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INDIANAPOLIS -- Yes, Peyton Manning threw a touchdown on his first NFL pass. Beyond that, the Indianapolis Colts got little out of their top pick in their preseason opener.
They're looking for more out of No. 1 on Monday night when they play the Cincinnati Bengals, a team still trying to figure out who will be its No. 1.
"I think you'll see quite a bit of improvement," coach Jim Mora said. "It will be a good experience for him because he's going to see an entirely different concept Monday night than he did last week."
The Bengals (0-1) will throw a scaled-back version of their zone blitz package at Manning, who struggled against Seattle's more traditional defense in the opener. Manning threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison, but wound up completing only 8 of 15 passes for 113 yards with an interception as the Seahawks won 24-21.
Manning said he was a little anxious in the opener and probably tried to do everything too fast. He wants to relax and move the offense better on Monday.
"We'd like to be more consistent as an offense," Manning said. "We did some good things -- the first drive was good. But after that, we sort of went flat a little bit.
"I'm more prepared for this game than I was the last one, and I'll be better prepared next year than I am now."
Manning is expected to play a half against the Bengals, who also have most of their focus on the quarterback spot. Unlike the Colts, who are developing a quarterback, the Bengals are just trying to find one.
Neither Jeff Blake nor Neil O'Donnell did anything noteworthy in a 24-17 loss to the New York Giants. Blake, trying to keep the starting job, completed three of six passes for 23 yards and threw two interceptions. O'Donnell, who signed as a free agent on July 7, played next and was 6-for-15 for 49 yards.
O'Donnell will start against the Colts and play roughly the first quarter, to be followed by Blake and Paul Justin, who sat out the opener with a sore knee.
Neither quarterback improved his chances in the opener. Coach Bruce Coslet said Monday night's game won't decide the issue, either. He's willing to wait until late in the preseason to name his starter.
"I don't know how it's going to come out. We've played only one preseason game," he said.
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