NFL Picks Week 6: Why Indianapolis Colts Will Get First Win vs. Bengals

Life without Peyton Manning has been tough for the Indianapolis Colts, who are currently 0-5 and in last place in the the AFC South, a division they've owned for the last decade.

Against the Cincinnati Bengals this week, the Colts have a good chance to earn their first win of the 2011 NFL season.

One reason for Colts fans to be hopeful is the recent play of quarterback Curtis Painter, who threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns last week. More importantly, he didn't throw an interception.

Protecting the football will be important for the Colts as a team on Sunday because they had so many opportunities to win last Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but couldn't finish the game.

The Colts will play a rushing tandem in place of normal starter Joseph Addai with Delone Carter and Donald Brown. Both backs are good enough to get rushing yards, but the real reason the Colts will win on Sunday is the play of Painter.

Painter is finally starting to win over Colts fans who were aggravated with his inability to be a capable backup.

The Colts will beat the Bengals on Sunday by throwing the ball to wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark. The Colts haven't used Clark enough, despite being one of football's best tight ends. 

Painter will chuck the ball around the yard to those two guys and receiver Pierre Garcon, who Painter had developed a good chemistry with.

Indianapolis will score a ton of points against Cincinnati this week and get their first win of the season.