Colts are hoping to rebound after perfect season marred

The atmosphere around the Colts was different following their first loss.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indianapolis Colts spent weeks answering questions about a perfect season. On Monday, they were dealing with a new one: Can they rebound?
"I guess people won't have as much to say if we don't play our starters the whole way or ask how can you denigrate the game that way," coach Tony Dungy said. "But we'll play, and I'm sure we'll play hard. We want to be sharp."
The atmosphere around the Colts' complex was different following their 26-17 loss to San Diego, which ruined Indy's quest to join the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the NFL's only unbeaten team.
For starters, there were players in the building. Dungy normally gives players Mondays and Tuesdays off when they win in November and December, so Monday's showing marked their first late-season appearance since Dec. 21, 2003.
Injury update
Then there was the injury update. Dungy hoped to keep the Colts rested and healthy heading into the playoffs, but the game against San Diego created more problems. Starting right tackle Ryan Diem has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, which will keep him out of action indefinitely. The Colts are hoping he will return for the playoffs, but Dungy said he was still awaiting word on the severity of the injury.
More surprising was Dungy's announcement that six-time Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison injured his hand in the first quarter Sunday. Dungy did not have a diagnosis, saying doctors were still evaluating the injury, although Harrison continued to play Sunday.
"It's a bone in his hand, but it's something I understand he'll be able to play with," Dungy said. "We've got to make a decision about whether to play him or rest him."
And any thought the Colts were relieved after their historic quest ended seemed more fiction than fact.
Receiver Brandon Stokley said he was disappointed more with the way the Colts lost than the loss itself, while left tackle Tarik Glenn appeared irritated with the offensive line's poor protection for two-time MVP Peyton Manning. Then there was cornerback Nick Harper, who made it clear he would have preferred that the old question was still the day's hot topic.
"I'm definitely not relieved," he said. "I'd rather keep winning. But life goes on. We got the 'L,' but you can't dwell on the past. That game is over."
Corrections are needed
So what can the Colts do to avoid losing a second straight game, something they haven't done since October 2004? Make corrections, of course.
But that could be difficult this week given Dungy's strategy.
Dungy acknowledged Monday he will treat the Colts' final two games almost as preseason games. He wants backups such as quarterback Jim Sorgi and running back Dominic Rhodes to get more action in case of injuries force the Colts to rely on them in the playoffs, and he wants starters such as Manning and Edgerrin James to get a little extra rest before the playoffs start.
They're not the only players likely to sit out at least part of Saturday's game at Seattle, a game that could be a Super Bowl preview. Injuries could sideline former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Corey Simon (foot) and defensive end Robert Mathis (foot) for a second straight game.
If Simon and Mathis practice this week, Dungy said they could play. But he expects both to sit.
One thing that must improve is pass protection.
Manning sacked
Manning was sacked only 12 times before Sunday, but the Chargers took him down four times, forced him into a critical intentional grounding penalty late in the game and constantly harassed Manning.
Plus, Dungy and the Colts want to dispel any notion one loss could turn into a late-season swoon and then scuttle their playoff hopes.
Instead, Indianapolis wants to regain the confidence -- and image -- it had before Sunday's loss to San Diego.
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