Week 2 Game Preview - Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts will play host to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts are coming off a thumping at the hands of the Houston Texans (34-7) and they are looking to get things back on track in the first home game of the season. The Browns are coming off a struggle themselves as they lost at home against the Cincinnati Bengals (27-17) and they look to get their running game on track as they face Indianapolis who has struggled against the run. The Browns have a new coach in Pat Shurmur who was formerly with the St. Louis Rams as offensive coordinator for the past two seasons and they are looking for Shurmur to make a big splash in Cleveland. For Indianapolis they are trying to adjust to ‘life without Manning’ and it has been no easy task, Kerry Collins and the Indianapolis offense are struggling to find a rhythm but as they continue to work together they will build more chemistry.
A few notes for the game on Sunday:
The Indianapolis Colts have won the past 5 meetings between the two teams, with the past 3 games being really close defensive battles. The last meeting between the two was in 2008 where the Colts won 10-6. The previous four meetings:
2005- Colts 13, Browns 6
2003- Colts 9, Browns 6
2002- Colts 28, Browns 23
1999- Colts 29, Browns 28
The last time the Browns defeated the Colts was September 25, 1994 (Cleveland 21, Indianapolis 14)
The Indianapolis Colts have not began a season 0-2 since 1998
> Find Indianapolis Colts hats & Merchandise online through Pro Football Fans for all your team gear!
Rankings after week 1: Cleveland Browns (27 th) offense, (9 th) defense
Indianapolis Colts (28 th) offense, (20 th) defense
Key Matchups:
Peyton Hillis vs. Indianapolis defensive line
If Peyton Hillis averages more than 3.0 yards a carry it will be a long day for the Indianapolis defense. The Colts have truly struggled against the run and most teams know that so look for Hillis and the Browns to come in and pound the ball all game long.
Indianapolis offensive line vs. Cleveland defensive line
In order for the Colts to have success the offensive line must block effectively to give Collins time to find his receivers. If the Colts can protect Collins he is accurate enough to put the ball where his receivers will have a shot.
Keys to the Game:
Cleveland-Running Game
As with many teams the running game will set up the passing attack, for the Browns if they have success rushing against the Colts they will be limited in the passing game. The Browns will rely heavily on Peyton Hillis and will ask Colt McCoy to do what is necessary…manage the game.
Indianapolis-Chemistry
Just as important as running a solid route or making a key block the chemistry of a team cannot be overlooked. In week one the Colts seem to lack chemistry against the Houston Texans, they will be looking to generate solid chemistry which will lead to solid confidence.
Prediction:
The Colts are looking to get that home cooking in their first home game of the season, look for them to try and put points on the board early so the defense or namely Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis can cause many problems in the Cleveland back field, the problem will be putting points up early. This looks to be an entertaining and close game the Colts must hold Hillis to under 100 yards rushing for their chances of winning to increase. For Cleveland they must create at least two turnovers and produce a solid rushing attack to have a chance to win.
Cleveland 13, Indianapolis 20
By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer