Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1) at Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson

*Keys to the game: When the Colts rolled up 506 yards total offense in a Week 7 whipping of the Bengals (27-0), it was largely against a reserve-filled defense.

A revived Bengals defense with CB Leon Hall and a steady front seven will make the short trek to Indy this time, and the Colts cannot reasonably expect to rush for 171 yards and play keep-away from the Bengals. It helps Cincinnati’s cause that the Colts are without RB Ahmad Bradshaw and Indianapolis is below-average on the offensive line.

QB Andrew Luck is not afraid to take a hit to deliver the ball on time, and with TEs Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener emerging as more reliable targets, he won’t have to push the ball outside where the Bengals’ cornerbacks pinch, push, bump and run with the best of them.

The Bengals’ transformation to a power-based, run-first team is possible because of a dominant left side of the offensive line and the combination of quick feet and power of rookie RB Jeremy Hill. In tandem with third-down back Giovani Bernard, the Bengals are capable of riding their ball carries to clock-sucking drives that park Luck and Company on the bench.

The health of Cincinnati’s top two receivers was in question as of Thursday, when WR A.J. Green (concussion) was back at practice but TE Jermaine Gresham (back) was still moving gingerly.

*Matchup to watch – Colts OL vs. Bengals DL: The Colts have used at least three starters at every offensive line spot other than left tackle, where Anthony Castonzo started every game. Cincinnati gets after the quarterback with a goal of getting the ball out in less than three seconds. That will limit big plays and keep Luck on the move.

*Player spotlight – Colts RB Boom Herron: The Bengals’ draft pick is the leading option in the backfield for the Colts with Trent Richardson relegated to reserve duty. If the Colts want to last long this month, Herron must come up big.

*Fast facts: The Bengals last won a playoff game in 1991 and are 0-6 all time on the road in the postseason. … The Colts were worst in the NFL with 15 fumbles lost and had 15 turnovers in the final six games (31 total in 2014)

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The team that controls the line of the scrimmage gets a huge edge into the second half, but QB Andy Dalton — 0-3 in the playoffs — and the Bengals have to prove capable of salting away the potent Colts in a money moment in which they’ve too often come up broke. If Luck gets a chance in the fourth quarter, the Colts advance.

*Our pick: Bengals 34-29