Published: November 18, 2009 11:01 pm         

With wild win over Patriots behind them, Colts prepare for tough test against Ravens

INDIANAPOLIS — Now that New England Week has passed and the Indianapolis Colts remain as one of the National Football League’s two remaining undefeated teams, it’s time to move on and concentrate on Sunday’s road game with the Baltimore Ravens.

Indianapolis will take a 9-0 record into this week’s meeting with the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Colts coach Jim Caldwell doesn’t think that he’ll have a problem getting his team, especially the younger players, focused directly on facing a pretty good Baltimore squad.

Never mind that Indianapolis is coming off a big home-field win over the Patriots. And never mind the fact that the Colts boast an unbeaten record. The Ravens are 5-4 after Monday night’s 16-0 win over AFC North rival Cleveland and have won two of their last three games, including a 30-7 decision over previously undefeated Denver.

“You hit it right on the head when you said younger guys, because [for] the older guys, [it’s] maybe the third time they’ve been 9-0. It’s not anything really new to them. We’ll have to do a job to get that message across to the younger ones, but our young guys are catching on pretty quickly,” Caldwell explained earlier this week.

“At some point in time I’m going to stop referring to them as young guys because a lot of them have gotten pretty seasoned here, particularly with some of the games that we’ve had that have been so close. I think they’ve learned their lesson, and certainly understand what’s required of them to be successful in this league. I think those things are taking care of themselves as the season goes along.”

One of those older players, quarterback Peyton Manning, doesn’t think that it will be a problem getting everybody attention directly squarely on the Ravens.

“We have enough veterans around here that can show the way. I think it helps that you’re playing the Baltimore Ravens, a team that we are very familiar with and very familiar with how good of a team they are. [I] don’t look at their record every time we play them. It’s just a dogfight,” Manning pointed out Wednesday.

“Their defense is what we [Colts’ offense] focus on. They have a lot of the same guys, a tremendous scheme. From that standpoint, it’s really not hard [focusing on Indianapolis’ next opponent] because you better have a good week of practice and a great week of preparation, mentally and physically. Going to Baltimore is one of the toughest places to play.”

That’s putting it mildly. Given the shared history of the two franchises, and especially the Colts’ tradition among Baltimore sports fans, Indianapolis’ players can expect a lot of noise (and strong language) to be directed their way.

“It’s a great football town, and they’ve always had great teams to pull for, so it’s loud. It’s one of the louder places to play. Once you get into the stadium, it’s trying to figure out how to block No. 52 [middle linebacker Ray Lewis] and you always figure out where No. 20 [free safety Ed Reed] is. That’s what you get into. I can’t speak for them. I know it’s a tough place to play,” Manning said, referring to the Ravens’ fans.

• Injury list — The Colts had a lengthy list of players not taking part in Wednesday’s practice. It included free safeties Antoine Bethea (foot) and Aaron Francisco (ankle); wide receivers Pierre Garcon (ankle), Hank Baskett (illness) and Anthony Gonzalez (knee); tight end Gijon Robinson (concussion); quarterback Jim Sorgi (right shoulder); long snapper Justin Snow (elbow); placekicker Adam Vinatieri (right knee); offensive tackle Dan Federkeil (concussion); cornerback Kelvin Hayden (knee); defensive tackle Eric Foster (back); and defensive end Dwight Freeney (rest).

Running backs Joseph Addai (finger) and Chad Simpson (head) were able to participate in the workout. Both are expected to play Sunday against Baltimore.

Caldwell is hopeful that Bethea, among others on the injury list, will be able to start the Ravens game.

“We anticipate during the course of the week he’ll be better,” the Colts coach said Wednesday, adding that he’s still not sure when Hayden or Gonzalez will return to the practice field.

“There is nothing new. They are indeed getting better. When they will be back I’m not real sure.”

Vinatieri said Wednesday that his rehab from last month’s knee surgery has been going well but that he couldn’t say for sure when he will be able to practice with the team.