Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell (Darron Cummings/AP Photo)
Not much will change around the Indianapolis Colts. Certainly not this week.
Jim Caldwell, in his first season as the Colts' head coach, said while the team moved closer to homfield advantage Sunday – tying an NFL record for consecutive regular-season victories in the process – the day-to-day approach won't change.
"This game would not be any different,” Caldwell said Monday of a game against the Denver Broncos (8-4) Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis Sunday in which the Colts (12-0) can clinch homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a victory.
“We have to look at this game and go at it the same way we have every other game that we've played, meaning we have to focus in on our practice, how we prepare and our preparation and let that take care of itself.”
The Colts, who a week ago clinched a sixth AFC South title in seven years, can clinch homefield Sunday because the two 9-3 AFC teams -- San Diego and Cincinnati – will play on December 20. That means if the Colts win Sunday either Cincinnati or San Diego could tie the Colts for the AFC's best record, but not both.
The Colts with a victory over Denver would assure themselves a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over San Diego and Cincinnati, therefore clinching the top seed.
“If that's happening to you, that means you've been able to certainly win some games along the way and do the things that are necessary to get you to that point,” Caldwell said Monday, a day after a 27-17 victory over AFC South rival Tennessee. “Our guys have been really focused and, I think, looking at things in the proper way. They haven't taken an overall corporate view of anything.”
The Colts last held the No. 1 seed in 2005, when they finished 14-2. They clinched the seed in the 13th game of that season.
“That does indeed happen for you as long as you keep winning,” Caldwell said. “That's the key: if you win, it seems to take care of itself in that regard, that you don't necessarily need anyone's help. I think what it really boils down to is you have to control the things that you can control.
“That's what we try to do week to week.”
The Colts with the victory over Tennessee not only remained one of two unbeaten teams in the NFL along with New Orleans – a 33-30 winner over Washington Sunday – they tied the NFL regular-season record for consecutive victories with 21.
Asked if the Colts would be better off losing in the regular season to not be under the postseason pressure of being unbeaten, Caldwell replied, “I’m not certain if you ever benefit from a loss.
“Our goal is to certainly go out and play every game and play as hard as we possibly can to put ourselves in the best position to win it," he said. "What comes as a result of those efforts is we’d like to look at the finished product.
“The ultimate goal is to win it all. Robert Browning said, ‘A man’s reach should always exceed his grasp or what’s a heaven for?’ That’s in our line of thinking as well.”
MORE COLTS COVERAGE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 27, TENNESSEE TITANS 17. HERE. COLTS WORK OUT J.P. LOSMAN. HERE
MAGNIFICENT SEVEN: WHY THE COLTS MUST REST IF THEY CLINCH HOMEFIELD. HERE
FREENEY: No trophies for 16-0. Here.
MATHIS: AFC Defensive Player of the Month. Here.
CALDWELL: 16-0 not that important. Here.
DOES PEYTON MANNING GET TOO MUCH RESPECT? HERE
POLIANS' CONTRACTS EXTENDED. HERE
COLTS FANS OWE RB JOSEPH ADDAI AN APOLOGY. HERE
*** CATCH UP WITH ALL THINGS COLTS ON INDY FOOTBALL REPORT. HERE
*** READ JOHN OEHSER'S INDIANA PACERS COVERAGE. HERE.
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