Redskins (8-5) at Colts (11-2)
1 p.m. ET, Fox
Line: Colts by 6½
Preview | War Room preview | Baxter's bits
Focal Point: Davis vs. James
Sean Salisbury's breakdown

	Brad Johnson already has thrown a career-high 21 TD passes.

Why to watch:
Two of the league's highest-scoring teams will match their offensive arsenals in a key game at the RCA Dome. Indianapolis' 364 points are more than any other AFC team, while Washington's 375 are more than every NFC club but the Rams, who lead the entire league with 430. No wonder the over-under for this game is a whopping 49½ points.

While this one figures to be a shootout, it also should have a big impact on the playoff race -- especially for the NFC East-leading Redskins. Washington, which holds a one-game lead over Dallas and the New York Giants, has won three of its last four. The Cowboys hold the tiebreaker over the 'Skins, so it's imperative that Washington stay at least a game up on its biggest rival.

For the Colts, this game could complete one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NFL history. Indianapolis, which finished 3-13 in each of the last two seasons, can earn its first AFC East title since 1987 with a victory. The Colts have won nine consecutive games and are in the midst of the franchise's best season since the then-Baltimore Colts started out 11-1 in 1968.

Indianapolis was less than dominating in its 20-15 victory over New England last week, but the Colts have scored at least 25 points in 10 of their 13 games. Indy, which leads Buffalo and Miami by three games with three weeks left in the season, hasn't lost a game since Oct. 10. The Colts are also standing by in the race for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, just in case the Jaguars trip up somewhere along the way.

Who to watch:
The battle for the NFL rushing title will be center stage as Redskins RB Stephen Davis and Colts RB Edgerrin James square off for the first time. Davis leads the NFL with 1,335 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, while James is just 24 yards behind at 1,311. It's also worth mentioning that James' first NFL season has been so productive that it will trigger enough contract incentives to make him the top-paid rookie in NFL history.

	INJURY REPORT
	Redskins: QUESTIONABLE: G Keith Sims (knee). PROBABLE: TE Stephen Alexander (hip); WR Albert Connell (shoulder); TE James Jenkins (shoulder); CB Mark McMillian (chest-ribs); WR Michael Westbrook (wrist). Colts: QUESTIONABLE: CB Tyrone Poole (head). PROBABLE: WR Jerome Pathon (shoulder); LB Spencer Reid (knee).

The Redskins ran for 226 yards in last week's victory over Arizona, but the Colts have held three of their last four opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. James figures to have a much easier time against a Washington run defense that ranks 24th in the NFL and is allowing 116.6 yards per game on the ground.

When James and Davis aren't running the ball, however, two of the league's better air attacks will be on display. Colts QB Peyton Manning has thrown at least one TD pass in 26 consecutive games, and Indy is averaging an AFC-best 255.2 passing yards per game. Colts WR Marvin Harrison leads the league with 1,357 receiving yards, and he will present a huge test for veteran Darrell Green, rookie Champ Bailey and the Redskins' struggling secondary.

While Harrison figures to draw plenty of attention, Washington must keep an eye on Manning's other targets. Colts WR Terrence Wilkins and TE Marcus Pollard have scored four TDs apiece. Colts DE Chad Bratzke, who leads the team with nine sacks, will challenge Redskins LT Andy Heck in a key battle in the trenches.

Redskins QB Brad Johnson could have a big day against a Colts defense that allowed 379 yards to Drew Bledsoe last week and 313 to Dan Marino the previous week. Johnson has two terrific targets in WRs Michael Westbrook (54 catches for 1,026 yards and eight TDs) and Albert Connell (53 for 929 yards and six TDs). Colts CBs Jeff Burris and Tyrone Poole will need to keep that duo from making too many big plays.

Redskins' numbers to know:
After allowing a team-record 61 sacks in 16 games in '98, the Redskins have allowed just 22 sacks in 13 games in '99. ... Washington is 9-15 vs. AFC teams since 1993.

Colts' numbers to know:
Manning has become the third quarterback in NFL history to pass for 7,000 yards in his first two seasons, joining Bledsoe and Marino. His streak of 26 straight games with a TD is the fifth-longest in league history.

What it means:
While this one could be the Colts' official coronation as AFC East champs, it clearly means more to the Redskins. Washington has no margin for error in the tight NFC East and is fighting for its playoff life.