2:15 p.m., Colts by 6
Last meeting
Colts won 28-21 at Indianapolis on Oct. 6, 2002
Who knew
How much do their fellow NFL players appreciate Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison? Bengals QB Carson Palmer and WR Chad Johnson drove to Indy last year to sit in the stands on a Monday night so they could witness the two in action.
Spotlight on: Chad Johnson
Talk about good genes. Johnson has two cousins who’ve done all right for themselves in the NFL – Cowboys WR Keyshawn Johnson and Ravens CB Samari Rolle. Four years ago, Chad was the Other Johnson to Keyshawn, but no more. In Chad’s first four NFL seasons, he caught 28, 69, 90 and 95 passes. You knew that trend couldn’t continue and, sure enough, Johnson’s production is down this season. He’s on pace for only 94 catches. With Marvin Harrison having reached his 33rd birthday, Johnson and Palmer could be the game’s most lethal passing combination in the second half of the decade. Not only that, Johnson could be the best quote in the league.
Etc.
You don’t imagine ABC would like to have the Bengals and Colts on Monday night instead of the Vikings and Packers, do you? Nah, didn’t think so. … Tony Dungy 3-0 career vs. Cincy. But then, those were your father’s Bengals. … Colts’ offense numero uno in the Not For Long at 372 yards per. Bengals, meanwhile, are third at 360. … Colts 22-7 on the road under Dungy. … Peyton Manning has completed 74-plus pct. of his passes in six of past seven games. … Bengals aiming for 8-2 start. Last time they went there, team won AFC title and advanced to Super Bowl in 1988. … Johnson leads AFC in receiving yards with 808, ranks second to Indy’s Reggie Wayne with 53 catches. … Cincy a league-leading plus-20 in turnovers, Colts a mere plus-7. … Bengals getting big contributions from young players. Rookie LB Odell Thurman leads all rooks with four INTs.
Prediction: Colts 31, Bengals 27
