Fasten your seat belts, the ride is about to get faster.

After two weeks of playing physical, grind it out opponents, the Cowboys will face an aerial circus when the Colts pay a visit Sunday. Indy sports a 2-0 record under new coach Lindy Infante, who took over for the fired Ted Marchibroda.

The big news is the high number of injured Colts. Indianapolis won a match of attrition against the Jets last week; as of Thursday morning, seventeen players were on the injured list. Some will play against the Cowboys, but several key players will not suit up.

Topping this list is running back Marshall Faulk. He sprained a foot in the second quarter of the New York game and is listed as doubtful. Defensive end Tony Bennett joins Faulk as a probable no-show. He is the Colts' best pass rusher, and his absence will be a relief to Troy Aikman and the Dallas offensive line.

The injuries should not suggest that the Colts will be pushovers. Indianapolis came within a dropped pass of playing Dallas in the Super Bowl last January. They are one of the deepest teams in the AFC, especially at the skill positions. In their depleted condition, they still present a bigger problem -- on paper anyway -- than the Giants or the Bears.

WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL

The Colts are run by the offensive magician Infante. He came to NFL notoriety as the offensive coordinator for the Browns in the mid 80's. His offenses powered Marty Schottenheimer's teams to two AFC title games. He later took over the Packers and orchestrated an exciting, if erratic offense that featured QB Don Majkowski and a young receiver named Sterling Sharpe.

After losing the Packers' job, Infante left football for a while before resurfacing as Ted Marchibroda's offensive coordinator last year.

Infante is known for his complex passing schemes, and this Colts team can certainly throw. What makes Infante's current squad so dangerous is that it features the best backfield he has coached since Ernest Byner and Kevin Mack played for him in Cleveland.

The offense is headed by Jim Harbaugh. Drafted by Chicago, Harbaugh toiled in Mike Ditka's conservative dink and dunk system. He flourished after relocating in Indianapolis, heading the NFL's quarterback ratings last year. Harbaugh is an intelligent, gritty quarterback who can beat you in a variety of ways. He gained a reputation for having an average arm, but he throws a deadly accurate deep pass. Harbaugh is a gifted scrambler in the Steve Young, Mark Brunell mold. Infante will often spread the field and let Harbaugh run. A quarterback draw against the Jets last week gave Indianapolis its final touchdown.

The Cowboys will have to be aware of Harbaugh's position at all times and keep him in the passing pocket. In last week's win against the Giants, Cowboys ends took wide rushes in order to keep Dave Brown from scrambling. This strategy likely cut into Dallas' sack totals, but it kept New York's passing game under control. The Cowboys will probably use this approach again.

Dallas Defense

Key: 31-Brock Marion, 28-Darren Woodson, 59-Darrin Smith, 55-Fred Strickland, 51-Broderick Thomas, 26-Kevin Smith, 94-Charles Haley, 78-Leon Lett, 95-Chad Hennings, 92-Tony Tolbert, 21-Deion Sanders

                    31
                    o                     28
                                          o
                59      55         51
  26            o       o          o                21                                  
  o         94     78         95       92           o                                   
            o      o          o        o
____________________________________________________________
  o         o     o     o     o     o     o
  87        71    64    63    58    67    85        o                                                   
                        o                           88              
                        4                          
                        o
                        32
                        o
                        21

Indianapolis Offense

Key: 87-Sean Dawkins, 71-Kipp Vickers, 64-Doug Widell, 63-Eric Mahlum, 58-Jay Leeuwenberg, 67-Jason Matthews, 85-Ken Dilger, 88-Marvin Harrison, 4-Jim Harbaugh, 32-Zack Crockett, 21-Lamont Warren.

The Colts use a variety of formations. They will line up the the I, the Pro Set, and a number of three and four receiver sets, depending on the situation. Indianapolis has a strong running game, so it will likely open in the I. This formation best utilizes the running skills of Faulk and Lamont Warren. Warren is a speedy back from Colorado who played extremely well in the playoffs last year. Zack Crockett is a 241 pound fullback who emerged in the Colts' playoff run. He is fast for a man his size and has good moves.

The Colts can grind if they are healthy, but at present their offensive line is beaten up. Tackle Kipp Vickers and guard Jay Leeuwenberg missed considerable practice time this week. Vickers has a sprained knee and his status is questionable. Infante was notorious for abandoning his running game early while in Green Bay. He has not shown that tendency with the Colts, but his team was shut down by the Jets front last week; Colts' runners gained only 71 yards on 29 attempts.

Complicating matters for the Colts is a Cowboys front that is playing strong run defense. The Cowboys played a much more aggressive version of their wide-end 4-3 last week, limiting Rodney Hampton to just 44 yards on the ground. The Cowboys took the game to New York, running many more stunts and run blitzes than they had in the past. Look for Dallas to try more stunts early, to shift Infante's attention to the passing game.

The Cowboys used an interesting variation of their defensive line rotation last week. In the past, Dallas has substituted on downs. On first down, for instance, run stuffers like Tony Casillas and Russell Maryland would play tackle. On obvious passing downs, better pass rushers like Leon Lett and Chad Hennings would enter the game.

Against the Giants, defensive line coaches Craig Boller and Tommy Hart starting substituting by series. On one sequence of plays, Haley, Lett, Hennings and Tolbert would line up, right to left. On the following series, Hurvin McCormack, Lett, Tony Casillas and Kavika Pittman would play. The result was an even distribution of playing time among the linemen. If this rotation continues to be effective, it will give Haley's back and Tolbert's knees some much needed rest.

SUCCESS WILL LIKELY COST A NICKEL

Cowboys Nickel Defense

Key: 31-Brock Marion, 30-George Teague, 40-Bill Bates, 28-Darren Woodson, 26-Kevin Smith, 29-Alundis Brice, 21-Deion Sanders

          31                   30   
          o                    o
                         40                28
  26    29               o                 o         21
  o     o                                            o                                  
             o      o          o       o
___________________________________________________________
  o          o     o     o     o     o     o
 87     o                o                 85        o
        80               4                          88
          
                         o
                         21

Indianapolis Three Receiver Set

Key: 87-Sean Dawkins, 80-Aaron Bailey, 85-Ken Dilger, 4-Jim Harbaugh, 88-Marvin Harrison, 21-Lamont Warren.

The key to the game will likely be the success of Dallas' nickel defense against the Colts' three wideout formation. The Colts had some difficulty against the Jets' stingy secondary last week, as receivers Marvin Harrison, Aaron Bailey and Sean Dawkins were held to just three receptions for 50 yards. The Colts main weapon was second year tight end Ken Dilger, who got behind Jets' linebackers and safeties consistently. His 156 yard day included a touchdown reception of 22 yards.

The Cowboys will likely counter this formation with their 4-0 package, which consists of three cornerbacks, three safeties and "linebacker" Bill Bates. The Cowboys run a more basic variant of this defense, which features Godfrey Myles in Bates' slot at middle linebacker and Darrin Smith in Woodson's spot over the tight end. Woodson, in turn, replaces Alundis Brice and covers the slot receiver.

This is a more basic version of a nickel, in that it features two linebackers and five defensive backs. It might be the formation of choice if the Colts decide to open the game with only one back. It would certainly give Dallas more beef up the middle and make the Cowboys more effective against running plays. The danger is that Dilger might repeat his tactics of last week and take Darrin Smith deep. If this occurs, Darren Woodson would probably get coverage responsibility for Dilger. Woodson regularly covers slot receivers, so a tight end would be a slower, if bigger task for him.

The job outside will also be difficult. Sean Dawkins and Marvin Harrison form a formidable pair of receivers. Dawkins is the smoother, possession receiver. He is most effective running routes in dead spots of opponents' zones. The rookie Harrison has been better than advertised. He has given Indianapolis a home run threat on passing plays and on punts.

The two will face Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith, who are arguably the best cover pair in the league. Smith has impressed everyone with his aggressive play, and has clearly put his Achilles tendon injury behind him. Both Harrison and Dawkins can get deep, but it's likely that Sanders will take the speedier Harrison, leaving Smith on Dawkins. Either way, these matchups will be worth watching.

WHEN DALLAS HAS THE BALL

Indianapolis Defense

Key: 29-Jason Belser, 49-David Tate, 55-Quentin Coryatt, 54-Jeff Herrod, 38-Eugene Danile, 34-Ray Buchanan, 95-Richard Dent, 98-Tony Siragusa, 61-Tony McCoy, 93-Freddie Joe Nunn, 59-Stephen Grant

                     29
                     o                 49
                                       o
                55       54    
  38            o        o                            34
  o          95    98          61    93    59         o                                       
             o     o           o     o     o
___________________________________________________________
  o          o     o     o     o     o     o
  21         71    61    53    73    79    86         o
                         o                            85
                         8
               o
               48
                         o
                         22

Dallas Offense

Key: 21-Deion Sanders, 71-Mark Tuinei, 61-Nate Newton, 53-Ray Donaldson, 73-Larry Allen, 79-Erik Williams, 86-Eric Bjornson, 8-Troy Aikman, 85-Kevin Williams, 48-Daryl Johnston, 22-Emmitt Smith.

Against the Giants, Dallas returned to what head coach Barry Switzer termed its "vanilla" offense. The results were far from boring. Dallas again looked like itself. The running game began to click. The team was able to stay in its base formations much of the time, since tight end Eric Bjornson finally supplied the inside threat that was so sorely missing in Chicago.

There is still room for improvement. Emmitt Smith's rushing average is an un-Emmitt-like 3.6 yards per carry. Of certain interest is the short yardage rushing game, which was stymied by the Giants early in last week's game.

The Cowboys may have found the right target. When healthy, the Colts have one of the deepest and fastest front sevens around. When healthy. Right now, Indy is struggling to put a squad on the field.

The injuries have taken their greatest toll at defensive end. At the beginning of the year, the Colts could rotate Trev Alberts, Tony Bennett, Ellis Johnson and Richard Dent at end. All four are exceptionable pass rushers. When the teams line up Sunday, only Dent will play. Alberts is out with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Johnson, a squat but quick end who could also play inside, suffered two concussions late in the preseason and is being held out for observation. Bennett opened strong, but sprained a knee against the Jets and is listed as doubtful. The situation is not much better in the back seven. Linebacker Stephen Grant, an every down player for the Colts, pulled a groin and will probably sit out the game. His place will be taken by recent acquisition Elijah Alexander.

In the secondary, starting cornerbacks Ray Buchanan and Eugene Daniel are hurting. Daniel missed most of this week's practice nursing a sore knee. Buchanan, a Pro Bowl cornerback, strained a hamstring against New York.

The Colts must somehow generate a pass rush in order to keep Troy Aikman from exploiting their gimpy secondary. They would normally bring any and all types of blitzes, given the number of talented rushers on their roster. This week, the Colts options will obviously be limited. Look for the speedy Quentin Coryatt to join the rush from his weakside linebacker position. Expect the Cowboys to be ready for him; two weeks of constant blitzing from the Bears and Giants have given the Dallas line plenty of practice.

Look for Dallas to keep its attack simple. With Indy short of live bodies, Emmitt Smith and Sherman Williams will get plenty of carries. The plan will probably be to tire the Colts. A potential mismatch is on the left side of the line, where Richard Dent gives up over 50 pounds to left tackle Mark Tuinei.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Any good work by the defense will go down the drain if the special teams ignore this edict: keep the ball away from Marvin Harrison. Harrison set up one Colts touchdown last week with an electrifying 29 yard punt return. Look for John Jett to aim all his punts towards the sideline, in the hopes of pinning Harrison to one sector of the field.

PREDICTION

The Colts are a talented and gutty team. They have not used injuries as an excuse and believe they have a chance to win the game. It is unlikely that a Colts team which could barely practice could suddenly turn it on this Sunday. Look no further than Dallas for proof. The Cowboys went through weeks of injury filled and travel interrupted practice during the pre-season. When the regular season opened, they were not ready to play.

The Colts have heart, but will they have the execution? Probably not. The Cowboys are 16-3 against the AFC the last four years. This should be number seventeen.

DALLAS 24, INDIANAPOLIS 13