Indianapolis ? Not long after wrapping up the AFC South title last week, the Indianapolis Colts started to think about redemption.

All the Colts wanted was a second shot at Denver — and another chance in the playoffs.

“I don’t think it’s a revenge thing,” center Jeff Saturday said. “We just didn’t play very well, and anytime you have a subpar effort, you want another chance.”

The Colts’ 31-17 loss to Denver (10-6) has lingered in their thoughts for two weeks. They’ve been hounded with questions, struggled for answers and eagerly awaited a chance to put their worst game of the season behind them.

A victory in today’s first-round playoff game would be the perfect remedy.

“Obviously, they were better than us the first time around and you don’t get a second chance at a team very often,” Peyton Manning said. “We’ve got to be better, we’ve got to make plays.”

In the first matchup, the Colts (12-4) did little right.

They couldn’t stop the run, the defense couldn’t get off the field and the offense never had a chance. The result was a loss that was two points worse than their previous three combined.

Squandering a chance to win the division crown at home and a chance at a first-round bye also bothered the Colts.

For a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since 1995, it seemed the Colts had the perfect scenario. But the Broncos delivered a crushing blow.

“You know they’ll make adjustments,” Broncos running back Clinton Portis said.