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The Bills and Colts are in very similar circumstances as they prepare to face each other on Monday Night Football this week. Both teams are 7-6 and have very remote chances of making the playoffs. This game will show us which team the door remains slightly cracked for. This will be gut check time for Buffalo, there is a chance they will be packing it in for the season because of the rash of injuries they have. If the Colts get off to a slow start the home crowd will turn ugly and then the Bills have a chance.
Facts and Figures
| Matchup: | Buffalo (7-6) at Indianapolis (7-6) |
| Date: | Monday December 11th |
| Place: | RCA Dome |
| Time: | 9:00pm |
| Television: | ABC |
| Announcers: | Al Michaels, Dan Fouts, Dennis Miller, Melissa Stark, & Eric Dickerson |
| Spread: | Indianapolis by 6 |
| Series: | Bills Lead 34-25-1 |
| Last Meeting: | Colts 18-16 in Buffalo Oct. 1st |
| Colts Offense: | Rush (17th); Pass(2nd); overall (3rd) |
| Colts Defense: | Rush (26th); Pass (22nd) ; overall (26th) |
| Bills Offense: | Rush (T-18th); Pass (12th); overall (14th) |
| Bills Defense: | Rush (3rd); Pass (8th); overall (4th) |
Injury Update
The Bills are without Antoine Winfield, Sam Cowart, Sam Rogers, and Keion Carpenter for the rest of the season. Phil Hansen should be able to play full time this week. Donovan Greer is hopeful to return from a high ankle sprain. Sammy Morris is still suffering from his high ankle sprain but his also hopeful for a return on Monday night. The rookies and second year players that replaced the injured starters all struggled last week. Jay Foreman was the only one who performed pretty well netting 14 tackles but he was blocked out of the play on the opening score. Third round pick Corey Moore played for Rogers and did recover a fumble but was run over on early running plays. Second round pick Travares Tillman was caught out of position on many occasions. For the Colts WR E.G. Green will be a late week decision, he is the third wideout for them.
For complete injury news throughout the week and the Official NFL Injury Report go to our Injury Page.
Key Matchups
LBs John Holecek and Jay Foreman vs. RB Edgerrin James: James is the best back the Bills have faced all year and it will be tough to stop him without Sam Cowart. Holecek will have to step up and Foreman will need to continue his strong play against the run from last week.
DL Marcellus Wiley vs. QB Peyton Manning: Wiley needs to lead the way with some pressure on Manning. He can't have too much time to throw or he will pick the secondary apart.
DB Ken Irvin vs. WR Marvin Harrison: The Bills will try to put there best cover guy that is healthy against Harrison who is the best receiver the Bills have faced this year and traditionally does well against the Bills.
LT John Fina vs. DE Chad Bratzke: Bratzke is the Colts best pass rusher and he is of the same mold as Jason Taylor, who ate up Fina last week. If Fina's injured knee bothers him, he should come out because Bratzke will blow by an injured Fina.
WR Eric Moulds vs. DB Jeff Burris: Another battle of former teammates. Moulds will be looking for redemption from his poor performance last week.
Game Plan
When The Bills Have The Ball: They should be able to move the ball on the ground and through the air against a suspect Colts defense. Look for the Bills to try to build on the success the running game had last week.
When The Colts Have The Ball: The Colts should have no problem moving the football against the banged up Bills defense. Looks for the Colts to establish the running game first and use play actions to keep the young players on their toes and hit some plays downfield.
Bills Daily Prediction
The Bills may be a beaten team and it looks like they may have packed it in. It will be very hard to get going and overcome all the injuries against a very high powered offense. Combine that with this being a road game in a dome stadium that they don't play very well in: Indianapolis 38, Buffalo 24
Season Prediction Record: (9-4)
Season Record Against The Spread: (6-7)
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