NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The final score -- 27-10 -- was meaningless because the Indianapolis Colts already had secured their playoff spot.
Sunday's game was about fine-tuning things in the Colts' final preparation before the playoffs and avoiding anymore injuries against the Tennessee Titans. And as the clocks struck all zeroes at LP Field, Indianapolis immediately shifted its attention to something more important.
"We're on to the next," the players said as they left the field. "Now it's a new season. Whatever it takes."
"Whatever it takes" easily could be the Colts' playoff slogan because that's where things stand with them these days. A certain identity, a certain playing style is something they lack.
You can't count on the Colts' defense because they've struggled against pocket passers this season. You're wasting your time holding out hope that they'll have a running game because we've seen how they've failed in that area.
The only consistent thing you know you'll get from the Colts is the play of quarterback Andrew Luck. And even then, he's bound to turn the ball over at some point because his competitive nature gets the best of him at times.
"It's playoff time, it's a new season," receiver Reggie Wayne said. "No matter what the record was, it's who the best team is that day."
The Colts spent the first part of the season being the best offensive team in the NFL. They had just enough of a running game to complement Luck and his arm to be at the top of the league in time of possession. You thought they wouldn't have a problem outscoring an opponent if the game was a shootout.
The same can't be said today.
The offensive line is ravished with injuries, tight end Dwayne Allen is dealing with a knee injury and Wayne left Sunday's game with a groin injury. Sunday was the first time in three games the Colts had more than 300 yards of total offense.
"It's one-and-done," coach Chuck Pagano said. "We all know the stakes get higher and it's single elimination, so whatever we have to do to win a game, that's what we are going to do. We have to get healthy and do whatever we have to do to win a game. If we have to throw it 50 times, then we throw it 50 times. But, hopefully, we will be able to have some balance."
The mind frame of the defensive players inside the locker room after the game was on Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger and Cincinnati's Andy Dalton, two pocket passers. The Colts will face one of them in the wild-card game at Lucas Oil Stadium next weekend.
Roethlisberger, Tony Romo, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady all had their way against the Colts this season. Now they face the challenge of trying to put pressure on Dalton or Roethlisberger. Indianapolis recorded only two sacks in its five losses this season. Four of those loses came to playoff teams: Pittsburgh, Dallas, Denver and New England.
The Colts did beat Dalton and the A.J. Green-less Bengals 27-0 back in October.
"It doesn't matter if they are a pocket passer or a scrambler, we have to treat them like they are one of the best quarterbacks in the league," Colts defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois said. "Whether he is running or standing in the pocket, we still have to attack him like we attack any other quarterback to make him uncomfortable."
Sit back and buckle up, because the Colts are going to have an interesting ride in the playoffs.
