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Indianapolis Colts

Postseason victory is next hurdle for Mora & Co.

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2001 schedule Head coach: Jim Mora (fourth season with the Colts, 15th overall, 119-96-0 career) Stadium: RCA Dome Colts all-time record: 346-361-7 2000 rankings: Offense, 3rd; Defense, 21st 2000 team statistics 2000 season results Colts alerts from CNNSI.com! City Page: Indianapolis, Ind.

Indianapolis opens its training camp at Rose-Hulman Institute in Terre Haute, Ind., on July 26.

By Rich Loup, CNNSI.com

Indianapolis must erase the memory of last season's heart-breaking 23-17 overtime loss to Miami in a wild-card playoff game. While that's easier said than done, the Colts took to the offensive -- literally. Indy drafted a WR with its No. 1 pick, and added four defensive backs among its other six choices.

The Colts can make the playoffs if ... None of the Big Three -- QB Peyton Manning, RB Edgerrin James, WR Marvin Harrison -- gets hurt and the defense is adequate, rather than horrible. However, getting deep into the postseason with that same formula is another matter and head coach Jim Mora is 0-6 in the playoffs after last year's shocking second-half collapse in Miami.

Pivotal games: Consecutive December games at Baltimore and Miami could sink the Colts into wild-card abyss or set them up for a chance at home-field advantage. Of course, playing at home in January didn't mean much two years ago when Indianapolis blew the No. 1 seed by losing to Tennessee in the AFC divisional round.

On the hot seat: Mora's regular-season record is outstanding, but his postseason record is abysmal. As he did in New Orleans, Mora has given Indianapolis credibility. But the Colts sputtered through the regular season in 2000 and another Indy postseason collapse could have folks calling for his head.

Up-and-coming: Linebacker Mike Peterson (108 tackles) developed into a solid run-support performer in 2000, but the Colts need some other defensive players to develop to improve their Super Bowl chances. Indianapolis drafted four D-backs, yet their top draft pick was wide receiver Reggie Wayne from Miami.