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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 2:27 p.m., Wednesday, October 3, 2007

NFL predictions: Colts have edge over hurting Bucs

By DAVE GOLDBERG
AP Football Writer

The Indianapolis Colts may be without Marvin Harrison, Joseph Addai and Bob Sanders when they play host to Tampa Bay on Sunday. Don't feel sorry for them, because the Bucs will have to spend the rest of the season without their top running back and their left tackle.

No, Sunday's game won't be played in a hospital ward.

And Harrison, who bruised his knee last week in the Colts' 38-20 win over Denver, might even play; he's proven in the past to be a quick healer. But neither Carnell "Cadillac" Williams nor Luke Petitgout of Tampa Bay will heal this season after undergoing knee surgery.

"Watching Philadelphia play without their left tackle and without their running back, it's not an easy thing to overcome," Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden said in a reference to the 12 sacks the Eagles allowed last week against the New York Giants.

"Experience and production at those positions is something an offense relies on."

Maybe that's one reason the unbeaten Colts are 10-point favorites in this game despite their injuries. Although the Bucs, a surprising 3-1, can replace Williams with Earnest Graham and Michael Pittman, who was their starting running back in their 2002 championship season and rushed for 124 yards in their Super Bowl victory over Oakland. They're a little shakier at left tackle, where second-year man Donald Penn replaces Petitgout.

The Colts, meanwhile, still have Peyton Manning. Even without Harrison, he has Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, as well as experienced backups Aaron Moorehead and Brian Fletcher.

If Addai, who has a shoulder injury, can't go at running back, there is Kenton Keith, who is averaging 5.8 yards a carry as his backup.

Indy always plugs in the parts. Whether its covers the spread is another question.

COLTS, 27-20

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Chicago (plus 3) at Green Bay

Brett Favre keeps going against an injured and troubled team.

PACKERS 20-16

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Dallas (minus 10) at Buffalo (Monday night)

The Cowboys are almost as dominant as the Patriots.

COWBOYS, 38-3

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Cleveland (plus 16) at New England

Speaking of which ...

PATRIOTS, 38-3

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Seattle (plus 5) at Pittsburgh

A replay of the 2006 Super Bowl, won 21-10 by the Steelers. Not an exact replay, but ...

STEELERS, 20-14

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San Diego (plus 1½) at Denver

The Chargers have been so disappointing that few people have noticed that the Broncos are disappointing, too.

BRONCOS, 17-14

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Baltimore (minus 3) at San Francisco

Trent Dilfer, the QB in the Ravens' 2001 Super Bowl win, is the QB for San Francisco in place of the injured Alex Smith.

49ERS, 16-13

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Detroit (plus 3½) at Washington

Since 1968, the Redskins are 20-2 against the Lions.

REDSKINS, 20-2

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New York Jets (plus 3½) ``at'' New York Giants

Home field? All the Giants get are their fans and the "home" bench. They also get a few sacks.

GIANTS, 23-17

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Atlanta (plus 8½) at Tennessee

This would be a regional rivalry if it was played more often.

TITANS, 24-10

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Arizona (minus 3) at St. Louis

The Cardinals used to represent St. Louis and their quarterback, Kurt Warner, used to play there. Regardless, the Rams barely have enough healthy linemen to compete.

CARDINALS, 27-9

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Carolina (plus 3) at New Orleans

The Saints get their first win against a team that's unhappy and beaten up.

SAINTS, 27-13

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Jacksonville (minus 2) at Kansas City

The Jaguars love playing boring games.

JAGUARS, 15-12

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Miami (plus 5½) at Houston

The Texans are threatening to become the same old Texans. The Dolphins already are that bad.

TEXANS, 31-20

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LAST WEEK: 7-7 (spread); 6-8 (straight up)

SEASON: 33-26-3 (spread); 40-22 (straight up)