NFL Predictions Week 2: Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts Preview

The Indianapolis Colts enter tomorrow's game against the Cleveland Browns in unfamiliar territory.  They're the underdog at home for the the second time since 2000.

The Cleveland Browns come into Lucas Oil 0-1 after a disappointing loss at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals.  The Browns didn't look like they could do anything right.  They even had troubles getting out of a huddle on defense, which led to a touchdown for uncovered rookie receiver A.J. Green.

The Browns will try and use their strength in the running game behind the legs of Peyton Hillis.  The Browns will look at what the Texans did to the Colts last week and will try and exploit that even more, especially since Indianapolis will be without defensive captain linebacker Gary Brackett and his backup Ernie Sims, who both were injured in last week's loss.

The Colts will will try and turn the defense around and get the offense going with better schemes for quarterback Kerry Collins to get better protection.

Key Matchups

Indianapolis Passing Game against Clevelands' Pass Protection

Let's state the obvious here, the Browns' defense is nothing like the Texans'.  Houston brought different looks and blitzed liked crazy.

Cleveland's defense will be nothing like that.  Their defense is so basic, and they won't bring any confusing looks tomorrow.  Cleveland got a new coaching staff this offseason with new head coach Pat Shurmur and defensive coordinator Dick Jauron.  With no offseason, due to the lockout, the players haven't adjusted yet to the new system, so they won't be pulling out any tricks.

The Colts will keep Collins in more of a 5-7 step drop and hope to get him looks out of the shotgun, so expect a big day tomorrow for Collins.

With the lack of star power on the Browns' defense, I think the Colts will have no problems with the offense tomorrow.

Cleveland Rushing Game vs. Indianapolis Rush Defense

Indianapolis had no stop for Houston's run game last week.  I think Peyton Hillis is just as good if not better than the Texans backs.  The big powerful back is as good as it gets in this league right now.  As stated earlier, the Colts are without two key defensive stoppers.

That all sounds bad, but I think the Colts will stop Hillis Sunday and here's why.

The Browns have a bit of a line problem like the Colts.  The Browns only had 83 yards rushing last week against a bad Bengals team.  The Colts will stack the box and force Colt McCoy to beat them.  Last week, they couldn't stack the box or bring extra people to stop the run because of the fear Texans quarterback Matt Schaub would expose the weakness of the Colts' secondary.

McCoy isn't Matt Schaub.  He was only 19-for-40 last week.  McCoy doesn't scare the Colts or me, either.  I think the Colts bring a ton of people at the ball and force McCoy to throw.  If he is going to be as off as he was last week, the Colts will be in good shape.

Special Teams

The Cleveland Browns have one of the best kick/punt returners in all the NFL in Josh Cribbs.  If Cleveland is going to beat Indianapolis, Cribbs will need to break big returns and give the Browns great field position.  That being said, Pat McAfee needs to kick the ball out of the end zone on kickoffs and punt towards the sidelines on punts.

Colts Fans vs. Cleveland Browns

I'm calling out Colts fans now.  This team needs you to be there early and loud and proud.  The lack of support from callers all week talking about jumping ship and wanting to lose on purpose for a chance at Andrew Luck is absurd.  I've been to the one-o'clock early games in Lucas Oil and the RCA Dome.  Most of the crowd is still sleeping until the fourth quarter.

My plea for fans tomorrow is WAKE UP.  Be loud and make it impossible to hear like you do on prime time games.  Every game for us this year needs to be prime time atmosphere.  On defense, everyone needs to be standing and making noise.  You do on Sunday/Monday night games, but the last 10 years in early games, everyone is usually sitting down until the team needs you to be loud.

Newsflash: They need you now every down.  You can win this game for the Colts.

Prediction

The Colts haven't started 0-2 since 1998 and haven't lost to the Browns since 1994.  Don't look for that to change anytime soon.  The Colts have too many weapons and stars.  It's not next man up, it's time to man-up.

Colts 24, Browns 20