Cleveland at Indianapolis

I would venture that the Colts haven't been a dog at home vs. a team with a losing record in a meaningful game in the Peyton Manning era. That's the problem - there is no Peyton Manning. We have seen the colossal struggles of the Colts in exhibition season without Manning, and in the final couple games of each season in recent years when they have clinched and Manning has sat. We witnessed something similar last week with Manning sidelined, the Colts looked like the teams we have seen them from the past in meaningless games. The difference here is they count and without Manning at the helm they looked aimless and helpless. The Texans took it to them early and often and ended up winning 34-7. What might be worse than the final score is the fact that Houston played a sloppy game, turning the ball over three times. Think about it. The Colts had a turnover advantage and were down 34-0. The Browns have an opportunistic defense that could force some mistakes here. But the Colts defense, which has not been good for years, but disguised by Manning's offense, has nowhere to hide anymore. The Colts looked like they were beginning a down cycle last year, and that has been accelerated quickly without Manning. They have failed to cover six straight vs. a losing team, so take Cleveland in this one.