Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins, FedEX Field, Landover, MD
Sunday, October 17, 2010, 5:20 pm EST, TV: NBC
Opening Line: Colts -4
Current Line: Colts -3
Opening Total: 44.5
Current Total: 44
Money Line: Colts -170 / Redskins +150
The Washington Redskins (3-2) have not been overly impressive so far this season, but they still have the same record as the Indianapolis Colts (3-2) heading into their Sunday Night Football matchup. The Redskins have found ways to beat Dallas and Green Bay at home while losing a tough overtime game to Houston there while the favored Colts (-3 on the current NFL odds) look to win in back-to-back weeks for the second time this season.
Indianapolis has dropped two of its first three road games but is coming off a 19-9 home win against previously unbeaten Kansas City last week. The Colts grinded out the victory and did not score a touchdown until third-string running back Mike Hart plowed into the end zone on an 11-yard run with 4:02 remaining in the game.
Indy quarterback Peyton Manning failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season against the Chiefs, completing 26 of 44 passes for 244 yards with an interception. But Manning will be facing a Washington defense that ranks 30th against the pass, surrendering 298 yards per game. The Redskins as a whole rank last in the NFL defensively, giving up over 410 yards per game. Manning is still tied for the league lead in touchdown passes with 11 and third in passing yards with 1,609, so he should be more than ready to take advantage of this situation.
Meanwhile, Washington’s three wins have been much different than their two losses from a defensive perspective. The Redskins have allowed only one touchdown in each of their wins while the opposition has scored 30 points against them in each of their losses.
Donovan McNabb has played well for Washington under center so far this season, although he has thrown at least one interception in each of the last three games and has not tossed more than one touchdown pass in any game. McNabb is hoping the emergence of a couple young players will help improve the Redskins offense, as running back Ryan Torain and wide receiver Anthony Armstrong have seen increased roles.
Torain has assumed the starting role with Clinton Portis out with a groin injury for at least the next month. He rushed for 40 yards on 16 carries in a 16-13 overtime win against the Packers last week while Armstrong had three catches for 84 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown.
Washington has won the last five home meetings with Indianapolis, but McNabb has lost in two previous games against the Colts. Manning is 2-1 lifetime against the Redskins.
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