A 0-5 start for the Indianapolis Colts has already gotten the Andrew Luck talk started, as Colts everywhere fans are dreaming of drafting another franchise quarterback to lead their team for the next ten years. However, this team is still battling on the field. They may have blown a 17-point lead to the Kansas City Chiefs last week, but if Curtis Painter continues to progress, the Colts will be competitive in most games.
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The Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) are tied for second in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The defense continues to carry the team, particularly on the defensive line, but rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has made just enough plays to win them games, while fellow rookie, wide receiver AJ Green, has shown flashes of being the No. 1 wide receiver that they envisioned when they drafted him. If the defense continues to shine and Dalton plays mistake free football, the Bengals will lurk as a sleeper in the AFC playoff picture.
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1) Colts Offensive Line vs. Bengals Defensive Line
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The Colts have been forced to shuffle their offensive line in recent weeks, and they will face a tough Bengals pass rush in this one. Right tackle Quinn Ojinnaka was thrust into the lineup last week and was average given the circumstances (-1.7), but this week he will be lined up opposite defensive end Carlos Dunlap (+14.2). Despite not registering a sack, Dunlap has been torturing right tackles all season with 14 pressures and five quarterback hits.
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On the other side of the line, Jeff Linkenbach (-10.7) made his first start at left tackle last week and held his own against pass rush specialist Tamba Hali (one pressure). It was a surprising effort given Linkenbach’s struggles this season and he will be challenged again this week by right end Michael Johnson (+4.3).
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At defensive tackle, the Bengals have a good blend with Domato Peko stopping the run (leads all defensive tackles with 13 Stops) and Geno Atkins rushing the passer (+4.8 Pass Rush). Colts guards Joe Reitz and Mike Pollak will have their hands full as well.
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2) Curtis Painter vs. Andy Dalton
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While the battle in the trenches will be fun to watch, this game may come down to decision making and execution by two young quarterbacks. Andy Dalton has been rather average, but he has lead the Bengals to comeback wins in each of the last two weeks. Hurt by 14 drops on the season, Dalton boasts a 70.9 accuracy percentage, which is good for 14th in the league.
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When all is said and done, Curtis Painter is essentially a rookie, especially when considering the reported lack of practice time he has received as Peyton Manning’s apprentice for the last three years. He clearly does not have the same command as Manning at the line of scrimmage (who does?), but Painter was able to recognize the single high safety looks last week and he made the Chiefs pay with some beautifully thrown deep balls. He even showed a little veteran savvy by moving two defenders with a pump fake to open up a 67 yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon. Painter still has a ways to go and his situation is a lot like Matt Cassel’s when he replaced Tom Brady in 2008. Cassel continued to improve every week and if Painter makes similar strides, the Colts’ front office may have an asset on their hands.
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3) Dwight Freeney vs. Andrew Whitworth
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Dwight Freeney is still going strong in his 10th season in the league, while left tackle Andrew Whitworth is just starting to make a name for himself. Freeney (+9.8) has four sacks to go along with 13 pressures and two quarterback hits this season. It may be concerning that much of his production came against a terrible Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line, but he still possesses the first step quickness to strike fear into opposing left tackles. Freeney has had multiple plays this season where he meets the quarterback right at the top of his drop, proving that he hasn’t lost a step even in year 10.
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Whitworth was our top offensive tackle last season and he currently ranks second this year (+7.3). He gave up his first sack of the season last week to John Chick on a Freeney-esque speed rush. It was a minor blip for Whitworth who has only given up one other quarterback hit and five pressures. In last season’s battle, Freeney beat Whitworth on an early spin move before sealing the game with a sack on the speed rush. It was one of only three sacks surrendered by Whitworth on the year. This weekend will be a battle of two of the best in the NFL.
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