The Indianapolis Colts wrap up the preseason at 7 p.m. ET Thursday against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Here are a couple things to watch for during the game:
Why watch: This may be the most competitive game of the preseason for the Colts. It’s not that Andrew Luck and the majority of the rest of the starters will be playing, but this is a final opportunity for many of the borderline players to impress the coaching staff prior to rosters having to be cut to 53 players on Saturday. Players to keep an eye on are running back Tyler Varga, receiver Griff Whalen, quarterback Bryan Bennett and linebacker Junior Sylvestre. “If you spend a lot of time worrying about am I going to make it, am I not going to make it, and all that stuff, you’re probably setting yourself up to play a poor game,” coach Chuck Pagano said. “What we’ll tell them is, ‘Focus on your fundamentals, focus on your technique, focus on the game plan, focus on playing really hard, and don’t worry about that stuff because if you go out and you play well, it will take care of itself.’ Because you’re not only trying to make our team, you’re training to make 31 other teams.”
Did you know: This is the 15th straight year that the Colts and Bengals have faced each other in the preaseason. The Colts are 4-10 in those meetings...The teams faced each other twice last season, with the Colts winning both games, including the AFC wildcard matchup in the playoffs. Indianapolis held Cincinnati to 135 yards of total offense during the regular season meeting. The Colts had their second-best offensive performance of the season in that same game, totaling 506 yards.
