Michael Westbrook is averaging an NFL-best 19 yards per reception.

The Colts are playing consistent football and are on a roll, winning nine consecutive games. It makes you think they could be ready for a downfall, but they have also won some ugly games, the sign of a good team.

As for the Redskins, just when I get excited about them, they yield 30-40 points and lose. They have allowed an average of 36 points in their five losses. The Washington defense needs to show the same effort and intensity as last week, holding Arizona to three points.

Although Vic Fangio is a wonderful defensive coordinator, the Colts defense isn't among the best in the league either. They are playing well enough to win, but they still lack depth. They are one team that can ill-afford to lose one of its best defensive players.

If the game is a shootout, Washington can score with the Colts. Offensively, the teams are near mirror images. Brad Johnson can make great plays and smart decisions like Manning. Stephen Davis, the NFL's leading rusher, can match rookie standout Edgerrin James yard for yard. Like Marvin Harrison for the Colts, the Redskins' Michael Westbrook can explode for a big play.

The game will be won by the defense that breaks down the least under the onslaught. The Redskins are looking for continuity, proving they can duplicate last week's defensive performance. Everybody expects the Colts to roll up around 500 yards of offense, so the Redskins need to show defensively that they belong. If their defense fails to show up, both this week and in the coming weeks, they will lose to the Colts and early in the playoffs.

Here are the keys to Sunday's game for each team:

Washington Redskins
1. Stop the run: If James rushes for 100 yards, the Redskins are in trouble. The last two weeks, they have fared much better against the run, giving up only 84 yards combined on the ground. If they can stop James, that will give them a chance to disrupt the Colts passing game. For that, they need to consult Bill Belicheck's blueprint on how to defend Manning.

2. Allow short gains only: If the Redskins blitz too much, they will leave themselves vulnerable to big plays. Expect Washington to play a lot more zone defense, keeping everything in front of them. Then again, the Redskins must avoid giving Manning defensive looks that will be easy to read because he will capitalize.

3. Win on first down: This is especially critical on the road, in a loud, raucous environment, and early in the game. Johnson is good enough to do it. If the Redskins can play in short-yardage situations all day, it will take the crowd out of the game. The Redskins have the ability to play catch-up, but they don't want to play comeback football against the Colts, who can score just as quickly.

Indianapolis Colts
1. An unlikely hero: Somebody else has to make a play this week other than Manning, James and Harrison. Whether it's Terrence Wilkins or one of the tight ends, Ken Dilger or Marcus Pollard. The Redskins will focus on stopping James and rolling their coverage to take away Harrison. So another player needs to make plays.

2. Win on special teams: If the Colts want home-field advantage and plan on keeping pace with Jacksonville, they need to win the special-teams battle. Kicker Mike Vanderjagt is having a Pro Bowl year, leading the league in points. But field position is a big factor. Punter Hunter Smith can make life miserable for the Redskins on the road if he can pin them deep in their territory and make them work 80 yards to score every time they touch the ball.

3. Don't change: The Colts don't need to add any wrinkles. They need to be calm and relaxed and treat the game like it is being played in October, not December. The last time an Indianapolis team was in this situation, Jim Harbaugh was the quarterback. This is a different group, one not used to being a contender this late in the season. The focus must remain the same, and they can't get comfortable, expecting to show up and beat the Redskins. The best thing for Indianapolis was the Redskins having a great defensive showing last week because that is what will be on the Colts' minds.

Former NFL quarterback Sean Salisbury works as a studio analyst on NFL 2Night and Monday NFL Countdown. He breaks down the Game of the Week every week for ESPN.com