• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Colts looking for offense to return to form

Dec 2, 2008 - 7:26 PM Cincinnati (1-10-1) at Indianpolis (8-4), 1:00 pm, EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Indianapolis Colts' usually potent offense was missing in action last week in Cleveland.

The Colts hope to find it Sunday when they continue their playoff charge against the Cincinnati Bengals - the NFL's second-worst team.

Indianapolis (8-4) escaped with a 10-6 victory over the Browns despite being held without a offensive touchdown for the first time since September 7, 2003, also in Cleveland.

Defensive end Robert Mathis bailed out the offense by returning a fumble 37 yards in the fourth quarter for the game's only touchdown. Indianapolis committed three turnovers and failed to convert a 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line.

Despite their offensive struggles, the Colts extended their winning streak to five games and remained tied with Baltimore (8-4) for one of the AFC's two wild card spots.

The odds suggest that quarterback Peyton Manning and Co. won't be shut down for a second straight week - at least that is what Colts coach Tony Dungy anticipates.

"I think we're learning about what it takes to play those close games, and that's probably a good thing for us in the long run," Dungy said. "But we are going to need to play better in December."

The Colts have won all five games during their streak by less than a touchdown - a first during Dungy's seven-year tenure as coach.

"I look at us and San Diego (4-8) and maybe Houston (5-7) and Jacksonville (4-8)," Dungy added. "The difference between 8-4 and 5-7 is not all that much difference."

The Colts haven't been overly impressive in their wins, but they are entering the soft portion of their schedule.

Their next three games are against teams with a combined record of 5-30-1 - Cincinnati (1-10-1), Detroit (0-12) and Jacksonville.

The Colts may look to open up their offense against the woeful Bengals, who were held to just

155 yards in last week's 34-3 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens.

Cincinnati was held to 10 points or less for the sixth time this season and reached double figures in losses for the first time since going 2-14 in 2002, putting coach Marvin Lewis' job in jeopardy.

The Bengals, who have played the last seven games without starting quarterback Carson Palmer, have been ravaged by injuries.

Safety Marvin White became the 21st Bengal to go on season-ending injured reserve after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against the Ravens.

In his last game against the Bengals, Manning passed for four touchdowns in a 34-16 victory in 2006. Three of Manning's TDs went to his favorite target, Marvin Harrison.