Colts will match up their starters against the Packers
The Indianapolis Colts have had a lousy pre-season so far. The Colts were on the wrong side of a 37-17 score in their opener against the 49ers and in a 34-21 loss to the Bills. But Indianapolis isn’t too worried as they prepare to visit the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field this Thursday.
During their first two pre-season games, the Colts were without the services of a few Pro Bowl players including tight-end Dallas Clark, defensive linemen Dwight Freeney, safety Bob Sanders and centre Jeff Saturday. None of these key players played in the exhibitions. And Colt’s quarterback Peyton Manning has seen very limited time on the field.
But that is about to change as we near the regular season. As we begin week three of the pre-season, starters will see a lot more action than in the previous two weeks and will have the opportunity to shake off some of that rust before the season opener. Some starters might even play well into the second half.
Manning has been the one consistency for the Colts this off-season and made things look far too easy in his first two contests. Sixteen plays, 10 points in the Colts’ pre-season opener and going 8-15 for 61 yards, and added a touchdown last week against Buffalo.
"We've still got some work to do. That's kind of what pre-season is for," said Manning. "You want everything to go perfect while you're in there. That's not always the case, but I think you've got to have those kinds of expectations."
Manning is right when saying that the 0-2 Colts have more work to do. Indianapolis’ defence has surrendered over 30 points in each of their games and the offence is not protecting the ball. Manning has thrown one interception while his backup Curtis Painter tossed three interceptions against the Niners. But Painter rebounded last game, going five-of-six for 97 yards and a touchdown.
We are going to see plenty of Peyton Manning, and then Painter will come in according to Colts coach Jim Caldwell. Expect to see the 2009 AFC Champions Indianapolis Colts on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Packers have taken care of business so far this preseason. The Packers are 1-1 and Aaron Rodgers looked very sharp last week with an 8/11, 116 yard and two touchdown performance.
Green Bay will start with Aaron Rodgers and then move to quarterback Matt Flynn at some point in the second half. Running-backs Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson will see action and Rodgers’ two primary receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings are expected to start.
On the defensive side, veteran defensive end Cullen Jenkins is a “long shot,” as Packers coach Mike McCarthy called it. Jenkins hurt his calf in the game against the Detroit Lions.
“I’ve never had a calf injury before, so I don’t even know what the heck it’s supposed to feel like, a good one or a bad one,” he said. “But I don’t think it’s too bad.”
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