The third week of the preseason usually means that the starters see most of three quarters in the most important exhibition game. With just two weeks to go before the regular season gets underway, there is one contender that is at least a couple of weeks away from being ready, and they should be exposed when they take the field against the defending Super Bowl champions this Friday.

Green Bay Packers @ Indianapolis Colts

Friday, 8:00 PM ET

If there is any doubt who the most valuable player in the league to his team is, just take a look at the Colts’ numbers when quarterback Peyton Manning is not in the lineup. Manning missed the first couple of weeks of the preseason and won’t play until Indianapolis’ season opener, leaving Dan Orlovsky and Curtis Painter struggling to operate the offense. The Colts would never be 10-point underdogs at home against Green Bay if Manning was in the lineup, but with their franchise player sitting on the sidelines this one could get ugly in a hurry.

NFL Betting Pick: Green Bay Packers – 9.5

St. Louis Rams @ Kansas City Chiefs

Friday, 8:00 PM ET

The Rams pounded Indianapolis for 20 first half points in their preseason opener, then barely squeezed past the Tennessee Titans to improve to 2-0. Things won’t be as easy as they hit the road for the remainder of their exhibition schedule, but Sam Bradford has looked like a Pro Bowl caliber player and will want to keep his momentum going. The Chiefs should be able to keep it close over the course of the game, and it makes sense to take the points and the home team.

NFL Betting Pick: Kansas City Chiefs + 3