NFL Preseason Preview - Cincinnati (2-2) at Indianapolis (0-3)

By Tony Moss, NFL Editor

(Sports Network) - The Indianapolis Colts will try to avoid their first winless preseason since 2005 on Thursday night, when they play host to the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts traditionally pay less heed to preseason results than most teams in the NFL, having compiled a dismal 4-21 record in warm-up games since 2005. Last week's 59-24 loss at the Green Bay Packers got Indy closer to what would be its first winless preseason since '05, when it went 0-5 before finishing with the NFL's best mark (14-2) in regular season play.

The Colts, Bears and Chiefs are the only teams in the league that enter the final week of the 2010 preseason without a win.

In keeping with Indianapolis' usual cautious approach, quarterback Peyton Manning and the team's principles are unlikely to make much more than a cameo against the Bengals, if that.

Manning has looked generally sharp despite two interceptions in the preseason, completing 31-of-51 passes for 396 yards and three touchdowns in three contests.

Backups Curtis Painter and Tom Brandstater, both of whom have generally struggled during the preseason to date, stand to get a bulk of Indy's work behind center on Thursday.

The Bengals also figure to take a cautious approach, as injuries to the likes of players like wideout Antonio Bryant (knee), linebacker Rashad Jeanty (leg) and safety Gibril Wilson (knee) have overshadowed the largely solid work of the team during the warm-up period.

Bryant and Jeanty were both released earlier this week, while Wilson was placed on season-ending injured reserve.

With Carson Palmer unlikely to see much time on Thursday, reserves J.T. O'Sullivan and Jordan Palmer will get a chance to work out the kinks. O'Sullivan and the younger Palmer have combined for five interceptions and just one touchdown pass during the preseason.

Following Thursday's games, all 32 NFL teams will have until 6pm ET on Saturday evening to trim their rosters to the 53-player maximum.

Cincinnati leads the all-time preseason series with the Colts, 12-6, including a 38-7 home victory prior to last season.

The teams also meet in meaningful play during the 2010 regular season, with the Bengals visiting Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 14th.

Indianapolis opens its 2010 regular season on Sept. 12th at the Houston Texans, while Cincinnati opens the same day at the New England Patriots.