Cleveland Browns vs Indianapolis Colts: TV Info, Over/Under, Spread, Predictions

At one point during the preseason, experts had high hopes for both the Indianapolis Colts (0-1) and the Cleveland Browns (0-1).

So much for that, as these teams both look like sub .500 teams.

With Peyton Manning out, and Kerry Collins in, this game loses a lot of it's luster.

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)

When: September 18, 1:00 PM ET

Watch: CBS, DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel 708

Over/Under: 40

Did you watch these teams last week? Enough said.

Neither offense could get anything going, and it certainly wasn't because of the caliber of defense they were playing.

The Colts put up an embarrassing seven points with Kerry Collins at the helm against the Houston Texans. Maybe the Texans defense improve from last year, but I'm not buying this much of an improvement. They gave up 52 touchdowns last season and over 4,000 yards passing.

Things didn't go much better for the Browns who lost at home to the lowly Cincinnati Bengals. Colt McCoy completed less than 50 percent of his passes against a secondary who replaced their No. 1 cornerback from last season with a San Francisco 49ers reject in Nate Clements.

Expect this one to be a low-scoring affair, and while 40 is quite low for an over/under, bet the under with confidence.

Spread (Cleveland Browns -3)

This is one of the tougher games of the week to predict, but the edge has to go to the Cleveland Browns due to their ability to run the ball.

Peyton Hillis struggled last week, only rushing for 57 yards, but he has the potential to explode this week. The Browns have to realize that their best chance at winning the game is to pound the ball with Hillis, and take the pressure off of McCoy, who threw the ball 40 times last week.

Kerry Collins is still looking to learn the offense for the Colts, so the team's playbook will still be limited this week. To go with a struggling pass attack, the team has no run game.

The Colts have struggled running the ball on a consistent basis since they lost Edgerrin James. Don't expect that to change this week.

Key Injuries

The key injury in this game is obviously Peyton Manning. With Manning out of the game, the Colts will struggle to throw the ball effectively, and are essentially a completely different team.

It appears that the Colts linebacking corps will also be a bit thin as both Gary Brackett and Ernie Sims appear in line to miss the contest.

The Browns' Tony Pashos did not practice Wednesday and will more than likely be a game-time decision for this game. Losing him for a second game would be a big blow to an offensive line that loves to pound behind the right side.

Fantasy Big Plays

Peyton Hillis (Start 'em)

Ben Tate ran all over the Colts defense last week, and it would be expected that Hillis will do the same. Tate ran for 116 yards and a touchdown in his first career game as a starting running back.

With a depleted linebacking corps, Hillis may find it easy getting to the second level of the Colts run defense, which will eventually lead to a breakout run.

Some may be scared off after his abysmal performance last week, but this week will be a bounceback one for the Madden cover boy.

Reggie Wayne (Start 'em)

Despite Kerry Collins at quarterback last week, it appears that Reggie Wayne will still be a valuable fantasy option. Don't expect many other options in the Colts passing game outside of Wayne and Dallas Clark, though.

Wayne hauled in seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown last week. Look for Collins to use Wayne as his safety net week in and week out.

Feel comfortable with Wayne in your lineup again this week.

Keys to Browns Win

The Browns need to run the ball, plain and simple. If they can pound the ball and wear down the Colts defensive line, this victory will come easy.

If they get pass happy like they did last week, they are going to struggle again.

The Browns will also look to force Kerry Collins to beat them. As mentioned previously, Collins doesn't have a full grasp on the playbook and is way past his prime. They don't want to give up any big plays on the run or through the air, so look for the team to take away the big play and force Collins to beat them.

Keys to Colts Win

The Indianapolis Colts also need to find a way to pick up productive yardage on the ground. They can't afford to let Collins throw the ball every other play. They need to maintain possession of the ball, and keep their defense off the field.

Defensively, the Colts need to contain the run. If they let Hillis run wild, their offense won't get many opportunities, and their defense will get worn out.

Prediction

Cleveland Browns 20
Indianapolis Colts 13