Postgame quotes from players and coaches following the Broncos‘ 16-28 loss to Indianapolis Sunday.

DENVER BRONCOS HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS (opening comments) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Start out with giving credit to the Colts.  They certainly set the bar here in the AFC.  We found out why when you play sixty minutes and make the mistakes we made today it is going to be difficult to beat a winning, top-caliber football team that plays well under pressure.  That team is extremely well coaches, Coach Caldwell and his staff do a great job and I want to give them credit today- they forced us in to making a lot of mistakes in situations that ultimately determined the outcome of the game.”

HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS (on whether it was the game plan to throw to WR Brandon Marshall so much) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It is part of it but not necessarily the game plan to throw it to him that many times.  We knew we’d have our chances to get the ball outside to the receivers.  It just so happened to be Brandon a lot more than usual.”

HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS (on costly mistakes) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“You can’t set yourself back the way we did today.  We had a few third and short opportunities there and end up with third and six- whether it is a delay or false start.  There was also that big penalty in the two minute offense right before the half that put us with the ball instead of on the fifty on the thirty-five.  You can’t give them yards and opportunities because they take advantage of them.  We knew that coming in that they are the best team in football at taking advantage of your mistakes and they did that.”

HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS (on the Colts Defense getting multiple short yardage stops)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

“They got penetration.  That is something that if you are going to create a hole or a running lane there-you go off tackle- you’re going to have to stop the penetration.  They did a great job today of getting in the backfield on a couple of those third and one’s.  They did that a few other times too.  Those big plays on those third and one’s was all because of penetration.”

HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS (on the WR Brandon Marshall’s twenty-one catches)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

“He played hard.  I think everybody on our team played hard today.  Brandon had a lot of productivity.  That’s great but I’m sure he would trade a bunch of that productivity for a victory today.  Again, individual things are great but we are looking for team accomplishments.”

QB-KYLE ORTON (on being down 14-0 early) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Certainly not the start we wanted to get off to, we thought going in we’d be right with them all the way to the fourth quarter and we end up doing that.  We’d talked all week about finishing every play and finishing every opportunity.  Certainly, we didn’t do that and kind of ended up like five or six other teams in the same situation-losing late in the fourth quarter to a great team.”

QB-KYLE ORTON (on the possibility of meeting the colts again in the play-offs)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Well, we know where we need to go.  They are clearly the class of the AFC and I’d love to see them again.  Right now, we are just focused on getting to that point.  Where we can finish those plays, finish those drives, finish those games, and compete.”

QB-KYLE ORTON (on the Red Zone being the strength of the Colts Defense)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

“That is where their speed shows up, their defensive ends get so much.  That’s when you’ve still got a timing issue because the defensive ends are coming at you and creating a lot of pressure and they’ve got that much less of a space to defend.  It’s a very good defense in the red zone- we knew we were going to have to be on top of our game and didn’t capitalize.”

QB-KYLE ORTON (on WR Brandon Marshall’s twenty-one catches)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

“In his case, it means a lot.  He got into a rhythm and we got into a rhythm together.  We were going after them and he kept making plays so I kept feeding it to him.”

WR-BRANDON MARSHALL (on the game being bitter sweet) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I believe it is one of those games where whenever you accomplish something like that it definitely feels good but at the end of the day we have one goal.  Our ultimate goal is to win games.  I would definitely trade in a couple of those catches for a win anytime. So, yes it is bitter sweet.”

WR-BRANDON MARSHALL (on the possibility of meeting the Colts again in the play-offs) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I don’t know about beating them, but we definitely saw today if we play our best and eliminate the mistakes we have a shot to play with the best of them.  We can walk away with our heads held high today.”

WR-BRANDON MARSHALL (on being down 14-0 early) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It is scary!  It is scary when you have Peyton Manning over there leading the offense and you’re down.  It is a scary feeling but with the character, the leaders we have on this team, the character we have in the locker room, we can’t do anything but keep going.”

WR-BRANDON MARSHALL (on giving a ball to a fan) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Before the game I just felt her spirit and her vibe.  She had my jersey on and that’s always a good feeling being on the road and seeing your jersey in the stands.  My fans have been behind me through everything I’ve been through and seen me grow.  For them to still support me means a lot to me.”

WR-BRANDON STOKLEY (on Brandon Marshall’s play) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Those days just happen. You don’t plan for them. They just happen. He made some great catches for us and he really kept us in the game.”

WR-BRANDON STOKLEY (on making mistakes against the Colts) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“You can’t do it if you want to win. You can’t make those mistakes against a good team like this and expect to win the game. Every time we made a mistake, they made us pay for it. Also, we can’t settle for field goals. You got to score touchdowns. A couple of times we had to settle for field goals and it always comes back to bite you.”

RB – KNOWSHON MORENO (on lost opportunities)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“There were definitely a lot of opportunities out there, but we played a really good team. Unfortunately, we didn’t come out with a win.”

RB – KNOWSHON MORENO (on frustration of defense giving the offense extra chances)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It’s definitely frustrating, but you’ve got to give it to them. They flew around today and made some big plays on defense, and we didn’t capitalize on our opportunities. Our defense played really well for us to keep us in the game so now we’ve got to get back to work.”

DL – KENNY PETERSON (on making the Colts offense look ordinary in the 2nd and 3rd quarters)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We just calmed down and played our game and everyone was playing together.  We got them off their spot a little bit and pressured him (Peyton Manning) and shut them down a little bit.”

DL – KENNY PETERSON (on giving the Denver offense a chance with the three turnovers)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It’s a team game.  Games that they don’t play as well we pick them up and they do vice-versa.  It’s a tough one.  At the end of the day we got a loss.”

DL – KENNY PETERSON (on having the chance to win and not capitalizing)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It’s the Colts.  Now we know how to play in this league.  They are a barometer of a good team in this league.  Now we know where we got to go.  We know where we got to go and what we got to do.”

OLB/DE – MARIO HAGGAN (on what they did different defensively in the 2nd and 3rd quarters)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We just had to calm down and play our type of game.  We were just making small mistakes.  Once we got that going and started playing our style of defense we made some things happen.  We just came up a few plays short.”

OLB/DE – MARIO HAGGAN (on making Peyton Manning look ordinary for a part of the game)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I wouldn’t say ordinary.  He’s an elite quarterback.  We made him do some things that are out of his character.  We feel like we have a great defense.  We feel like we can play with anybody.  He just came up as elite quarterbacks do and made the plays when they count.”

OLB/DE – MARIO HAGGAN (on the 4th quarter drive that put the game away)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Definitely.  The Colts, they trust him (Peyton Manning) and thats why he’s Peyton Manning.  First ballot guy in my opinion.  Once again we just have to keep fighting and have to give our hats off to them.  They played well.  They did the things to win.  We just have to go back, look at the film, see what we did wrong and get ready for Oakland.”

OLB/DE – DARRELL REID (on getting a piece of the ball on an interception)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I don’t know much else I did today.”

OLB/DE – DARRELL REID (on the difference defensively after the Colts jumped out to the early lead)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We tightened down.  I think coach (Mike) Nolan did a great job of mixing up the calls and getting guys opportunities.  I think they tightened down on the back end.  We tried to get to the spot, get a little pressure on Peyton (Manning).  I know Robert Ayers had a hit on him early.  A couple tipped balls caused a couple interceptions.  It’s tough.  You get a couple stops and they come right back and he is right back at it hitting (Reggie) Wayne and (Dallas) Clark.”

OLB/DE – DARRELL REID (on there being a moral victory since the Broncos hung with the Colts who are undefeated)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“At 21-0 the game could have gotten ugly at that point.  So, you walk away with a little pride that we hung in there even though we were down early and didn’t give up and kept fighting.  You can’t make the mistakes we made today and beat that team.  They set the bar in this league.  They are the best team in this league.  They proved that again today.”

CB-TY LAW (on disappointment with the loss) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It was very disappointing because I think when you into the game with high expectations. We felt very confident coming in that if we do what we were supposed to do that we could win the ballgame. But, you know, you got to give those guys credit. What else can you say? They are the standard for the NFL along with New Orleans. We played with them, but we just didn’t play long enough to win.”

CB-TY LAW (on his team’s slow start on defense)  Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It’s just about us getting into the rhythm defensively. It’s always those first couple of series. You’re getting warmed up and things like that. But they were just on it better than we were and we gave them too much cushion.”

December 13, 2009

DENVER BRONCOS vs. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS POST-GAME QUOTES

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (opening statement) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We got off to a fast start like we wanted to.  Guys came out and played extremely well there early on in the first half.  Obviously it’s a real good football team that we’re playing.  They were able to certainly stall us quite a bit in that second half.  They did a great job of playing defense.  I’m not certain I’ve seen a better defensive effort than what our guys put forth today.  They were very, very tough.  Had some key fourth down stops. That was incredible.  Did a great job just in terms of keeping them at bay.  And then at the end when we needed it, had to get that thing in the end zone our offense came up with a 15 play drive.  That was key.”

HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on will he deviate from what Coach Dungy has done down the stretch of the season in the past) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Right now we are really just going to try to celebrate and enjoy this moment.  I’ll get to that business at some point.  We’ll talk about it here in the next 24 hours or so and make a determination on how we approach that.”

HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the players having an input on whether to play down the stretch) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I think it’s important that you listen to everybody.  We’ll go and take some kind of a poll but we know where the final decision lies.  We will certainly listen to most of the guys, guys that have  been around here.  So we’ll have a conference on it or something.”

HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the fight in this team) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It’s been a very unusual team.  They are a very close-knit group of guys that understand how to fight in big games.  In particular when things may not be going well for one side of the ball or one phase and the way they stick together, the way they step up and play – you know we had some big

plays.  Tim Jennings had an opportunity to get in there and play some.  We had guys go down and guys pop up and play well.  Sessions (Clint) has certainly been all over the field here the last five or six weeks.  On and on and on there are just so many guys that have done a tremendous job of stepping in and filling the gap for one another.”

HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on going for it on fourth down early in game) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We had them in a situation where we wanted to be aggressive.  It was almost too far to kick a field goal and we certainly didn’t want to punt it.  So we kind of made a determination that this is an area where we may want to go for it.  Tom (Moore) did a nice job with the play call.  Peyton (Manning) did a great job with executing and a heck of a catch by Dallas (Clark) as well.  It was an area where we felt we had to be maybe a bit more aggressive.”

QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the game) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“They are an excellent defense.  Kind of my points of emphasis were obviously to get off to a good start.  We really wanted to score touchdowns in the redzone.  That is really where Denver can really tighten it up.  I thought that was huge for us, getting those touchdowns in the redzone.  Couple third down touchdowns.  Felt like Denver might have had us in a good position.  Got us in third and goal from the 7 or 8 yard line and we still got the touchdown.  That was critical.  I think Denver made some plays there.  I thought we had some bad luck.  Had a little tipped ball action going.  Balls bouncing kind of off helmets and going to them.  Kind of weathered the storm.  Our defense did a great job all day and then came up with an excellent drive when we had to have it there in the fourth quarter.  It was a game of sort of different streaks and momentum, but I think the main thing is we finished on a high note.”

QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the records and accomplishments achieved) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I didn’t really reflect upon it until Mr. (Jim) Irsay was speaking to us after the game. He kind of encouraged the team to reflect.  There is no question that is a lot of wins in a decade.  You do think about all the players that have been here.  A lot of them aren’t here, a majority of those guys aren’t here anymore.  So many players and I can’t start naming names or I’ll leave someone out.  So many players that have played a huge role.  So many coaches that have played a huge role.  Some of those that aren’t here as well.  I have always learned never to take winning for granted.  When you think about how many we won in those ten years, you take a minute to think about, it does kind of get you.  It is a bunch.  I appreciate all the hard work that has gone into those wins.”

QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the possibility of going 16-0 and resting players) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I haven’t had time to think about that.  This was a tough team.  This was a great mental challenge.  I spent a lot of time preparing for this team because of the different defensive looks they give you.  We got a short week on Thursday.  I haven’t had time to think about what we want to do.  Obviously we are going to do whatever Coach Caldwell tells us to do, but I haven’t spoken with the other veteran guys to get their sense or feelings.  The preparation, starting tomorrow morning will be to win as normal.  That is what I would expect to do.  That is where my thought process is.”

QB-PEYTON MANNING (on playing Jacksonville and the short week) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I would like to play against Jacksonville.  Every player can’t help it because you get asked about it a lot, but it truly has been one game at a time.  This Thursday game, being against Jacksonville, a division game.  We played them last year on Thursday.  It is a short week.  You don’t have time to think about anything else, except getting ready to play.  That is kind of where my preparation is at this point.”

QB-PEYTON MANNING (on resting players in the final 3 games) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Obviously it is a great, huge topic for analysis and different opinions.  I don’t think there is a right answer.  I think whatever plan Coach Caldwell gives us, that will be the right plan because that is what he decides and we will carry out.  Either way you are opening yourself up for second guessing.  I think every competitive player wants to be out there playing.  That is what we will plan to do as players.  I don’t know anything else, but the path to go to prepare to play to win.”

QB-PEYTON MANNING (on Dallas Clark and his redzone ability) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I have to believe they (Denver) would tell you that.  That is certainly something that is not a surprise, not revealing anything.  We certainly look for those kind of matchups.  And really Dallas is the kind of guy, he had Ty Law covering him all day.  In certain situations they actually played nickel versus our two tights (ends).  That tells you what they think about it.  So even if Ty Law covers him, you still have to try and get him the ball.  Certainly when you get linebackers and safeties you have to try and get him to the ball.  I thought on the second touchdown the guy had really excellent coverage.  He just made a great catch and kind of fought him off to get into the endzone.  He was huge for us in the redzone today.”

RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on the lack of a celebration after the big win) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It’s kind of hard to celebrate when you have a Thursday game. We can probably celebrate for about three or four hours today and that’s about it. We have to start getting ready for Jacksonville.”

RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on what the Colts need to improve down the stretch) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“What, 13-0 right now? A lot of people say it’s hard to find something wrong, but you can always go back and work on the fundamentals and the small things. … When we came into the training camp, our whole thing was working on the small things and that’s what we’ve been doing. Fourteen and zero, or 16 and zero, I think that really doesn’t matter. It’s just trying to get better.”

TE-DALLAS CLARK (on clinching homefield advantage) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“That’s our second goal for this year. Our first goal was winning the division, and then worry about homefield advantage after that. We were able to do that today. We knew we had a lot at stake. You have to give credit to Denver, they played really hard and really tough. They were giving us fits there in the second, third quarter and part of the fourth. That was a big drive (in the fourth quarter). Give credit to our defense, they balled out today, keeping them contained in the red zone.”

TE-DALLAS CLARK (on it being a very tough game for the Colts) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We knew it was going to be that type of game. We knew it was going to be a tough-fought game. They’ve been playing really well and playing with a lot of confidence. We knew everything we got, we were going to have to earn it. They weren’t going to give us anything, and they didn’t. They made us earn it. It was just a really good team victory. We were struggling there as an offense, and our defense really did a great job of keeping us in it.”

TE-DALLAS CLARK (on the Colts capitalizing in the red zone) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We always stress that, when we get in the red zone, we have to score touchdowns. It is so hard to get in the red zone, and it’s so hard to move the ball. When you get that close, you have to capitalize. You have to get a touchdown. We were able to do that today and that was huge. That was a big difference in the game, not settling for field goals and getting touchdowns and points when we needed too.”

TE-DALLAS CLARK (on getting off to a quick start) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“That’s huge. We always try to stress that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Today, it was a huge way to start. I think that really put them in a chase mode and got them out of their offense early. Our defense did a great job of keeping them contained. It was good that we were able to get that lead.”

TE-DALLAS CLARK (on scoring three touchdowns) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“That was fun. I don’t think I’ve ever done that, besides backyard football. That was cool. It was fun.”

TE-DALLAS CLARK (on with homefield advantage clinched what is his status on sitting out) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It will be a very popular question. To be honest with you, I don’t know. That’s why I enjoy being a player and not a coach. I wouldn’t want to make those decisions. If they want us to play, we’ll play, we’ll prepare and get better each week and go out there and play the game. It’s there call. It’s Coach Caldwell’s decision, and whatever he wants to do we’ll go with it.”

TE-DALLAS CLARK (on Coach Caldwell saying that he would take to some players and see what they thought about playing or sitting out) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“There’s a few other guys he’ll talk to before (me). He won’t be knocking on my door. I’d say, ‘What did Peyton say?’”

TE-DALLAS CLARK (on what happened to him after he scored the second touchdown) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I’ll tell you what, that hurt really bad. The linebacker, No. 59, (Wesley Woodyard) he read the run and he just came up the line and I tried to get around him and his elbow hit me right in the gut. I just held my breath until I caught the ball. Everything was cool, and then I just dropped. I couldn’t breathe. I was able to get it back, but it’s kind of embarrassing. You want to do those things on the sideline.”

WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on the accomplishment of being No. 1 seed) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We were striving for this. It was one of our goals. In the offseason, we wanted to clinch the division and try to get homefield advantage. We were able to do that and get it done early, so now it’s to be determined how the coaches deal with playing time and whatever. This is a big step for us. Hopefully we can just keep going.”

WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on the Colts’ dry spell during the game) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“You just have to keep trying. Those other guys get paid, too. They did a good job of mixing in some things and kind of giving us a little confusion here and there. But we just have to keep playing. We were able to get enough of a lead where that dry spell didn’t hurt us too bad.”

WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on Brandon Marshall’s record-setting day with 21 catches) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I take my hat off to him. … That’s how it is. Whenever you can get a guy with some rhythm, you kind of want to feed the beast. That’s what they were doing.”

WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on the Colts’ other accomplishments, like the 22-game regular-season win streak) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Our ultimate goal is the Super Bowl. If other records come in the midst of that, then it’s awesome. … We’ve been fortunate enough to have those other records in the way, as you can say, and we were able to achieve them. It’s a big pat on the back, but we still have the ultimate goal in front of us and that’s to win the Super Bowl.”

C-JEFF SATURDAY (on the Colts hanging on during their dry spell during the game) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Obviously, we weren’t playing the way we wanted, but you’re not behind in the game and you can’t let the moment overtake you. Guys kept battling and doing what we needed to do.”

DT-DANIEL MUIR (on the defense playing well when the offense struggled) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Sometimes, we have to have their back (and) most of time they have our back. That’s how we work as a unit.”

DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on 22 straight wins in the regular season and 114 wins in the 2000s) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“That’s a great accomplishment for this organization period. Year-in, year-out, we have definite players. It is never the same team. We’ve had a great transition this year from Coach Dungy to (current head coach) Jim (Caldwell). I think this is really a tribute to everybody, and what we do around here.”

DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on wrapping up homefield advantage) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We don’t ever take anything for granted. This is a big win for us. We locked up that No. 1 seed. Now, we’re just trying to clean up whatever we need to clean up and get ready for the playoffs.”

DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on if he wants to keep playing) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Personally, I love playing on Sunday, but that’s not my decision to make. So, whatever the coaches decide to do. I’m sure there will be some guys that get a little more rest, probably some guys not. I don’t know.”

DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on if 16-0 means anything) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Yes, it definitely means something, you don’t ever want to lose a game. But, I guess, 19-0 means a lot more than 16-0.”

DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on the Colts’ defense) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I think we’re building a certain attitude around here. Fourth down, obviously, we don’t like people going for it. We step up. We’re definitely putting a show on out there, defensively. Hopefully, we can keep that going and build some more momentum.”

DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on Denver WR-Brandon Marshall) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Defensively, we just had to make a play. Brandon did a great job. They were getting him the ball, and he’s a big time receiver. We found ways to shut him down when it counted. He’s definitely a load, though.”

DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on if all these team records will mean anything if they don’t make the Super Bowl) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I think they will mean something. For the history of the franchise, I think that definitely means something. Obviously, for this particular season, if we don’t get to the Super Bowl, or win the Super Bowl, it’s something that we’ll have to look at and be like ‘Alright, we didn’t finish it off.’ I don’t think we can take anything for granted. It is hard to get wins in this league. We’re rolling right now, but we definitely have to clean some things up.”

DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on the Divisional Playoff game being five weeks away) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Well, we practice everyday. That’s competitive. Defensively, we’re playing against the best offense, and the offense is playing against one of the better defenses in the league. I know we’ll get our work, regardless, but I’m not exactly sure what Coach will do.”

LB-CLINT SESSION (on the game) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We knew what we set out to do when we came out today. We wanted to have a good defensive game. We wanted to dominate every aspect of the game. We knew covering 15 (Denver WR-Brandon Marshall) was going to be a tough task. I heard he had an NFL record today. That’s a credit to that guy. He’s a very good player, but we won, so that’s the big thing.”

LB-CLINT SESSION (on the records and accomplishments achieved) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It fell just into the way we planned it.  From day one we always talked about taking care of every game that we have in front of us and that is what we did today.  We knew we needed this game in order to solidify home field advantage in the playoffs.  That is what we want.  We feel like we are best there at home in our stadium.  We got the win.”

LB-CLINT SESSION (on the 4th down defensive stops) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“They will find out after awhile if they keeping trying us.  We are never backing down.  We love that again.  We love that.  They can keep coming.”

LB-CLINT SESSION (on the possibility of going 16-0) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I would like to look back at this offseason and be 16-0.  I would like to do that.  We take it one game at a time so of course we are going to try and beat Jacksonville Thursday.  That is the first task at hand.  We just never go over our head.  That is what a lot of teams do and they end up not being successful.”

LB-CLINT SESSION (on Brandon Marshall’s record) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“That is a good tribute to that guy.  We knew he was going to be a tough task to cover coming into this game.  He got his, but they lost.”

LB-CLINT SESSION (on winning 22 games in a row) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“I am part of history right now.  So it feels real good.  This team here, all those guys in the locker room, they can look back and tell their grandkids and kids that we did something nobody in the NFL did.  It is definitely a great accomplishment.”

LB-GARY BRACKETT (on limiting the Broncos to 16 points) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We gave up some yards statistically, but I think as far as keeping them out of the end zone, that’s our number one goal. We were able to get that accomplished.”

LB-GARY BRACKETT (on the importance of today’s game) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We had a lot on the line that we were playing for. Obviously, all of the historical stuff but homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. It doesn’t guarantee you anything but it sure is nice.”

LB-GARY BRACKETT (on what’s important in the final three games) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“Defense, I think wins championships. That’s been proven year-in and year-out. I think we have to keep on being consistent on the defensive side of the ball, eliminate mistakes, no big plays, and keeping the ball out of the end zone. I think we did a pretty good job of that today.”

DB-KELVIN HAYDEN (on whether starters should continue to play or not) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It’s the coaches’ call. We have a position to play and they have a position to play. If they feel like guys need to sit out and rest then so be it. As for now, guys are looking at it as a short week for us, and we’ve got to get ready for Jacksonville. We want to go out there and perform and come out with a win.”

DB-KELVIN HAYDEN (on Thursday’s game versus Jacksonville) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“You look at it as a division game. We look at it as we won our division, but we don’t want to lose to anybody in our division. We still feel like we have a job to do.”

DB-KELVIN HAYDEN (on having depth) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We go by the motto, ‘the next man up.’ We feel like anybody that comes in, we don’t have to change anything. We don’t have to alter anything. (We) just go in there, make the calls that we usually call and be effective.”

DB-KELVIN HAYDEN (on covering Brandon Marshall) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“He’s one of those elite receivers. He’s 6’4. You’ve got to play him aggressive and play your game. You can’t get caught up into what he’s doing and things like that. You just have to be effective at what you’re doing and the chips will fall your way eventually. You know he’s going to make his plays, but you have to make your plays as well.”

DB-KELVIN HAYDEN (on keeping the Broncos out of the end zone) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“That’s our job is to keep them out of the end zone. It doesn’t matter where they are. We put ourselves in tough situations sometimes and the offense puts us in tough situations sometimes. We’re a team. Everything’s not going to be perfect. We just want to go out there and keep them out of the end zone. I think we did a pretty good job for being out on the field a lot.”

S-ANTOINE BETHEA (on what Head Coach Jim Caldwell said to them right after the game) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“It was a good moment. There were some records set today, some things the team should really be proud of. This is something that everybody should feel good about.”

S-ANTOINE BETHEA (on how the Colts started strong but then struggled) Sunday, December 13, 2009

“We were all clicking on all cylinders early in the game. Obviously, their defense probably made some changes. But ours was a team effort. Our defense stood up to all the challenges that were thrown at us. I’m just proud of the guys, the way we relied on all three phases today.”