Pagano, Colts begin prep for Peyton
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE
INDIANAPOLIS -- And so, Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts and former Colt record-setting quarterback Peyton Manning now brace for another collision.
By virtue of their 26-10 victory Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, the AFC No. 4 seed Colts will travel to No. 2 seed Denver on Jan. 11 to meet the Broncos, who now have that Manning fellow under center.
Indianapolis defeated Denver in 2013 in a regular-season game, and the Broncos opened the 2014 season with a 31-24 victory against the Colts in Denver.
The winner of this game will play for the AFC championship, and Denver and Indianapolis will play in 2015 in Lucas Oil Stadium.
No matter how hard they try, Luck and Manning can't seem to avoid each other. Less than 45 minutes after Sunday's game ended, Luck and Colts coach Chuck Pagano were peppered with questions about facing Manning and the Broncos yet again.
"To me, we face the Broncos, and it's not quarterback versus quarterback," Luck said. "At the same time, I have a lot of respect for him and for what he does. It is amazing. But I have to worry about the Denver defense. Now, we have to try and keep the journey alive."
Pagano is eager for the challenge.
"This is a great opportunity," Pagano said. "Week One seems like a lifetime ago. We dug ourselves a hole and found a way to get back within a touchdown. We have another shot at their place. It's always a challenge to play the Broncos, and obviously, they have a great, great quarterback. It is a huge challenge, but we will embrace the opportunity."
Pagano is confident Luck will be ready to match Manning in the passing game.
"Today, Andrew was outstanding," Pagano said. "He just took what they gave him. And I think that is why Boom Herron had 10 catches. They weren't going to let our game-breakers get behind them, so there were a bunch of things underneath. The magical touchdown pass to Donte Moncrief was Andrew at his finest. He made great decisions all day long."
--With Trent Richardson limited by flu-like symptoms, Herron rushed 12 times for 56 yards and caught 10 passes for 85 yards. Herron filled the role that Ahmad Bradshaw had played in the 27-0 regular-season win over the Bengals.
"He is gaining confidence," Pagano said of former Ohio State standout Herron. "There were some plays out there that he would like to have back, but the guy is a playmaker who can create. When there is not much there, he has the ability to create his own yards and make people miss in space. I am proud of where he is. It is coming at a good time."
Pagano expected Richardson to play until late Friday.
Richardson practiced on Wednesday and Thursday, and then was dealing with the flu and missed Friday's practice. Herron got most of the reps on Friday and Saturday, so Pagano went with him Sunday.
"We anticipate having him back for the Denver game," Pagano said.
--Having failed to win a playoff game since 1991, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis still believes his team has the right pieces to win.
"I think we do have to be happy with the core," Lewis said. "But obviously we got depleted by injuries late in the season. That is part of it though, and we've got to keep finding a way. I think guys gained experience through this. It is a learning experience for some to always be ready. We have done a good job of that, but today, it was not quite enough."
--The Colts are expecting plenty of pressure packages from the Denver Broncos this week. Luck had two interceptions and was hit six times, including six sacks, in the Week 1 loss at Mile High. Indianapolis has battled injuries on the offensive line all season. Other than left tackle Anthony Castonzo, who started all 17 games, the Colts have used at least three starters at every offensive line position.
"I think this was our 11th starting lineup when you talk about the offensive line," Pagano said. "Credit the offensive line coaches and those players for sticking to the process and those guys staying ready, and having a quarterback that, he's unflappable that way. It doesn't really matter, as long as we've got five guys in front of him, he doesn't really care who the jersey numbers are."
