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ACCORDING TO THE INDYSTAR.COM

A decade of unforgettable football will come to a crossroads this evening at Lucas Oil Stadium, where the top-seeded Indianapolis Colts (14-2) meet the sixth-seeded Baltimore Ravens (10-7) in an AFC divisional playoff game.

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Colts defensive back Tim Jennings (23) celebrates along with his teammates after a big turnover against the Ravens in November. – SAM RICHE / The Star

It will take a step toward the glorious climax for which the Colts and their fans so yearn, or it will come to an end. As the signs at both ends of the Colts locker room read: “No Excuses. No Explanations.”

It’s put up, or shut down.

“Not much needs to be said, other than this is the playoffs,” Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney volunteered. “You either win or go home.”

The Colts have made eight other playoff appearances this decade. They won Super Bowl XLI after the 2006 season. On five other occasions, they were one and done.

Those are the facts of playoff football, but there is another dynamic at work here. The last time the Colts played at Lucas Oil Stadium, their fans booed them maniacally. They wanted 16-0. The 14-0 Colts’ priorities were elsewhere: injury avoidance and rest for the playoffs. Key starters were pulled with the Colts leading the New York Jets 15-10 during the third quarter. The home team lost 29-15.

The blowback was unprecedented in the Colts’ 26 years in Indianapolis. Fans felt betrayed, and shouted it. Long-time Blue Crew president Randy Collins, a man who daily mingles with Colts fans as an ownership partner in Blue Crew Sports Grill in Fishers, penetrated the furor.

“I think the pressure is on them to win that first playoff game,” Collins said. “That’s for sure.