Bring on the 9-0 Colts/merged threads

[derekshank]

We are all in agreement that this is the best secondary the Colts have faced right? The question is can Odell knock Edge on his A$$!

I've heard several analysts say we are the best CB combo in the league... so yes.. this is the best secondary they have faced.

We are also by far the best offense they will have faced... and they're giving up over 21 points a game over the last four games. They allowed 28 against St.Louis without Marc Bulger, and allowed 20 and 17 against Houston, who is averaging only 13.8 points/game.

We should be able to move the ball on them easily. This game will come down to mistakes... hopefully we'll force Manning to make some... because he's only thrown 6 INT's all season... and is quickly making his way back into the MVP talks. (104.6 passer rating)

[indybengalsfan72]

The Bengals are not getting a lot of love on the Colts message boards...Some think they will have their way with us on Sunday.

http://www2.indystar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125262

[Stripes]

The Bengals are not getting a lot of love on the Colts message boards...Some think they will have their way with us on Sunday.

http://www2.indystar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125262

I can't blame them for being confident. I was reading through the posts in that forum, and they sound a lot like we did before the Steelers game. Everyone will be looking for positives before a game, and that is all they are doing. They certainly have plenty of them, being 9-0.

[OrangeStripes]

Good Game but the final score should be... (just a hinch)

Bengals - 24

Colts - 21

[walzav29]

I'll tell you what I do know. They are a finesse team.Sacks and all are great, but I don't think they have a chance to go in and scare Cincy. Not with the division they play in, and also that Bear's defense was no push over. I think the Bengals can out physical these guys. Peyton is good, but he can be rattled. We'll definitely need to pressure him, and I hope that Keiwan, Deltha, and Tory hold up. What a matchup!

Another thing that will be funny is the 180' all of these hot shots will make after a Cincy win. We'll go from "played nobody" too They are for real and they may get homefield. Good Times!

[Whur CHad At?]

Chad is thinking about guarnteeing victory again...

Sort of Reminds me of KC in '03...

[Stripes]

Chad is thinking about guarnteeing victory again...

Normally this would annoy me, but I actually hope he does do it this week. What are we when he does that, 2-0? Might as well give that trend a test. Yeah, sure it would give the Colts some bulletin board material, but wouldn't it fire the Bengals up as well? They'd all play hard to make sure that such a brash statement becomes a reality and doesn't come back to embarass them all in the end.

[LolaMoon]

We are all in agreement that this is the best secondary the Colts have faced right? The question is can Odell knock Edge on his A$$!

I've heard several analysts say we are the best CB combo in the league... so yes.. this is the best secondary they have faced.

We are also by far the best offense they will have faced... and they're giving up over 21 points a game over the last four games. They allowed 28 against St.Louis without Marc Bulger, and allowed 20 and 17 against Houston, who is averaging only 13.8 points/game.

We should be able to move the ball on them easily. This game will come down to mistakes... hopefully we'll force Manning to make some... because he's only thrown 6 INT's all season... and is quickly making his way back into the MVP talks. (104.6 passer rating)

Actually, the Bengals are not the best offense the Colts would have faced this year. The Rams and New England could be brought up for discussion here. Why?

Total offense

Cincinnati #5

St. Louis #3

New England #7

(Indy #2)

Passing offense

Cincinnati #7

St. Louis #4

New England #2

(Indy #8)

Rushing offense

Cincinnati #15

St. Louis #20

New England #29

(Indy #6)

Receiving

Cincinnati #6

St. Louis #3

New England #5

(Indy #9)

Scoring

Cincinnati #9

St. Louis #7

New England #10

(Indy #1)

You say the Colts gave up 28 points against the Rams without Bulger... you do know that 17 of those 28 points were scored when Bulger was in that game? When the Colts intecepted Marc... Marc went in to block and was hurt by extending his shoulder out to block. The other touchdown was in the very end of the game. Even with the Rams being without Bulger, Holt and Bruce for 3 weeks or more... they are still statistically a better offense than the Bengals. The Bengals are statistically a better offense than the Patriots in most areas... but, it is pretty close except in the rushing department.

It is very true that the Colts will be facing a very good Bengals team. No one is trying to dispute that. But, saying that the Bengals are the first real offense the Colts have played is a little ill informed... it is not the first real test the Colts have faced. Believe me.

The Colts have given up more points since week 6.... 86 points to be exact... but, 49 of those points were given up by the #3 and #7 ranked offenses in the NFL... 37 of those 86 were from the Texans... avg. 18.5 points a game. which is less than 3 touchdowns a game. What you also have to look at is... the Colts have scored 154 points in those games also.... a 38.5 avg. per game. IMO, that is a comfortable difference.

The Bengals however have allowed 73 points since week 6... less than the Colts of course... but have only scored 86 points. I would not be too happy with how close those numbers are.

The Bengals are the most balanced team the Colts have faced this year... ranked #5 on offense and #15 on defense. So, that will be the biggest test... not playing a powerful offense.

I will be here all week to chat about the up-coming game. It should be a good one. I expect nothing less than a hard fought game by both teams... and if the Colts do lose... I will be here to say the better team won. If the Colts win... I will not rub it in... but, I will give my opinion on the game either way.

[Stripes]

I will be here all week to chat about the up-coming game. It should be a good one. I expect nothing less than a hard fought game by both teams... and if the Colts do lose... I will be here to say the better team won. If the Colts win... I will not rub it in... but, I will give my opinion on the game either way.

Good deal.

This should be a very good game, the lines in Vegas have opened at -4 Colts, about as expected. The Colts certainly look to be the better team coming into this game, so homefield is the only thing riding in the Bengals favor. I think we can certainly win this game, and I hope we do, I'll be there!

Either way, let's hope there are no injuries on either side, and we can have a playoff rematch (Preferably to be held in Cincinnati).

[NYBengalfan]

[.

I will be here all week to chat about the up-coming game. It should be a good one. I expect nothing less than a hard fought game by both teams... and if the Colts do lose... I will be here to say the better team won. If the Colts win... I will not rub it in... but, I will give my opinion on the game either way.

[jjakq27]

Michael Irvin actually had some positive Bengal-love going on yesterday. During the pregame last night, he sparred with Jaworski about having Seattle (at #5?) ahead of the Bengals on his list. Jaws said it is his list and that's who he picked.

Not that we need that guy's endorsement but it sure is better than, the "whoa, ho, ho...same old Bengals" stuff he used to spew in Marvin's first year.

[derekshank]

Actually, the Bengals are not the best offense the Colts would have faced this year. The Rams and New England could be brought up for discussion here.

They could... but it would be very misleading. I've heard several analysts state that the Bengals have the most balanced offense in the league. You can find stats that show that the Rams and Pats have better offenses than the Bengals... but that would be ill-informed, because of the defenses of those teams.

In terms of scoring defense, the Rams are the 31st in the league, and the Pats are 27th. In order to be in games, these teams must get as many yards and points as possible. The Bengals on the other hand are 3rd in the league in scoring defense, so we attempt to control the clock rather than run up the score, and get a bunch of yards.

You say the Colts gave up 28 points against the Rams without Bulger... you do know that 17 of those 28 points were scored when Bulger was in that game? When the Colts intercepted Marc... Marc went in to block and was hurt by extending his shoulder out to block. The other touchdown was in the very end of the game.

Fair enough. I watched that game... and remembered Bulger leaving that game early. I made a comment without going back and doing my research, point taken. But I still think my point stands. With Bulger in the game, the Rams went up 17-0 in a very short amount of time. The Rams have a good offense... but not that good. Some of it was fluky... but not enough to make me think that the Colts are as good as the media wants to claim they are.

The Bengals are the most balanced team the Colts have faced this year... ranked #5 on offense and #15 on defense. So, that will be the biggest test... not playing a powerful offense.

I appreciate that from you. I live in Indiana... so I have a bad taste in my mouth about the Colts. Most of the people I work with are talking an undefeated season (which I just don't think is feasible), and saying that the game won't even be close... that Manning will exploit our over-rated defense, and that Freeney will have Palmer playing from the fetal position... so really, thanks for some respect.

I'm not a big-time homer (at least I don't think I am), but can be a bit touchy about the Colts subject... so I apologize if I came across as arrogant. I, like you, think it will be a very good game... in fact, too close to predict. It will probably come down to who makes the fewest mistakes... because these two teams have much more similarities than dissimilarities.

If I'm honest... I do think the Colts are a bit over-rated... but I can't take anything away from being 9-0. Congrats on the good season so far. But I do hope it comes to an end this week... or else I won't want to go to work for the rest of the season.

[HoosierCat]

With Bulger in the game, the Rams went up 17-0 in a very short amount of time. The Rams have a good offense... but not that good. Some of it was fluky... but not enough to make me think that the Colts are as good as the media wants to claim they are.

The Rams were successful early with the downfield passing game. Ditto the Pats early in their game vs. the Colts. The bottom line is that Indy is vulnerable through the air: yes, their pass D ranks 8th vs. ours at 10th -- in terms of yards. However, there is a big chink in that armor: while the Bengals are allowing opponents to complete 58% of passes (9th in the league), Indy is allowing a 65% completion rate, 29th in the league.

If the o-line can protect Palmer, Carson could have a huge day.

[Stripes]

If the o-line can protect Palmer, Carson could have a huge day.

And that becomes the $64,000 question. We all know what that Colts defensive line is capable of, and we also know that our offensive line is one of the best in football. Still, we have been prone to giving up sacks to fast defensive ends, and both Freeney and Mathis are speed players. I think Palmer will have time to throw for the most part, but there may be some key sacks in the mix.

[BengalNation1281]

Bengals 27

Colts 24

8-2, with a thrashing of Baltimore to look forward to on the 27th.

WHO DEY

[schweinhart]

The biggest wildcard IMO for this one is how much will Brat be slobbering all over himself and what consequences that will have for the playcalling.

Hopefully, they stick to the Power I, be it Rudi or Perry in the back this time around. The reason is that would force the Colts to commit to 7 or 8 in the box.

Go 7 and run....Colts won't stop it any more than any other team has this year.

Go 8 and pass....Colts won't stop it any more than any other teams has this year.

Some misdirection ought to work in this game because of the speed of the Colts LBs, the aggressive tendencies of the Colts safeties, and the quickness of the D-line. An end around here, a naked bootleg rollout there, a shovel pass at the right time, and an outside screen now and again all should have success against this defense.

Bengals 34

Colts 24

[walshfan]

Play action will freeze their defense also....Rudi will have gaps too.

Look for the young cats to step up Perry and Henry..

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

People say the Bengals haven't beaten anyone with a winning record yet, well here's a stat for you that shows the unequal treatment with our opponent this weekend.

Indianapolis is 9-0, but has beaten only two teams with winning records.

[walshfan]

I dont have to see their records to know that the Bengals and the Colts are good teams.. Ive watched them both play enough to know they are for real..

[duus]

People say the Bengals haven't beaten anyone with a winning record yet, well here's a stat for you that shows the unequal treatment with our opponent this weekend.

Indianapolis is 9-0, but has beaten only two teams with winning records.

With respect to games/outcomes of the better AFC teams against other teams with winning records (i.e. record against teams with 'above .500' record):

Bengals: 1-2

Broncos: 6-1

Steelers: 2-2

Colts: 2-0

Jaguars: 3-2

As you can see, the Bengals are the only team with a losing record against such opponents. Boy, I did not actually realize how impressive the Broncos have been! Ugh. In any case, I would argue more that the Steelers record is not very impressive as compared to the Bengals, but then again they beat the Bengals and that is all that really matters in the end. Again, this fact highlights how critical it is for the Bengals to somehow find a way to beat the Steelers on 12/4. Although I truly want to beat both the Colts and Steelers, I still contend that I would readily lose to the Colts if I could know we would beat the Steelers on 12/4. To be honest, I would much rather the Colts continue their streak (i.e. beat the Bengals AND Steelers), but have us beat the Steelers. With that, the Colts would get the #1 seed and we would probably get the North and maybe the #2 seed. The odds of the Bengals getting the #1 seed are remote, and having the Steelers get that would spell disaster on the Bengals season. I would much rather like to see the Bengals go to Indy in the playoffs than to Pittsburgh. I really would like those odds. Again ... 12/4 game is THE GAME. PERIOD.

[Stripes]

12/4 game is THE GAME. PERIOD.

Yes it is indeed. I think coming into the season, we all realized the games against the Steelers would be the difference makers in deciding who takes home the division crown.

As for the Broncos being 6-1 against winning teams this season, WOW. I had no idea this was the case. Just yesterday I was complaining about them constantly being ranked second in power polls, but it is hard to argue with those numbers. It kinda makes me wish we could play them this season, we always match up well with them.

[duus]

12/4 game is THE GAME. PERIOD.

Yes it is indeed. I think coming into the season, we all realized the games against the Steelers would be the difference makers in deciding who takes home the division crown.

As for the Broncos being 6-1 against winning teams this season, WOW. I had no idea this was the case. Just yesterday I was complaining about them constantly being ranked second in power polls, but it is hard to argue with those numbers. It kinda makes me wish we could play them this season, we always match up well with them.

Broncos first 9 games:

@ Miami - L (34-10)

San Diego - W (20-17)

Kansas City - W (30-10)

@ Jacksonville - W (20-7)

Washington - W (21-19)

New England - W (28-20)

@ New York Giants - L (24-23)

Philadelphia - W (49-21)

@ Oakland - W (31-17)

Got to give them credit. They are winning, and doing it by putting up at least 20 points in every game. Back to that old theory that if you put up 21 points a game, your going to be just fine. Outside of that first game, their only loss is that horrible game in NY. They should not have lost that one. In any case, perhaps we can rest on the fact that the Broncos have had a horrible record the second half of the schedule over the recent years.