The Indianapolis Colts are one of the NFL’s best teams and did nothing to hurt their reputation in a three-point loss in New England on opening night.

Now they go into Tennessee an underdog for the second straight week, step two in a devastating early schedule.

But there’s reason for optimism for Peyton Manning and friends, underdogs by a point-and-a-half.

For one thing, they beat the Titans twice last year, including a 29-27 win in Nashville. For another, Tennessee already has injury problems.

And for a third, the Colts moved the ball well against the Patriots but were killed by three turnovers inside the 20-yard-line: two fumbles by Edgerrin James and an interception thrown by Manning.

“We’re 0-1 and we’re at the same place we ended last year,” coach Tony Dungy said. “We’re a good team, but you’ve got to do it week in and week out.”

The quarterbacks, co-MVPs Manning and Steve McNair, could cancel each other out. That could put the offenses on the legs of James and Chris Brown, who sprained his ankle and didn’t play after intermission. Left guard Zach Piller had surgery this week and will be replaced by rookie Jacob Bell.

Based on that and the questionable status of punter Craig Hentrich ….

COLTS, 22-21

Minnesota (plus 31/2) at Philadelphia (Monday night)

Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair keeps dry in the rain at practice. McNair, shown Thursday in Nashville, Tenn., and the Titans will play host to Indianapolis on Sunday.

The Vikings are better indoors than out.

EAGLES, 27-20

Pittsburgh (plus 4) at Baltimore

The Ravens won’t be embarrassed at home.

RAVENS, 19-6

New England (minus 8) at Arizona

Pat Tillman ceremonies will have the Cards fired up. Bill Belichick doesn’t allow letdowns and devours young QBs.

PATRIOTS 24-13

Carolina (plus 6) at Kansas City

The Panthers are without Steve Smith, and the defense looked ordinary against Ahman Green and the Packers. Priest Holmes romps.

CHIEFS, 27-16

St. Louis (plus 21/2) at Atlanta

The Rams needed a little luck to beat the Cardinals.

The luck runs out.

FALCONS, 27-24

Washington (minus 3) at New York Giants

Tom Coughlin’s silly fines have the Giants angry. They take it out on the Redskins.

GIANTS, 19-17

Denver (minus 3) at Jacksonville

Jake Plummer will only throw with his right arm.

BRONCOS, 27-20

Cleveland (plus 4) at Dallas

Jeff Garcia will carve up the Dallas defense if it plays as it did last week. Tuna won’t let it.

COWBOYS, 20-14

Chicago (plus 81/2) at Green Bay

Packers on a short week.

PACKERS, 23-17

Jets (minus 3) at San Diego

Chad Pennington will carve up the San Diego defense.

JETS, 32-24

Miami (plus 41/2) at Cincinnati

The Dolphins had to play early to avoid a hurricane last week, and they’re supposed to get the remnants in Cincinnati.

BENGALS, 26-16

San Francisco (plus 7) at New Orleans

SAINTS, 17-7

Seattle (minus 3) at Tampa Bay

SEAHAWKS, 20-9

Houston (plus 3) at Detroit

LIONS, 24-19

Buffalo (plus 31/2) at Oakland

RAIDERS, 15-14

LAST WEEK: 9-7 (Spread), 12-4 (straight up)