cover Andre Johnson and dare the Texans to try to beat them by throwing the ball to Jacoby Jones, Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels.

PREDICTION:  TEXANS 27, COLTS 16

The Colts come into the playoffs on a 4-game winning streak but none of the teams they beat were over .500 teams.  The Colts were 6-2 at home this year where they play quite a lot better.  The Jets are 6-2 on the road this year and they will be seeking revenge on the Colts who beat them 30-17 last January at Lucas Oil Stadium in the AFC Championship Game.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Colts have the ball:  The Colts stink at running the ball and the Jets are only giving up 90.9 yards rushing per game and 3.9 yards per carry so far this year.  With that in mind, this game likely hinges almost completely on Peyton Manning’s ability to beat the Jets’ secondary.  The Colts’ O-Line should be able to keep the Jets’ pass rush out of the backfield but the Jets have some playmakers in the secondary.  CB Darrelle Revis & Antonio Cromartie will likely be matched up with Reggie Wayne &  Pierre Garcon.  That means that Blair White and Jacob Tamme are going to be really important in the passing game tomorrow night.

When the Jets have the ball:  DTs Dan Muir, Antonio Johnson and LBs Gary Brackett and Pat Angerer are going to get their manhood tested tomorrow as the Jets are going to come out running the ball.  Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson and Brad Smith are going to attack the Colts’ front seven and the results of that aren’t likely to look to pretty.  The Colts better get to Mark Sanchez because if Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney are getting kept out of the backfield they are in trouble.  WRs Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller are going to give the Colts fits tomorrow night.

PREDICTION:  JETS 26, COLTS 20

The Colts have won three games in a row and they now control their own destiny as far as the playoffs are concerned.  If they win this Sunday they will be the AFC South Champions with either a #3 or a #4 seed.  The Titans have lost 7 of their last 8 games but they might be inspired to spoil  the Colts’ season.  They only lost by 2 points (30-28) in the first meeting between these teams just three weeks ago.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Colts have the ball:  The Colts are going to come out throwing against the Titans.  The Titans are giving up 251.7 yards passing per game so look for Manning to spread the ball around to Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Jacob Tamme and Blair White.  Joseph Addai, Dominic Rhodes and Donald Brown will also be active running the ball but they will have to earn every yard against a Titans’ D that is only allowing 3.9 yards per carry.

When the Titans have the ball:  The Colts need to key on stopping Chris Johnson and it won’t be easy as the Colts are giving up 132.1 yards rushing per game and 4.7 yards per carry.  The Colts can force Kerry Collins into making big mistakes if they can get a good pass rush on him this Sunday.  But, the Colts will need to key on stopping Kenny Britt (who has been outstanding this year) and TE Jared Cook who is developing into one of Kerry Collins’ favorite targets.

PREDICTION:  COLTS 30, TITANS 23

The Colts will win the AFC South if the can beat the Raiders in Oakland and the Titans in Indy.  This weekend is the tougher task of the two because the Colts just have not played well on the road where they are 3-4 on the year.  The Raiders beat the Broncos last weekend and they can still win the AFC West with 2 wins + some help.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Colts have the ball:  The Raiders are a blitz happy team with 40 sacks so Peyton Manning is going to have to get rid of the ball quickly on Sunday.  That shouldn’t be a problem for him.  Manning needs to make sure that he throws the ball to Pierre Garcon, Blair White and Jacob Tamme because the Raiders are going to pay special attention to Reggie Wayne.  The Colts hope to run the ball a little more than usual in this game with Joseph Addai & Donald Brown against a Raiders’ D that is giving up 130.9 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry.

When the Raiders have the ball:  The Raiders average 157.5 yards rushing per game and 4.9 yards per carry so the defense is going to have to tighten up the chinstraps.  Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Marcel Reece give the Raiders a very talented and deep corps at RB.   The Colts are going to have to get after Jason Campbell when he drops back to pass because Jacoby Ford, Louis Murphy and Zach Miller give him three big play receivers.

PREDICTION:  RAIDERS 27, COLTS 23

The Colts need to win this game, period.  If the Jaguars beat them then the only way the Colts could maybe make the playoffs is with wins against the Raiders and Titans with some big time help.  The Jaguars are super hot right now, winning 5 of their last six games.  Keep in mind that the Jags beat the Colts 30-28 earlier this year and they will win the AFC South if they can sweep the Colts.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Colts have the ball:  The Colts are going to have to attack the Jaguars early and often through the air.  The Jaguars are giving up 258.3 yards passing per game so far this year and they don’t have much of a pass rush.  That is a lethal combo when you are trying to defend Peyton Manning.  Manning will have to have faith in some of his other receivers because the Jags are going to likely be giving special attention to Reggie Wayne.  It’s too bad that the Colts suck at running the ball because the Jags’ don’t have a good run D.

When the Jaguars have the ball:  The Jaguars rushed for 174 yards on 35 carries (5.0 ypc) in the first meeting and that’s the same gameplan they will likely have this Sunday.  The Colts are giving up 141.1 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards per carry so I think they are going to have a hard time stopping Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings.  David Garrard will likely take some shots down the field to Mike Thomas & Marcedes Lewis off of playaction.

PREDICTION:  JAGUARS 33, COLTS 30

The Colts and Titans need to right the ship tonight.  The Colts have lost three games in a row by a combined score of 105-77.  The Titans have lost 5 games in a row and they have only scored 60 points in those games while giving up 118.  This is a big game for both teams as they play again in the last game of the year in Indy.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Colts have the ball:  The Colts aren’t going to mess with running the ball even though they should.  The Titans are giving up 123.4 yards rushing per game and 4.1 yards per carry but I just can’t see Donald Brown and Javarris James scaring the Titans at all.  The Colts need to give Peyton Manning time to throw the ball and it won’t be easy against a Titans’ D that has 33 sacks already this year.  The Titans are giving up 238.7 yards passing per game this year but they already have 15 interceptions.  Cortland Finnegan has give Reggie Wayne fits so Manning might have to look more to his other WRs and TEs.

When the Titans have the ball:  This is all about stopping Chris Johnson.  If Johnson has a good game (which is likely as the Colts are giving up 142.8 yards rushing and 4.8 ypc) then it’s going to make the passing game deadly.  The Colts are going to have to get after Kerry Collins because he’s getting Kenny Britt back for tonight’s game.  With Nate Washington, Randy Moss and Kenny Britt to throw to the Colts secondary better not cheat up too much to stop Johnson.

PREDICTION:  COLTS 26, TITANS 23