The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - All the Colts wanted for Christmas was a second shot at Denver - and another chance to win in the playoffs.

Indianapolis' 31-17 loss to Denver (10-6) has lingered in the team's thoughts for two weeks. They Colts have been hounded with questions, struggled for answers and eagerly awaited a chance to put their worst game 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.

In the first matchup, the Colts (12-4) did little right. Denver expects to face a different team today.

"You know they'll make adjustments," said Broncos RB Clinton Portis, who missed the first game but will play today. "You can't expect them to do the same things."

The Broncos have reached the playoffs just once since John Elway retired after winning the Super Bowl in 1998. They lost that game three years ago at Baltimore, 21-3.

The Colts have lost five straight playoff games and haven't won a postseason home game since 1970 - the year they won the Super Bowl - and Manning is still being dogged by criticism about his 0-3 playoff record.

Denver Broncos (10-6) at Indianapolis Colts (12-4)

Time/TV: 4:30 p.m./Ch. 12, 7.

The line: Colts by 3.

Record vs. common opponents: Broncos 1-1, Colts 1-1.

What makes it wild: Two weeks ago, the Broncos clinched a playoff berth by smashing Indianapolis 31-17. Denver is in the playoffs after a two-year absence, seeking to win in the postseason without John Elway in the lineup for the first time since 1978. Indianapolis has lost five playoff games in a row.

What Broncos must do to win: Control the clock. When Denver won two weeks ago, it held the ball for a team-record 44 minutes, 48 seconds and limited the Colts' explosive offense to just 35 plays. The Broncos defense held Peyton Manning to a season-low 146 yards.

What Colts must do to win: Tackle. Indianapolis allowed a season-high 227 rushing yards to Denver two weeks ago - even as the Broncos played without injured Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis. The Colts must handle the balance of Denver's passing game, which includes a quarterback (Jake Plummer) capable of making plays out of the pocket.

Broncos season ends if: The pass defense doesn't handle Manning. Denver's defense ranks second in the NFL on third downs, allowing foes to convert just 29.5 percent.

Colts season ends if: RB Edgerrin James doesn't have a huge day. When James (171 rushing yards at Houston last week) rushed for 100 yards this season, the Colts were 6-0.

Rising stock: Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt has been perfect, setting an NFL record by making 41 consecutive field goals (dating to last season).

Falling stock: Broncos receiver Ed McCaffrey was knocked out of the regular-season finale at Green Bay with a concussion, the latest blow to his least productive season (19 catches, 195 yards) in Denver. Last meeting: The Broncos rebounded from a shaky start - Plummer's first pass was intercepted and returned for a TD - and dominated in racking up 465 yards.

Stats the difference: The Broncos have the NFL's only trio of D-linemen with at least 8 1/2 sacks - Trevor Pryce, Reggie Hayward and Bertrand Berry.

Who will win: Denver's defense will be hard-pressed to match its performance of two weeks ago. But the Broncos bring another key weapon to the party in Portis, who has nursed knee and ankle injuries for nearly three weeks. The Colts have lost three times this season at the RCA Dome, so they are indeed beatable at home. Broncos 27-24.

Packers vs. Seahawks

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Neither Mike Holmgren nor the Green Bay Packers have had much success in the playoffs since they parted ways five years ago.

Both expect to change that today when the Seattle Seahawks (10-6) visit Lambeau Field for an NFC wild-card playoff game.

Holmgren, who led Green Bay (10-6) to two Super Bowls in the 1990s, went back to the playoffs his first year in Seattle, but the Seahawks lost in the first round and returned to the postseason only this year.

Holmgren has coached 15 playoff games as a head coach, including 14 in Green Bay, where he won the title after the 1996 season.

He went 5-0 in the playoffs at Lambeau Field, where Mike Sherman is 1-1.

Exactly one year ago, Sherman became the first Packers coach ever to lose a home playoff game when Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons upset Green Bay 27-7.

"I think guys now know that we can't count on just the cold and crowd to win a football game," Packers linebacker Na'il Diggs said.

Seattle Seahawks (10-6) at Green Bay Packers (10-6)

Time/TV: 1 p.m./Ch. 19, 45.

The line: Packers by 7.

Record vs. common opponents: Seahawks 7-2, Packers 5-4.

What makes it wild: Mike Holmgren, who coached the Packers to two Super Bowls and a championship after the 1996 season, returns for the second time this season. Holmgren helped turn Brett Favre into a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback.

What Seahawks need to do to win: The Seahawks won only two of eight road games, primarily because of turnovers. They need to limit mistakes, control the tempo with their ground game and not allow Green Bay RB Ahman Green to dominate.

What Packers need to do to win: Green carried this team through stretches when Favre's broken thumb hampered the passing attack, and the Packers must put the ball in his hands. He rushed for a club-record 1,883 yards and scored 20 TDs.

Seahawks season ends if: They were 8-1 in games when they won or tied the turnover battle, 2-5 when they failed.

Packers season ends if: They fail to protect a fourth-quarter lead. The Packers let home games against Philadelphia and Kansas City get away.

Rising stock: Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck, a former Packer, passed for a club-record 3,841 yards. He tied for third in passer rating in the NFC and tied for second in touchdown passes (26). But 10 of his 15 interceptions came in road games.

Falling stock: Green Bay WR Donald Driver enjoyed a breakout season in 2002. He tailed off badly after an early-season neck injury, even though he still led the club in catches (52).

Last meeting: The Packers defeated the Seahawks 35-13 Oct. 5 at Lambeau Field.

Stats the difference: No NFL team has gone longer without winning a playoff game than the Seahawks. Their last postseason victory came Dec. 22, 1984.

Who will win: The Packers won four in a row to close the season, but the last two were almost gimmes, with sickly Oakland putting up little fight and Denver, with nothing to play for, resting numerous starters. Their superior running game coupled with Seattle's travel woes augurs well for their advancement. Packers 26-17.

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