Browns at Colts
THE STORY: The Indianapolis Colts are is serious trouble without four-time MVP Peyton Manning. Even a matchup against the bumbling Cleveland Browns might not be enough to help Indianapolis avoid its worst start since Manning's rookie season of 1998. Kerry Collins and the Colts seek to rebound from the franchise’s worst season-opening loss in 25 years with a sixth straight win over the visiting Browns. The Colts predictably struggled without Manning (neck surgery) in a 34-7 loss to the Houston Texans. The Browns sputtered to a 27-17 loss to the lowly Cincinnati Bengals in Pat Shurmur’s coaching debut.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET; LINE: Browns -1.5 O/U 40
ABOUT THE COLTS (0-1): Indianapolis insists that last week’s loss was a “total team effort." Still, Colts' fans have to be discouraged by the performance of the Collins-led offense. Collins, who was lured out of retirement, fumbled three times and Indianapolis managed just 236 yards. The defense, which is built to play with a lead, will be without linebacker Gary Brackett (shoulder), who has already been ruled out for the contest.
ABOUT THE BROWNS (0-1): Cleveland also suffered an embarrassing setback, but for different reasons. Cincinnati scored the go-ahead touchdown when the Browns were slow in breaking the huddle. Shurmur originally thought it was an illegal play, but has since changed his stance. The botched play wasn’t the only reason Cleveland lost its season opener for the 11th time in 12 years, but it was emblematic of its recent history. RB Peyton Hillis will try to bounce back after averaging just 3.4 yards per carry last week.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. “They caught the whole organization asleep on that one.” – Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, on Cincinnati’s go-ahead touchdown.
2. Collins (40,638) passed Hall of Famer Joe Montana (40,551) for 10th on the all-time passing yards list.
3. Colts WR Reggie Wayne needs six catches to reach 800 for his career.