I really don't understand the flippant term "player's coach", but Tony Dungy is notably one of the best in the NFL. The popular designation has been thrown around loosely by players and the media through the years, but members of the Indianapolis Colts seem to be fine with their veteran coach who makes sure his team is put in the right situation year after year.

Ever since Dungy took over the helm on January 22, 2002, the Colts have been one of the best teams in the league, averaging 12 wins a year and making six straight postseason appearances with five consecutive AFC South titles. Dungy's Colts have struggled some this season, even though they are in position for another playoff trip with an 8-4 mark and a light schedule ahead.

The Colts, who barely got by lowly Cleveland over the weekend, play three of the four remaining regular-season games at home. They will play Cincinnati and winless Detroit at Lucas Oil Stadium before heading to Jacksonville, then wrap up the regular season as the host versus division-leading Tennessee.

Dungy, who is 81-27 with Indy, will make history by taking 10 straight teams to the playoffs, passing the legendary Tom Landry (1975-83) for the most consecutive postseason appearances by a head coach since the 1970 NFL merger. His coaching excellence helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the postseason three straight years before the Colts bought in to Dungy's philosophy for a six-year playoff run since 2002.

The Colts are currently the fifth seed in the AFC thanks to five straight wins by no more than six points. Owners of the NFL's best regular-season record (110-46) since the start of the 1999 season, Indianapolis should finish with an 11-5 mark and possibly the AFC's top Wild Card spot.

With Sunday's 10-6 win at Cleveland, Dungy also ensured his 12th straight season as a head coach with a record of .500 or better. That's pretty special for the likeable head coach, as well as all the players he has graced his presence with.

NOTES: Eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning completed 15 of his 21 passes for 125 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions against the Browns on Sunday...Safety Antoine Bethea recorded the game-clinching interception with less than a minute to go in the win...Defensive end Robert Mathis returned a fumble by Browns quarterback Derek Anderson 37 yards for the game's only touchdown with 9:45 remaining. Mathis also had two sacks.

INJURIES: Leading tackler and starting middle linebacker Gary Brackett suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter against Cleveland and did not return. The defensive captain left the field on a cart and will likely miss Sunday's game versus Cincinnati. According to Dungy, weakside linebacker Freddy Keiaho likely will start in the middle, with veteran Tyjuan Hagler moving to the outside. Defensive tackle Keyunta Dawson exited Sunday's game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury and could miss the Bengals game as well. Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders missed his third straight game with a knee injury, but the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year should be ready to go Sunday. Melvin Bullitt started for the eighth time this season in Sanders' place. Center Jeff Saturday was out with a calf injury against the Browns, with rookie Jamey Richard handling snaps.

WEEK 14: The Colts figure to have an easy matchup with Cincinnati this week at Lucas Oil Stadium, but must not look past the woeful Bengals. Indy is on the cusp of the playoffs, and a week-to-week approach for the rest of the season is the perfect way to wrap up a postseason berth. Indianapolis has won five in a row against the Bengals, including a 34-16 victory in the last meeting on December 18, 2006 at the RCA Dome.

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