Colts vs. Bengals: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

The Cincinnati Bengals could not be in a more different quarterback predicament than the Indianapolis Colts. They will be putting rookie Andy Dalton up against one of the oldest active QB's in the league in Kerry Collins.

Indy is hoping that they won't be using Collins come Week 1, and Cincy is hoping that Dalton continues to improve before his imminent opening week start.  

The Colts received a bit of good news when it was announced that Peyton Manning was removed from the PUP list on Monday afternoon.

Bad news is that they still will be without their starting QB for their preseason finale against the Bengals on Thursday.

Manning will be able to start practicing with the team but there is no timetable for his return to game action. He could still conceivably miss the season-opener against the Houston Texans on September 11^th.

PUP list players have until September 3^rd to be activated or be forced to sit the first six games of the regular season. The Colts would have been doomed without Manning for that long so they are going to hope he’s ready to go sooner than later.

The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping that their quarterback situation improves this next week as well.

If Andy ‘the Red Rifle’ Dalton can improve on his 11-of-17 for 130 yards and one TD performance from last week, the Bengals will be looking somewhere close to mediocre for the coming season.

This is a big improvement from the abysmal state many thought the team was going to be in earlier in the offseason. Dalton’s biggest mistakes last week were botched hand-offs and a terrible slide after a scramble. Will he be able to make these improvements against the Colts?

We will find out Thursday.

Where: Paul Brown Stadium

When: Thursday, 7:00 P.M. EST

Watch: Nationally televised on NFL Network. Streaming online at NFL.com ($9.99 for Preseason Package). Replay on NFL Network Sunday at 1:00 P.M. EST

Listen: Colts: Sirius XM Radio 134, 1070 AM The Fan. Bengals: Sirius XM Radio 88, ESPN 1530.

Colts’ Key Addition

Kerry Collins. If Manning is not ready to play the regular season, the hopes of Indy fans will rest on Collins’ shoulders. He is a very capable quarterback who helped lead the Tennessee Titans to a 13-3 record back in 2008 and can certainly still contribute on a good team like the Colts.

It will be interesting to see if Collins can pick up the system quickly and successfully lead this team in Manning’s absence.

Bengals’ Key Addition

Kelly Jennings. Cincy just acquired Jennings on Monday in a trade, giving up DT Clinton McDonald for him. Jennings is a former first-round pick and has five years of NFL experience with the Seahawks playing corner and special teams.

The Bengals lost star DB Johnathan Joseph this offseason and have signed Nate Clements and now made a move for Jennings to try to help fill the void. They need him to step up and perform in their weak secondary.

Colts’ Biggest Loss

Peyton Manning. While no one is sure Peyton’s status, if he misses even a single regular season game it would be devastating for the Colts. They play the division rival Houston Texans in Week 1 and picking up an early loss will put them in a hole. If Manning isn’t ready for the regular season, backup Kerry Collins will take over. He will be getting his first start with the team tonight.

Bengals’ Biggest Loss

Carson Palmer. The team pretty much forced their franchise QB to retire due to their ineptitude and have no real shot at competing this season. Dalton is going to be a solid NFL QB, but would have benefited from a year or two as Carson’s understudy.

What They’re Saying

Joe Reedy of Cincinnati.com is reporting that Andy Dalton has taken a liking to his ‘Red Rifle’ nickname. Bengals play-by-play man Dan Hoard coined it in the preseason matchup vs. Carolina and it looks like it may stick.

I think it’s a very fitting nickname for the young gunslinger.

Reggie Hayes of the News-Sentinel believes that the Colts need to change their traditional preseason strategy with Kerry Collins now in town.

The first-team Indy offense rarely, if ever, plays in the fourth preseason game and the team usually opts to let their clear-cut starters have some rest. They can’t afford to do that this week.

Collins needs to get at least a full half with his new team in order to gauge his effectiveness for the opener if he has to play.

Colts’ Player to Watch

While Kerry Collins is the most obvious choice here, make sure you check out the play from the rookies on the Colts’ offensive line. Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana should be getting plenty of snaps on Thursday and will be needed to perform at a high level. Manning cannot be taking hits when he gets back so look to see if these two guys can make sure he doesn’t.

Bengals Player to Watch

Kelly Jennings. We have seen Dalton all preseason prove that he is a decent quarterback, so let’s now see if Jennings can perform with his new team. As a relative disappointment in Seattle, will Kelly man up and live up to his potential in Cincy? Look for him to answer some of those questions beginning Thursday night.

Matchup to Watch

Pass rush vs. offensive line. Both teams need to evaluate how their offensive lines will hold up against a decent pass rush. With relative uncertainty for each club on their O-lines, it will be key for them to evaluate how they hold up against many established pass-rushing players.

Colts’ Position Battle

Wide receiver. Who is going to become Kerry Collins’ top target? With Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark to look for, Collins is not short of options. If he is going to start some games in the regular season, look for him to continue throwing at whomever he develops the most rapport with here.

Bengals’ Position Battle

Safety. The Bengals have struggled to get production out of their safety spots for years. They continue to get castoffs and guys who are washed up to fill the positions to no success. This year, Chris Crocker, Reggie Nelson, Tom Nelson, Gibril Wilson, Robert Sands and Taylor Mays are going to be battling for the two starting jobs.

Key Storyline

Veteran vs. rookie QB. Collins and Dalton are going to have the spotlight this week. Dalton is 23 years old, Collins is 38 years old and the two could not be at more different phases of their careers. It will be exciting to see who has a better game and gives their team more hope for the regular season, assuming Peyton Manning has to sit some time for his neck injury.

Prediction

Bengals 27, Colts 20

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