Colts vs. Rams: NFL Preseason TV Schedule, Radio, Game Time and More

Where: Edward Jones Dome, home of the St. Louis Rams

When: Saturday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. EST

Watch: WNDY in Indianapolis, KTVI FOX 2 Sports in St. Louis, NFL.com Online Preseason Streaming Package ($19.99), NFL Network Replay Aug. 14 at 10 p.m. EST

Hear: 97.1 Hank FM, 1070 AM The Fan in Indianapolis. 101.1 FM WXOS in St. Louis

Everyone is anxious for NFL Preseason football to kick off, but Colts fans have more to worry about than any other fanbase. Peyton Manning is still recovering from offseason neck surgery and will not participate in preseason action.

All hope is lost if Manning can’t suit up Week 1, so do not expect to see Peyton much, if at all, this preseason.

The Colts are hoping to get back to the postseason and continue their AFC South dominance, but the Houston Texans are lurking in the shadows. This preseason will prove to be the most important in Colts franchise history as they need everyone to get on point with Manning on the mend.

St. Louis Rams have as much promise as any young team in the league as they are led by future elite quarterback Sam Bradford. Entering his sophomore season, Bradford is looking to continue his accelerated progression Saturday by putting his arm strength, pocket awareness, field vision and sniper-like accuracy on full display.

Head coach Steve Spagnuolo put together a fine draft and offseason—much better than the Colts’. In a wide open wild, wild NFC West division, the Rams are looking to get clicking Saturday to make sure they are in prime position to dominate in September.

In a post-lockout offseason, this year’s preseason will be a true testament to these men’s abilities and dedication.

Colts Key Addition: Tommie Harris, DT

Everyone will look to linebacker Ernie Sims who bolsters Indianapolis’ linebacker corps, but former Bears defensive tackle of destruction Tommie Harris deserves the nod here.

Harris was once the most promising DT in the game and will benefit from playing between Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

With his presence up front, the Colts will employ one of the most lethal defensive lines and control the pace of each game. He is just 28 years old with 28.5 career sacks and five forced fumbles, so an Indianapolis renaissance looks promising.

Rams Key Addition: Mike Sims-Walker, WR

Spagnuolo went all out in the 2011 Draft to provide Bradford with a host of targets, but their free agent acquisition Mike Sims-Walker will instantly become the No. 1 option. He is coming off back-to-back seven-touchdown campaigns and will thrive with Sammy B as his QB.

Sims-Walker is on a one-year deal looking to prove his worth to the NFL world, so he will be highly motivated to perform above and beyond his abilities.

With his natural talents, size, footwork and separation skills, he will enjoy the best season of his career working with one of the most accurate QBs in the league.

For fantasy owners looking for a hidden gem, grab Sims-Walker in the later rounds of your draft and reap the benefits from a 1,000-yard plus and double-digit touchdown campaign.

Colts Biggest Loss: Bob Sanders, SS

Indianapolis prematurely cut ties with beloved safety Bob Sanders prior to the lockout. They were foolish to let go of the oft-injured veteran safety considering he is one of the premier defensive players in the league when healthy.

Sanders is a one of the elite run-stoppers in the NFL and would contend for Defensive Player of the Year honors when healthy. I understand the injury concerns, but they are impossible to prepare for.

It would have benefited the Colts greatly to restructure his deal and retain his services.

Rams Biggest Loss: Chris Hovan, DT

Spagnuolo knows more than any other head coach in the league the importance of a dominant defensive line considering he has a Super Bowl ring coaching New York Giants’ highly gifted offensive line for years.

Veteran Hovan may be in the twilight of his career and losing his effectiveness, but would have been a quality mentor and space eater in the middle of the defensive line.

Spagnuolo’s defense would have benefitted from utilizing him as part of a rotation. This young defense needs veterans to inflict knowledge, but also needs credible defensive tackles to create havoc in the NFC West.

What They’re Saying:

All eyes are on Manning’s recovery, but elite TE Dallas Clark is also returning from wrist injury. He is expected to wear a brace all season, but it is not expected to hamper his abilities on the field.

"They say it's a year recovery...so I've got a few months before that. I seriously have not felt it or it hasn't given me any reason to idle back on practice. It's been great. So far, so good,’” according to Clark per Indianapolis Stars’ Mike Chappell.

Bill Coats of St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that RB Steven Jackson is enjoying the best preseason, health-wise, since coming into the league. "’I feel great,’ he [Jackson] said. ‘Tip-top condition, my strength is there...(I'm) not worried if something is going to let up on me. The timidness of my game is gone...again. It feels good,’” according to Jackson per Coats.

What’s Worth Watching:

The Colts went into the offseason with the No. 1 goal to protect Manning. They drafted Anthony Castonzo and Benjamin Ijalana in the first and second rounds of the 2011 draft.

These two rookies will be asked to make major contributions to a declining offensive line. If they can solidify the unit with Manning on the mend, all will be well in Indianapolis.

The Rams’ defense was stout last year and will be much better this season with James Laurinaitis joined by freakish pass-rusher Robert Quinn. Quinn was the No. 14 overall in the 2011 draft.

He has exceptional speed and instincts and can line up at defensive end or outside linebacker. Keep your eye on this duo Saturday and the entire season. He recently passed his physical after opening camp with a knee injury but is expected to be fine.

Biggest Storyline:

Given Manning’s absence, it’s all about the backup quarterbacks—Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky. Neither man is good, but needs this playing time more than anybody else in the league.

Manning’s backup used to be the easiest job on the planet, but there’s reason to be concerned this year.

It’s all about Bradford’s accelerated development. His ascendance last year was downright preposterous—he should have never been that good. If he had a capable receiver, the Rams would have surely won the NFC West.

Now with a host of receivers at his disposal in Sims-Walker, Austin Pettis, Lance Kendricks and Greg Salas, the Rams’ offense will take flight.

For more exhilarating NFL analysis, check out Bleacher Report’s dedicated NFL page! Also check out Bleacher Report’s dedicated Indianapolis Colts page and St. Louis Rams page.

For more analysis on the Colts, take a look at Bleacher Report Featured Columnist David Allison’s Colts Camp Battles.

For more analysis on the Rams, dive into Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Steven Gerwel’s Rams Training Camp Report.

Brandon Galvin is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist and Syndicated Writer. 

2011 NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule
Thursday, August 11	Time (EST), TV
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots	7:30 PM
Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles	7:30 PM
Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers	8:00 PM, ESPN
Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys	8:30 PM
Arizona Cardinals at Oakland Raiders	10:00 PM

Friday, August 12	Time (EST), TV
Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington Redskins	7:30 PM
Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons	7:30 PM
Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions	7:30 PM
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs	8:00 PM, FOX
San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints	8:00 PM

Saturday, August 13	Time (EST), TV
Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns	7:30 PM, NFL
Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans	8:00 PM
Indianapolis Colts at St. Louis Rams	8:00 PM
New York Giants at Carolina Panthers	8:00 PM
Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears	8:00 PM

Monday, August 15	Time (EST), TV
New York Jets at Houston Texans	8:00 PM, ESPN