Perfection rejection just part of Colts' ultimate playoff plan

INDIANAPOLIS -- As Peyton Manning sees it, the past is past.

And, really, if there has been a theme around the Colts quarterback and the rest of the organization in recent weeks as their bodies have gotten healthier and their minds have turned toward the postseason, it has been that.

Not whether they missed out on history.

Not the controversy surrounding their late-season approach.

And certainly not what could have been.

What Manning said the Colts have focused upon in recent weeks -- before they learned who their first postseason opponent was and certainly since finding out it will be the familiar and capable Ravens -- is their difficult immediate future, one that makes worrying about the past seem pretty pointless.

So while the nation has discussed the whys and why nots of the Colts' late-season decision-making, Manning said the Colts did something else as the postseason approached.

"All we've done is go to work," Manning said this week as the AFC South champs prepared to host the Ravens on Saturday.

The Colts' first goal late in the season was to get healthy. That was what prompted them to remove front-line players late in the year and forego a chance at an unbeaten regular season.

Entering the postseason they have accomplished that goal, with Colts president Bill Polian saying earlier this week all healthy players likely will be available for Baltimore.

The goal this week? To prepare for a Ravens team that players and coaches say has improved dramatically since a 17-15 Indianapolis victory at Baltimore in November.

That victory, the Colts' seventh against Baltimore in as many meetings since 2002, was a tight game decided when Indianapolis forced two late turnovers, including an interception by linebacker Gary Brackett off Joe Flacco inside the Colts 20.

"They played great against us," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "They gave us everything we could handle, so they still play a suffocating defense."

Caldwell said the Ravens played the same way and executed at a high level this past Sunday against the Patriots, a team that entered the postseason as the No. 3 seed but never contended against Baltimore.

Manning said while his "game within the game" matchups with perennial Pro Bowler Ray Lewis always draw attention, as big an issue for the Colts offense is blocking linebacker Terrell Suggs and figuring the whereabouts of safety Ed Reed, whose ability to create turnovers is on par with any defensive player of the last 10 years.

"They're very tough to run on," Caldwell said. "They're very tough to throw passes on. Obviously, they're what we have to contend with. They're a great defensive unit."

What Caldwell and the rest of the Colts say they're not contending with this week is pressure -- at least not any beyond what is normal in the postseason.

Fully healthy, Peyton Manning and Co. are ready for a Ravens rematch. (AP)

"I'll be honest: I dropped it on the following Monday," four-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday said. "There's nothing you can do about it. We moved on as a team. And we have to get to serious business.

"Whatever happened two weeks ago is not going to affect the outcome of Saturday night, I can assure you. Both teams are going to have to show up, be effective and do what their game plan calls for. Whatever happened in that, I think all of that has been carried on by the media. I don't think any player has been concerned about it, and we've tried to move on as a team."

Said Manning: "All I'm really concerned with is how our team has responded, and I think we addressed it. It's been almost three weeks ago now. We've kind of put it to bed, and we've tried moved on since then. I think our team has responded in the right way."

Such has been the line of questioning around the Colts; not only this week as they prepare for the Ravens, but since the Jets game. While the Colts spent their bye week in training camp mode -- working first-team offense against first-team defense -- speculation has emerged about increased pressure thanks to the late-season approach, and because the Colts are the top seed.

While they have prepared this week for the first home playoff game in Lucas Oil Stadium history, story lines have circled about not just momentum and rust, but history, perception and just how angry fans -- and even players -- should or shouldn't be.

But Caldwell, heading into his first postseason game as head coach, said the reality is that the past is very much the past, and that the Colts' season will be a disappointment without a Super Bowl title.

"Here's the thing: In this league, there's only one happy team at the end of the year," Caldwell said with a laugh. "So, cut and dried, there's no question about it.

"That's what we're here for, to win it all."