Colts face second week of killer schedule
The Indianapolis Colts are one of the NFL’s best teams and did nothing to hurt their reputation in a three-point loss in New England on opening night. Now they go into Tennessee an underdog for the second straight week, step two in a devastating early schedule.
But there’s reason for optimism for Peyton Manning and friends, underdogs by a point-and-a-half.
For one thing, they beat the Titans twice last season, including a 29-27 win in Nashville. For another, Tennessee already has injury problems.
And for a third, the Colts moved the ball well against the Patriots but were killed by three turnovers inside the 20-yard-line: two fumbles by Edgerrin James and an interception thrown by Manning.
“We’re 0-1 and we’re at the same place we ended last year,” coach Tony Dungy said. “We’re a good team, but you’ve got to do it week in and week out.”
The quarterbacks, co-MVPs Manning and Steve McNair, could cancel each other out. That could put the offenses on the legs of James and Chris Brown, who had 100 yards on 16 carries in the first half against Miami but sprained his ankle and didn’t play after intermission.
Brown says he’ll be ready Sunday. But left guard Zach Piller had surgery on a torn bicep this week and will be replaced by rookie Jacob Bell, a fifth-round draft pick.
Based on that and the questionable status of punter Craig Hentrich ….
COLTS, 22-21
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Minnesota (plus 3 1/2) at Philadelphia (Monday night)
The Vikings are better indoors than out.
EAGLES, 27-20
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Pittsburgh (plus 4) at Baltimore
The Ravens won’t be embarrassed at home.
RAVENS, 19-6
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New England (minus 8) at Arizona
The perfect place for a letdown — the Cardinals were competitive at home last season and Pat Tillman ceremonies will have them fired up.
Bill Belichick doesn’t allow letdowns and devours young QBs.
PATRIOTS 24-13
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Carolina (plus 6) at Kansas City
The Panthers are without Steve Smith and the defense looked ordinary against Ahman Green and the Packers. Priest Holmes romps?
CHIEFS, 27-16
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St. Louis (plus 2 1/2) at Atlanta
The Rams needed a little luck to beat the Cardinals.
The luck runs out.
FALCONS, 27-24
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Washington (minus 3) at New York Giants
Tom Coughlin’s silly fines have the Giants angry. They take it out on the Redskins.
GIANTS, 19-17
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Denver (minus 3) at Jacksonville
Jake Plummer will only throw with his right arm this week.
BRONCOS, 27-20
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Chicago (plus 8 1/2) at Green Bay
Rivalry game and Packers on a short week.
PACKERS, 23-17
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Cleveland (plus 4) at Dallas
Jeff Garcia will carve up the Dallas defense if it plays as it did last week.
Tuna won’t let it.
COWBOYS, 20-14
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New York Jets (minus 3) at San Diego
Chad Pennington will carve up the San Diego defense and Marty Schottenheimer won’t be able to do anything about it.
JETS, 32-24
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Miami (plus 4 1/2) at Cincinnati
The Dolphins had to play early to avoid Hurricane Ivan last week and they’re supposed to get the remnants in Cincinnati Sunday.
It’s just not their year.
BENGALS, 26-16
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San Francisco (plus 7) at New Orleans
Speaking of Ivan … he forced the Saints to practice in San Antonio.
SAINTS, 17-7
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Seattle (minus 3) at Tampa Bay
The Seahawks flew to New Orleans and on now to Tampa. Air miles, jet lag and ….
SEAHAWKS, 20-9
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Houston (plus 3) at Detroit
The Lions haven’t started 2-0 since 2000.
LIONS, 24-19
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Buffalo (plus 3 1/2) at Oakland
Into the black hole.
RAIDERS, 15-14
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LAST WEEK: 9-7 (Spread), 12-4 (straight up)