Those of you who know me or if you just follow my blog know how much I love the Colts. But before 1984, I hated the Colts. Of course they were in Baltimore at the time and I had become somewhat of a Bengal fan. I also am, and have always been a Raider fan. That is why today brings me a day which I would just as soon skip.

The Raiders will take on the Colts today at the RCA Dome. It is just the third trip to Indy for the Raiders, but they all have been in the last 5 years. The Raiders have beaten the Colts both times before this. Granted the Colts weren’t the team they are right now, but nonetheless, we had leads and could have won both games.

Now I won’t be rooting for the Raiders today. I am number one, a Colts fan and everything else is second or worst. But it really is an important game for the Raiders. We all know how good the Colts are and a loss here would not be devastating. The Raiders on the other hand come in at 2-2 and need to keep pace with the Broncos in the West if they are to have a chance for the playoffs this year. After last weeks ugly loss to the Texans at Houston the Raiders are in trouble. They haven’t stopped anyone and they are asking Kerry Collins to fill a role that has been manned by other guys the past four years. The Raider system is vastly different than the one he had in New York and he will probably struggle with it for a while.

He also has a strong arm and if his receivers get free in the backfield and he is accurate he could hurt us. I just don’t see it. They also have some high priced beef up the middle. I doubt if we run up the gut against Sapp and Ted Washington, but the stretch play will have them panting before the end of the half. And there is no way anyone can stop our passing attack.

I look for a big win for the Colts today, but it will be with mixed emotion. Hopefully the Raiders can take what they get today and move on and beat the crap out of Denver next week.