Arizona (2-3) at Indianapolis (4-1)

BetMGM NFL Odds: Colts by 6 1/2.

Against the spread: Cardinals 2-3, Colts 4-1.

Series record: Colts lead 9-8.

Last meeting: Colts beat Cardinals 22-16 on Dec. 25, 2021, in Glendale, Arizona.

Last week: Cardinals lost to Titans 22-21; Colts beat Raiders 40-6.

Cardinals offense: overall (26), rush (12), pass (30), scoring (23).

Cardinals defense: overall (21), rush (8t), pass (28), scoring (4).

Colts offense: overall (4), rush (9), pass (4), scoring (2).

Colts defense: overall (14), rush (12), pass (19), scoring (3).

Turnover differential: Cardinals even; Colts plus-5.

RB Emari Demercado. It will be interesting to see how he responds after one of the more embarrassing and costly mistakes in recent NFL history, dropping the ball just before the end zone on a potential 72-yard touchdown run in last weekend’s loss to the Titans. Demercado has been forced into a bigger role recently because of injuries to the team’s top two running backs, James Conner and Trey Benson.

TE Tyler Warren. Three weeks ago, the rookie threw the key block to spring Jonathan Taylor’s game sealing TD run at Tennessee. Two weeks ago, he scored his first career TD on a 2-yard run. Last week, he had his first TD catch and threw his first NFL pass. Coach Shane Steichen acknowledged Monday his staff enjoys figuring out new ways to deploy Warren. It’s fun for the fans — not for defenses.

Colts’ red zone offense vs. Cardinals’ red zone defense. Indy appeared to solve this problem last week by scoring six TDs on six red-zone trips. Now, though, they face one of the league’s top goal-line units. If Arizona’s goal-line defense stiffens, it could keep them in the game — regardless of who plays quarterback for the Cardinals.

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (foot) was hurt during the second half of last week’s game but finished the game. He didn’t practice Wednesday. ... DL Darius Robinson (chest) also missed Wednesday’s practice. ... TE Tip Reiman (ankle) is out for the season after being put on injured reserve. ... The Colts will have a new kicker in Michael Badgley after losing Spencer Schrader to a knee injury and could have a new linebacker, Germaine Pratt, after Joe Bachie went on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. ... DT Grover Stewart (biceps) and WR Alec Pierce (concussion protocol) both practiced Wednesday and could return this week. ... It seems more likely CB Kenny Moore II (Achilles tendon) might miss another game.

Indy won the last game in 2021 when the Colts were featured on “Hard Knocks: In Season.” Arizona won the previous two matchups. ... Lucas Oil Stadium opened in 2008, but the Cardinals have won the only other contest between these franchises in the retractable roof dome, 16-13 in 2017. ... Steichen and Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon were the offensive and defensive coordinators on the Philadelphia team that reached the Super Bowl following the 2022 season. Both took their current jobs after that loss. ... Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is the son of former Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, a Hall of Famer.

In a game featuring two of the league’s best young tight ends — the other being Trey McBride — Warren appears to be in a better position. Jones has looked his way often as the Colts continue to manufacture ways to give him touches. The Cardinals’ defense, meanwhile, has struggled to pressure quarterbacks and slow opposing tight ends, perhaps leading to another big day for Warren.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl