MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The paths the Colts and Saints took to tonight’s game are remarkably similar. New Orleans started the season with a 13-0 record, and then lost its last three. Indianapolis, meanwhile, was 14-0 before dropping its final two regular-season games.
Both were dominant in winning home postseason games just to get to this point.
And both have had season-defining decisions in Miami this year. Indianapolis rallied for a 27-23 victory over the Dolphins in the season’s second week with 14 fourth-quarter points. The Colts had possession of the football for a little less than 15 minutes in the entire game.
In late October, meanwhile, the Saints posted a 46-34 win over Miami with a comeback of their own. New Orleans trailed 34-24 late in the third quarter but scored 22 fourth-quarter points to put away the Dolphins.
“We kind of hung in there in the second half and made a few plays, got some turnovers and capitalized on them, and that ended up really making the difference and giving us a chance to win,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “All those things, I think, build confidence, and you hope to draw on those things in the postseason.”
Colts coach Jim Caldwell has said the Sept. 21 win over Miami set the tone for the way the Colts would play over the course of the season. Indianapolis had a league-leading seven fourth-quarter comebacks in 2009.
“We were supposedly not going to do very well in that ball game because of the problems we would face battling a very, very fine Dolphins team,” Caldwell said. “And our team found a way. They fight through adversity. And I think, more so than anything else, that game really gave us a little boost early in the season. It really gave us a sense that there’s not a whole lot that can stop us if we play well.”
Colts
Seasons salvaged in Miami
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Another surgery for Manning?
According to a Wednesday report by Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks on the magazine’s website, Peyton Manning underwent an unreported follow-up procedure on his injured neck last summer and the Indianapolis Colts believe further surgery is inevitable in the future.
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Irsay throws ball into Manning's court
The March 8 deadline for the Indianapolis Colts to determine the future of quarterback Peyton Manning is quickly approaching.
And owner Jim Irsay fired off the most recent salvo in an ongoing public-relations standoff Tuesday.
Contradicting rampant speculation by the national media concerning Manning’s imminent departure, Irsay told the Indianapolis Star’s Mike Chappell the team would love to have the four-time MVP back.
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Report: Peyton Manning cleared to resume playing
According to ESPN, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has been medically cleared to play next season. The report stated that Manning was cleared by two doctors, including Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed the most recent surgery on the quarterback's neck.
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Irsay: Mathis, Garcon are priorities
Expect defensive end Robert Mathis and wide receiver Pierre Garcon to be priorities for the Indianapolis Colts during free agency. According to Colts owner Jim Irsay, Mathis and Garcon are both unrestricted free agents and appear to be the cornerstones for the team moving forward. Veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne, meanwhile, may be suiting up for another team in 2012.
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Manning: I have no plans to retire
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning made one thing clear Tuesday. He has no plans to retire any time soon.
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Ravens hire Caldwell as coach
Jim Caldwell is back in the NFL, this time as the Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach. The 57-year-old Caldwell was hired on Monday by the Ravens. The appointment comes less than two weeks after Caldwell was fired as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts following a 2-14 season.
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Anderson native instrumental in Colts' move to Indy
When Hoosiers look at those responsible for bringing Super Bowl XLVI to Indianapolis, they might well consider Paul R. Oakes.
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Reports: Arians set to join Colts
Multiple media reports, including one by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, indicated Saturday that former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians will accept the same post with the Indianapolis Colts.
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Irsay, Manning make nice in letter
Peyton Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay insist they are just fine after a week filled with complaints and comments suggesting a rift had developed following one of the most miserable seasons in team history.
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Manning, Irsay insist they are on same page
Peyton Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay insist they are just fine after a week filled with complaints and comments suggesting a rift had developed following one of the most miserable seasons in team history.
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