The preseason finale is here, and on Thursday, the Indianapolis Colts will travel to Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati to face off against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Colts enter this matchup with a record of 1-1, having started the preseason with a narrow 34-30 loss to the Denver Broncos, followed by a solid 21-13 win against the Arizona Cardinals. Conversely, the Bengals are still searching for their first victory, having lost their two preseason games: 17-14 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a significant 27-3 defeat against the Chicago Bears last Saturday. Both teams have a couple of players marked as questionable for this game, adding a layer of intrigue to the matchup.
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Colts Anticipate Key Starters for Preseason Showdown
The Indianapolis Colts opted to rest most of their starters and key backups in their second preseason game. However, they are expected to field a strong lineup on Thursday, aiming to finish the preseason on a high note. In their previous game against Arizona, the Colts showcased a dominant running game, scoring three rushing touchdowns. Backup quarterbacks, including Kedon Slovis and Sam Ehlinger, are anticipated to play significant minutes after Anthony Richardson, the starting quarterback, completes his time on the field in the first half.
In their last outing, the Colts’ backup defense performed admirably, surrendering only 232 yards and limiting the Cardinals to 13 first downs. Fans can expect to see the Colts’ starting 4-3 defense, which boasts a formidable linebacker unit featuring EJ Speed, Zaire Franklin, and Segun Olubi. Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner is also expected to see considerable action at nose tackle, while the starting secondary will likely remain on the field for at least the first quarter, if not longer.
Bengals Look for Improvement with Starters Expected to Play
The Cincinnati Bengals’ backups faced the Chicago Bears for the entirety of their previous game, showcasing resilience in the first half but faltering after halftime. Cincinnati chose not to deploy many potential starters on offense, with only DJ Turner and Dax Hill seeing action on defense. Following the injury of D’Ante Smith, who may face a season-ending setback, the Bengals are testing new options on the offensive line. This includes utilizing a pair of rookies alongside a blend of starters and Jackson Carmen as a backup to Orlando Brown Jr.
On the defensive side, undrafted linebacker Maema Njongmeta excelled against the Bears, recording seven tackles, four of which came during the first half against Chicago’s starting lineup. Defensive lineman Kris Jenkins is also vying for a roster spot, having posted his first sack against the Bears. After a rocky start in the first preseason game, Jenkins has found his footing and will be looking to solidify his place on the team in this upcoming contest.
Strong Betting Insights for Colts vs. Bengals
As the Colts prepare to showcase their starting offense, they will be led by quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor. Richardson is supported by a talented trio of wide receivers, including Michael Pittman Jr. This offensive lineup poses a challenge for a Cincinnati defense that struggled last season, ranking 22nd in points allowed. While the Bengals’ offensive unit is formidable, the absence of their top wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, could impact their performance. Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to participate but will likely only play for a few series. The Colts will aim to capitalize on their robust running game, featuring both Taylor and the dual-threat capabilities of Richardson, who can also pose a risk with his mobility against the Bengals’ defense.
