NFL Predictions Week 6: Why Bengals Will Add to Colts' Misery

If someone told me the Cincinnati Bengals would defeat the Indianapolis Colts before this season started, I would have probably started running in circles and grasping for some form of sanity.

Even when it was declared Peyton Manning wouldn't be starting the season for the Colts, these were the Bengals. This was a team that was supposed to be the worst team in the NFL.

Oh, how things have changed.

Five games into the season, the Bengals are in the top 20 of most power rankings with a rookie quarterback and a rookie receiver.

How have the Bengals managed to go 3-2 so far?

Well, for one, their defense is legit in all the right areas, giving up 18.8 points per game, allowing 191 passing yards per game and ceding only 3.2 yards per carry to the opposition.

On top of that, quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green have shown glimpses of becoming the franchise pieces they were tabbed to be.

Dalton has had some trouble with interceptions, but he's also producing points, throwing two touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars. On top of that, he's been sacked only 10 times all season long.

As for Green, he's really only had one bad game all season long (Week 3 against the 49ers) and he already has 402 yards receiving and three touchdowns through five games.

The Colts, on the other hand, have struggled in virtually every phase of the game, and it's why they have a 0-5 record right now. Quarterback Curtis Painter had a big game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but for the most part he's been what we expected: a backup quarterback. He's completed less than 50 percent of his passes so far.

The two teams' Week 6 matchup will be played in Cincinnati, which doesn't make life any easier for the Colts. There's no question that developing players like Dalton and Green benefit from not having to play in a hostile environment.

The Colts pass defense is average, which should allow Dalton and Green to connect on a few big plays, but the primary reason the Colts will fall is because of the Bengals defense. Even if Painter plays above his ability, he likely won't be able to do a whole lot.

The Colts' reign of the AFC South appears to be over, at least for this season.

As for the Bengals, they're only getting better.