GAME: Cincinnati Bengals (8-5) @ Indianapolis Colts (10-3)
WHEN: Monday, December 18th, 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Indianapolis
BROADCAST: ESPN with Mike Tirico, Tony Kornheiser, Joe Theismann, Suzy Kolber and Michelle Tafoya. Westwood One Radio with Marv Albert, Boomer Esiason and John Dockery.
SB NATION: Stampede Blue
Cincinnati Bengals
- Last week, Cincinnati won their eighth game making this the fourth straight season with at least eight wins -- first time in franchise history. All under Marvin Lewis.
- In the past 15 road games, the Bengals are 11-5.
- Quarterback Carson Palmer has at least two touchdowns in six of his past eight games.
- The Bengals are 17-0 (6-0 this season) when Rudi Johnson carries the ball 25 times or more.
- Last week, Rudi rushed for two touchdowns. He's recorded at least one touchdown in five of his past seven games.
- Chad Johnson (1,247) only needs 186 yards receiving to break his own record (1,432, 2005) for most yards in a single-season. If Chad finishes the season #1 in yards receiving, it will be the first time in franchise history that any Bengals led the NFL in yards receiving.
- T.J. Houshmandzadeh has a touchdown reception in his past three games and leads the team with eight.
- Together, Chad and T.J. have the second most yards receiving for a duo (2,141 yards)
- The Bengals defense has allowed a total of 17 point in the past three games.
Indianapolis Colts
- If the Colts beat the Bengals, the clinch a playoff berth. This will be Tony Dungy's ninth season, of his past 11, that he's led his team into the playoffs.
- In four career starts, Peyton Manning (4-0) has 10 touchdowns and three interceptions -- has at least two touchdown passes in all four games.
- Running backs Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai combine for 1,399 yards rushing and 12 rushing touchdowns.
- Last week, Marvin Harrison became the fourth player to surpass 1,000 career receptions. He did it in his 167th game crushing the old mark of fastest to 1,000 -- Jerry Rice (181 games).
- In his last meeting against the Bengals, Reggie Wayne caught five passes for 117 yards -- including a 66-yard touchdown.
- Wayne (1,129) and Harrison (1,094) have surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for second year in a row.
- Robert Mathis has 11.0 sacks in his past 12 home games. With .5 sacks Monday, Mathis would have at least 10 sacks for his third straight season.
OFFENSE
| Category | Bengals | Colts |
| Points Scored | 24.4 (6th) | 26.3 (5th) |
| Passing | 249.5 (4th) | 272.2 (2nd) |
| Rushing | 100.2 (22nd) | 109.2 (18th) |
| Total Offense (yards gained) | 349.7 (7th) | 381.4 (2nd) |
DEFENSE
| Category | Bengals | Colts |
| Points Allowed | 19.2 (8th) | 22.7 (24th) |
| Passing | 238.5 (32nd) | 156.6 (2nd) |
| Rushing | 109.0 (13th) | 176.5 (32nd) |
| Total Offense (yards allowed) | 347.5 (26th) | 333.1 (18th) |
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Category | Bengals | Colts | |
| Kickoff | |||
| Returns Allowed | 21.3 (9th) | 26.1 (30th) | |
| Return Yards | 19.9 (30th) | 23.8 (9th) | |
| Punting | |||
| Net Avg. | 37.4 (20th) | 36.7 (15th) | |
| Gross Avg. | 43.9 (t-19th) | 43.7 (t-17) | |
| Punt Return | 7.1 (28th) | 10.2 (8th) | |
| Field Goals | FG Made | 20 (t-10th) | 20 (t-10th) |
| Pct. | 83.3 (t-14th) | 87.0 (t-10th) |