Game Preview
Mike Krueger
Predicted Score: Colts 23, Buccaneers 17
Indianapolis: The injury bug has finally it the Super Bowl Champs. In their victory against the Broncos last week the Colts lost LB Rob Morris (knee) for the season, RB Joseph Addai (bruised shoulder), WR Marvin Harrison (knee), S Bob Sanders (ribs) and TE Ben Utecht (consussion). Harrison and Addai are likely to play if they practice Friday but check gameday reports before inserting them into your lineup. Should Addai sit, Kenton Keith would fill in and Aaron Moorehead, not Anthony Gonzalez, would start opposite Reggie Wayne. If Harrison does sit, look for tight end Dallas Clark to be a bigger factor in the passing game.
- Start: QB Peyton Manning, RB Joseph Addai (inj), WR Marvin Harrison (inj), WR Reggie Wayne, K Adam Vinatieri TE Dallas Clark
- Consider: WR Aaron Moorehead
- Sit: WR Anthony Gonzalez
Tampa Bay: The Bucs have won their last three games but suffered two big blows last week losing running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and left tackle Luke Petitgout for the year with knee injuries. Michael Pttman and Earnest Graham will pick up the slack for Williams. Tampa's defense is off to a hot start and should be enough to keep this game in doubt well into the fourth quarter. They rank first in the league in points allowed (11 per game). However, this is the Colts offense and Peyton Manning who is nothing but stellar at home. For his career, Manning is averaging 265 yds and 2 TDs in the dome and has 8 TDs and only 1 interception in 2007.
- Start: WR Joey Galloway
- Consider: QB Jeff Garcia, RB Michael Pittman, RB Earnest Graham
- Sit: RB Cadillac Williams (inj), WR Ike Hilliard, TE Jerramy Stevens, TE Alex Smith