Today at 1:00 p.m. ET the Indianapolis Colts (4-2) will play host to the Cincinnati Bengals (3-1-1), who after opening the season 3-0 have had a bye week, a blowout loss and a tie. Watch the game on CBS or live stream it by clicking this link; Colts fans can listen to the radio broadcast on 1070 The Fan, while Bengals fans may do likewise on WLW 700.
The Bengals have cooled since that 3-0 start, but they are better equipped than most to defend against Andrew Luck, the hottest passer in the NFL. Cincinnati has had the No. 2 pass defense in the NFL according to FootballOutsiders.com. That should come in handy against Luck, who has thrown for less than 312 yards just once in 2014.
On the other hand, those defensive numbers account for their stellar first three weeks; their defense in general has been shaky in their past two outings, and head coach Marvin Lewis knows they must shore it up.
"We really have to go back and just do our jobs on defense," Lewis said. "We're trying to do too much, and guys need to relax and do their thing, and keep doing your job consistently play after play after play."
Meanwhile Colts coach Chuck Pagano believes Luck is essentially matchup-proof. "He's playing at a high level," Pagano told the Colts' official website. "He's always played at a high level. I think from his rookie season, midway through his rookie season until now, he's been doing the same things.
"He's a playmaker, he's a game-wrecker."
The Bengals rushing defense has been their main problem. They rank last against the run, which may be a boon for running back Trent Richardson who has shown signs of life in tandem with Ahmad Bradshaw. Richardson has handled much of the rushing duties, while Bradshaw's totaled five receiving scores.
Bengals Injury Report
Clint Boling
G
--
Did Not Participate In Practice
--
Andrew Whitworth
T
--
Did Not Participate In Practice
--
Marvin Jones
WR
--
Out (Definitely Will Not Play)
--
Adriel Green
WR
Toe
Did Not Participate In Practice
Doubtful
Emmanuel Lamur
LB
Shoulder
Did Not Participate In Practice
Doubtful
Brandon Thompson
DT
Knee
Did Not Participate In Practice
Doubtful
Rey Maualuga
LB
Hamstring
Did Not Participate In Practice
Out
Wallace Gilberry
DE
Eye
Full Participation in Practice
Probable
George Iloka
S
Groin
Full Participation in Practice
Probable
Mike Pollak
G
Knee
Full Participation in Practice
Probable
Andre Smith
T
Shoulder
Full Participation in Practice
Probable
Kevin Zeitler
G
Calf
Full Participation in Practice
Probable
Colts Injury Report
| Erik Walden | LB | -- | Full Participation in Practice | -- |
| Reggie Wayne | WR | -- | Full Participation in Practice | -- |
| Darius Butler | CB | Ankle | Did Not Participate In Practice | Out |
| Michael Adams | S | Ankle | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Gosder Cherilus | T | Knee | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Jack Mewhort | G | Ankle | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Hugh Thornton | G | Back | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Arthur Jones | DT | Ankle | Full Participation in Practice | Questionable |
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