Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Redskins NFL Preview

[Shame About Ray]

NFL Football Hall of Fame Game Preview

The wait is finally over for NFL betting junkies this weekend, as the NFL preseason gets underway with the annual Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium. In this year’s edition of the HOF Game the Indianapolis Colts battle the Washington Redskins, with both sides expected to be missing a ton of regulars.

In the early NFL odds the Redskins were locked in as a 6-point favorite. This shouldn’t come as a surprise considering the Colts’ biggest offensive weapon, Peyton Manning, won’t play a single down on Sunday night. In fact, Manning may not get into a single preseason game at all after having surgery on an infected bursa sac in his left knee on July 14. Rehab from the surgery usually takes four to six weeks, so Manning may be able to play in the Colts’ final preseason game if he heals quickly.

With Manning sidelined, backup QB Jim Sorgi will lead the starting offense, while Jared Lorezen and Quinn Gray will both likely see plenty of action as well. One question mark on the Colts’ starting offense on Sunday night is receiver Marvin Harrison. Last season Harrison missed 11 games with an injured knee, and he’s considered questionable for Sunday night.

The list of Colts players expected to miss Sunday’s game also includes two big defensive starters, Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders. Freeney is still rehabbing a foot injury that cost him playing time last season, while Sanders is coming back from a shoulder injury. Both are currently on the Colts’ PUP list.

The Redskins will also be shorthanded on Sunday, as head coach Jim Zorn makes his debut on the Washington sidelines. This will also be the Redskins’ first game action with their new West Coast offense. Quarterback Jason Campbell is expected to start, with Todd Collins and Colt Brennan following him in the pecking order.

Missing on the offensive side of the ball for Washington on Sunday night will be Ladell Betts, due to a thigh bruise, OT Chris Samuels, due to elbow surgery, and rookie receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly (both have hamstring injuries). The Skins are also hurting on defense, where Anthony Montgomery and Rian Wallace both have broken hands, LaRon Landry is out with a hamstring issue, and Erasmus Jones and Carlos Rogers are both recovering from knee surgery.

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Even with their numerous injuries the Redskins are still favored on Sunday night because of Manning’s absence, and because the Colts don’t care about the preseason. For proof just look at their preseason record over the last three seasons – 2-11 straight-up and 3-10 against-the-spread. With Zorn making his coaching debut the Redskins have more to play for and could be a smart wager on Sunday night.

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