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Colts holding out hope for playoff bye

Dec 31, 2006 - 2:22 PM Miami (6-9) at Indianapolis (11-4) Sunday 4:15 pm EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- After winning their first nine games, the Indianapolis Colts had designs of gaining home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs for a second straight season.

But heading into Sunday's season finale against the Miami Dolphins, the Colts would be fortunate to secure a playoff bye.

In order to clinch a bye, the Colts need a win in this contest and a loss by Baltimore at home to Buffalo. If Indianapolis fails to secure a bye, it would host a wild-card game next weekend.

Just 2-4 since becoming the first team in NFL history to start at least 9-0 in consecutive seasons, the Colts' problems could be attributed to a run defense which ranks last in the league, allowing 174.5 yards per game.

Last Sunday, the Colts surrendered 191 yards on the ground in a 27-24 loss at Houston.

Peyton Manning completed 21-of-27 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns against the Texans. The seven-time Pro Bowler leads the NFL with 29 touchdowns and a 100.9 rating. He also eclipsed 4,000 passing yards for the seventh straight season - an NFL record.

In Nick Saban's second season as coach, the Dolphins already have clinched last place in the AFC East. It marks the first time in Saban's 13 seasons as either an NFL or college coach that he will finish with a losing record.

Saban pulled starting quarterback Joey Harrington in favor of Cleo Lemon in the third quarter in a 13-10 loss to the New York Jets on Christmas.

Lemon, who will likely make his first start of the season in this contest, completed 11-of-16 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown against the Jets.