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QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the Tennessee Titans)
"They're a good team, and they're playing very well right now, maybe playing as hot as any team in the league. It's a division opponent, it's a team we're familiar with and they are familiar with us. It's really hard to trick them. It comes down to execution. We're glad to have them here at home. I know our crowd will be into it. It will be a tough game."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on how a team gets hot after starting the season 0-6)
"Well, certainly what QB-Vince Young has been able to do speaks volumes. He's really played well. Other players have raised their level of play since he's been in there. The thing I always found amazing is how they were ever 0-6. To me, they are playing now like what you're used to seeing and really what I've always thought they would be. They are sound in what they do, they have good players, they are well coached and they are tough to move the ball against. What you're really seeing now is what you're used to seeing."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what Tennessee has done different defensively since they last met)
"They have a lot of the same players. I know that particular game (59-0 loss at New England) was an off day, playing against a potent New England offense. Really, our first game was a lot closer than the score showed. They had to settle for a couple field goals. We had a couple of big plays before the half. We had some short fields. We need to do a good job of trying to make some long drives and protect the ball and keep our defense out of tough situations, and hopefully score touchdowns in the red zone as opposed to having to kick field goals. That always helps."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the offense not getting off to fast starts recently)
"It's something we would like to do a better job of, scoring early. You always want to try and get the lead and keep the lead. It's something we need to improve on. This week would be a great week to do it."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the offense having more turnovers in recent games)
"Obviously, I have to do a better job of protecting the ball. We've protected the ball, from a carrying-the-ball standpoint, but I've had some poor throws or poor decisions. I feel I can correct that. I need to do a better job of that. Certainly, the points of emphasis are there, trying to protect the ball, trying to keep our defense out of tough situations, trying to have few penalties. All of those are part of our goals each week, and something we continue to stress. Obviously, we need to do a better job of executing and trying to reach those goals each week."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on QB-Vince Young)
"It is impressive (what Young has been able to do). It's hard to sit and sit and sit, and all of a sudden, come in and play. It's certainly a lot different when you're out there facing the bullets. What he's done has been very impressive. Our defense, having played against him in the past, knows all the different challenges that he provides, the ability to use his legs, his athletic ability, as well as his arm. It's a different kind of challenge for them. It's really playing almost a different offense for our defense than the first time around, and they are scoring some points. So, we know we're going to have to do our job on offense."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on Tennessee being undefeated since Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher wore a Peyton Manning jersey at an event)
"I haven't really put it together that way. I like to think that the reason for their turnaround is better football play. Like I said, they made some personnel changes, but defensively, they got some guys back. They had three of their secondary guys out the first time we played them. Now, the majority of their secondary will be healthy again, somewhat of a different defensive team that we will be facing. I haven't really put it together, as far as that's concerned. The team is certainly playing well right now."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if Tennessee's defense does anything tricky or out of the ordinary)
"Every week you have to be prepared for different things. Especially here late in the season, you can see different things. Like I've always said, you prepare for what you see on film, and then always be prepared for the unexpected."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if having momentum coming into a football game means anything)
"I think certainly it helps. I think week-in, week-out, the game usually comes down to who executes better. That's it plain and simple. Sometimes, you're going to have crazy plays, breaks go one team's way, breaks go the other team's way. But, obviously, you have two teams that are playing well right now and two teams that are very familiar with each other, being division opponents. I think it will be a really good ballgame. We know what kind of challenge we are in for. Hopefully, we can play our best game of the year. That's what we're trying to do every week, but this would be a great week to do it."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he's thinking about playoff positioning)
"I don't. (Colts Head Coach) Coach (Jim) Caldwell has not stressed that to us. His points of emphasis this week have been the same as every week, especially when we're playing a division game. It kind of counts double, as we always say. That's been his approach every single team we've played, and that's certainly the approach now. I think that has served us well, truly taking it one game at a time and not thinking about anything else, besides trying to beat the Titans. I don't see any reason to abandon that theory now. Hopefully, our players can keep that approach and somehow find a way to get a win Sunday."
