By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - Two NFL teams hoping to chart a course to Super Bowl XLI will meet at the RCA Dome on Sunday night, when the Indianapolis Colts play host to the Seattle Seahawks in the second preseason tune-up for both teams. The Colts, believed by many to have been the most talented team in the NFL last season, are among the top pick of oddsmakers and league observers to win the franchise's first title since relocating to Indianapolis in 1983. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are fresh off an appearance on Super Sunday, and are still considered to be among the teams to beat in the NFC. Neither Indy nor Seattle could manage a win in their respective preseason openers, with the Colts falling to the Rams, 19-17, and the Seahawks dropping a 13-3 home decision to the Cowboys.

Peyton Manning and the first-team Indianapolis offense should see a bit more time than against the Rams, when principles like Manning (3-of-5, 50 yards, 1 TD), Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne (2 receptions, 20 yards) played only the first series before yielding to backups. Running backs Dominic Rhodes (4 rushes, 12 yards) and Joseph Addai (3 rushes, 3 yards, 2 receptions), who are battling for starting running back duties, will look to improve upon less- than-memorable outings versus St. Louis. A major storyline on Sunday night will revolve around the kicking game, as kicker Adam Vinatieri (left ankle) and punter Hunter Smith (groin) will both be unavailable due to injuries. Free agent kicker Shane Andrus will likely handle placements and kickoffs, with journeyman Reggie Hodges a possibility in punting situations. Among other notables, tackles Montae Reagor (knee) and Corey Simon (knee) as well as safeties Bob Sanders (shoulder) and Mike Doss (calf) will be out, while wideout Brandon Stokley (ankle) could miss the remainder of the preseason. The Colts will be attempting to halt a seven-game preseason losing streak dating back to the latter stages of the 2004 preseason, an unsuccessful run that included an 0-5 mark in 2005.

The Seahawks will be seeking to generate their first touchdown of the preseason, but will be doing so minus the services of tight end Jerramy Stevens, who is expected to miss six weeks with a knee injury. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (4-of-6, 46 yards against Dallas) will be attempting to get on the same page with Itula Mili, who moves up the depth chart at tight end after missing all of last season with an intestinal disorder. Hasselbeck, running back Shaun Alexander (6 rushes, 13 yards) and the entire first-team offense should see more time than it did in the Cowboys loss. The Seahawk offensive line will be attempting to rebound after surrendering six sacks against Dallas. On the injury front, center Robby Tobeck (elbow), wideout Darrell Jackson (knee), and defensive linemen Grant Wistrom (shoulder), Rocky Bernard (knee), and Joe Tafoya (shoulder) will be among the Seahawks absent from Sunday's contest.

The Colts lead the all-time preseason series with the Seahawks, 9-8, breaking a deadlock in the series with a 21-7 victory in the last such meeting, prior to the 2003 season. Indianapolis also holds a 5-4 edge in the regular season series, though Seattle prevailed by a 28-13 count at home when the clubs last met, in 2005.