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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NFL notebook: Patriots favored on Colts’ field


Patriots' Tom Brady, left, and Colts' Peyton Manning will meet again. Associated Press
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

The Indianapolis Colts have won a franchise-record 12 straight home games and are off to the third-best start of any defending Super Bowl champion.

So why are they underdogs at home this week? Blame that, as Indianapolis fans usually do, on New England.

“They’re a good team. They’ve played great football all year and we’ve played very, very well,” Colts coach Tony Dungy said. “It’s going to be a big game.”

Both teams enter Sunday’s game with glittering resumes.

New England (8-0) has defeated all of its opponents by at least 17 points. Tom Brady has a 136.2 passer rating, new receiver Randy Moss could break the franchise’s single-season record for TD catches this weekend, and only two opponents have topped 20 points this season.

Indianapolis is merely off to another 7-0 start, already has three road wins against division opponents and just finished a six-day stretch in which it routed Jacksonville and Carolina on the road.

Around the league

Cornerback Darrell Green and receivers Cris Carter and Herman Moore were among 124 modern-era players, coaches, and contributors on the preliminary list of nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fames Class of 2008. … Sam Dana, the oldest-living former NFL player, who once played football alongside Lou Gehrig at Columbia, died in his sleep late Monday night in Buffalo, N.Y. He was 104. … Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman will start Sunday against Cincinnati. The team said that Trent Edwards needs additional time to recover from a sprained right wrist. … The Houston Texans signed Craig Nall to add depth at QB with starter Matt Schaub ailing. … The Washington Redskins placed cornerback Carlos Rogers on injured reserve and promoted cornerback John Eubanks from the practice squad. Rogers tore two ligaments in his right knee in a loss to New England. … The New York Jets placed linebacker Jonathan Vilma on injured reserve, ending his season. … Garrett Reid, the oldest son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, was taken into custody for failing a drug test in Bridgeport, Pa.