Colts turn attention to Kansas City

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Colts let an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot and possibly win the AFC South championship slip away Sunday in Houston.  N,w the team turns its attention to Kansas City, a game they should win. 

If the Colts win one of their last two regular season games, they’ll clinch their tenth playoff berth in 11 years.  If they drop both games, they’ll need other teams to lose to clinch.

If the Colts are going to beat the Chiefs, the offensive line must do a better job of protecting Andrew Luck.  The rookie was sacked five times yesterday to bring his season total to 37. Interim head coach Bruce Arians said today, even though the Chiefs are two and 12, they are still a tough assignment and his team is not preparing for the playoffs just yet

"No, we need to get in the playoffs,” Arians said.  “All we're thinking about is getting there.  We're not there yet.  We're going to have to beat a good team on the road in a really hostile environment this week.  Kansas City's record doesn't show it, but they're one of the best defensive teams I think in the league, talent-wise and scheme-wise."

“It's obviously, disappointing not to get the win this past weekend and a chance maybe for the division,” quarterback Andrew Luck added.  “We realize we're sort of in a two-game season and one win can mean the playoffs and we're excited to try and go get one."

The Colts had their chances Sunday against the Texans. 

They just made too many mistakes on key possessions. Mewelde Moore fumbled on the one yard line and the special teams had a punt blocked leading to a touchdown.  The encouraging news is the team has been able to correct its mistakes from week to week.  The Colts haven't lost two games in a row all season.

“Never allow one loss to turn into two, period,” WISH TV Sportslocker analyst Cory Redding told reporters.  “You have to dig deep a little bit more to learn what you messed up on, work on it and challenge yourself to be better.  If you made those mistakes a week before, don't make them again. ”

“We just realize it's one week and whatever happened that one week, doesn't matter for the next, whether we win or lose,” rush linebacker Dwight Freeney said.  “You just learn from the mistakes in a win and in a loss and just move on to that next week and that is the most important game. ”

Arians said that linebacker Kavell Connor, safety Tom Zbikowski, center Samson Satele, and running back Delone Carter have already been ruled out of Sunday’s game in Kansas City. 

The Colts hope to have head coach Chuck Pagano back on the sidelines for the season finale against Houston at Lucas Oil Stadium, but Arians said nothing is official yet.  He added that they hope to have more information later in the week.