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Denver Broncos Inside Slant

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Updated Dec 11, 2009 2:20 AM ET
     
 
All week, the Denver Broncos have done their best to avoid making this game bigger than it is.

They say Sunday's game against the 12-0 Colts won't define them. They say the Colts' pursuit of an NFL record 22nd consecutive regular-season win isn't their focus, and they don't really pay any attention to Indianapolis' chances at going perfect this season.

"My big focus this week is beating them because it'll mean we'll be 9-4," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "That's the most important thing for me and our team."

But the Broncos surely know a win over the Colts would help validate their success this season and be a huge step towards a playoff berth while keeping them in the AFC West race with San Diego.

McDaniels has some personal pride on the line, although he has not made a big deal about it this week. He was offensive coordinator for the only 16-0 team in NFL history, the 2007 New England Patriots. The Colts are tied with that Patriots team for longest regular-season winning streak in NFL history. That's why a win might be about just a bit more than adding a win to his own team's record.

"If it in some way it can derail history ... " McDaniels said, smiling. "Then it is what it is."

The focus won't stray far, however. The Broncos go into Sunday's game with a legitimate chance to be more competitive against the Colts than some of the past few matchups.

The secondary is much better, allowing the fewest pass plays of 40 yards or more in the NFL and the second fewest yards per game. The Broncos are running the ball well, which should help keep Colts quarterback Peyton Manning off the field. And the Broncos have the depth at receiver to create some mismatches with Indianapolis' young secondary.

Still, they understand the challenge this week presents.

"You've got to play a pretty close to an error-free game, which is hard to do," defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said. "They're a very complete football team."

The Broncos are also well aware of how other teams have let a win over the Colts slip away after leading late. So they need to play well, and not let up.

"You can't play 56 minutes," McDaniels said. "If you've played 56 good minutes, you might have a smile on your face and you're going to lose. If you play 58 good minutes, it might be the same situation. You've got to play 60 minutes or longer, if it takes longer."

SERIES HISTORY: 18th regular-season meeting. Broncos lead series 11-6. The Colts, however, have won four of the last five, including two blowout wins in the playoffs. Denver's only win in that stretch was the regular-season finale in 2004, when the Colts rested many of their starters.
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