Different scenarios for 12-0 Colts, Saints

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NEW YORK (AP) -- The Indianapolis Colts can clinch home-field advantage for the NFL playoffs and set the league record for consecutive regular-season victories if they beat the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

There's also a chance, if they reach 13-0 this season and 22-0 over the last two, the Colts could rest first-choice players as they prepare for the playoffs, perhaps tossing aside a shot at a perfect season.

The other unbeaten team, the New Orleans Saints, won't have such a luxury even if they reach 13 wins on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints are being pressed by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC, although they gained some breathing room last week when the Vikings lost and fell to 10-2.

One of the most intriguing developments for December, along with the various playoff pushes, will be how the Colts and Saints handle the chance for a spotless regular season.

"It (16-0) is not that important," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "You've seen a lot of great records in the regular season, but the ultimate goal is to win it all. So the regular season really doesn't matter except to get in. Going undefeated in the regular season isn't really that big a priority."

Counters Saints quarterback Drew Brees:

"We're here, aren't we? I mean, who knows if we will ever get this close again. All I'll say is this: You've got an opportunity to make history."

Indy's next three games are against teams in the AFC playoff chase. But once home-field advantage is secured, the pursuit of perfection will take a back seat to seeking a second NFL championship in four seasons.

The Broncos have righted things after a four-game slide and have won two in a row to take control of the wild-card race. They also are one game behind the San Diego Chargers in the AFC West division.

New Orleans travels to undermanned Atlanta, which could be missing its most critical offensive players: Running back Michael Turner (ankle) and quarterback Matt Ryan (toe).

Most weeks, The Vikings hosting the Cincinnati Bengals would be the marquee matchup and there might even be whispers about a Super Bowl preview. Minnesota gets a playoff berth if it wins, and clinches the NFC North if it wins and Green Bay loses. Cincinnati, the turnaround story of the season, earns the AFC North crown with a victory.

"At this point in the season, you want to peak," Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said. "You want to play your best football in late December and January. We have two big weeks ahead of us with Minnesota and San Diego."

Although they can't secure the AFC West division this weekend, the Chargers can surge into the playoffs against the Dallas Cowboys with their eighth successive victory and a combination of losses by other teams. Though they lead Denver by only one game, the Chargers have their sights as much on a first-round bye as on holding off the Broncos.

The Cowboys are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC East, with the New York Giants one game back after they handled Dallas last weekend. And the Cowboys can't look to the recent past for inspiration: Quarterback Tony Romo has a 5-9 record in December.

Also on Sunday, it's Philadelphia at the New York Giants, Carolina at New England, Miami at Jacksonville, Green Bay at Chicago, Detroit at Baltimore, the New York Jets at Tampa Bay, St. Louis at Tennessee, Seattle at Houston, Washington at Oakland and Buffalo at Kansas City.

On Monday, Arizona is at San Francisco with a chance to clinch the NFC West.

Week 14 action began late Thursday with Pittsburgh at Cleveland.