The Indianapolis Colts will look to get their first win of the season after opening the season with 10 straight losses. As a fan of the team, I’m more used to this being the point in the season where undefeated records and playoff preparations are being discussed. Now all you hear about is the 2012 draft and prospect Andrew Luck. For the 53 players on the team, the most important thing remaining is to find some way to win a single game in their final six games of the season.

No team wants to be remembered and go down in history for going 0-16. Jim Caldwell’s Indianapolis Colts have a very good chance to accomplish the embarrassing feat. If the team needed any extra incentive this week, Marvin Harrison(notes) is being inducted into the Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium. Harrison is a former teammate and friend of several of the veterans on the team. Hopefully this can elevate the game of Reggie Wayne(notes), Dwight Freeney(notes), Robert Mathis(notes) and others to lead the team to their first win.

Coach Jim Caldwell announced that Curtis Painter(notes) would still be the starter at quarterback coming off of the bye week. It was suspected that the team may look to make another change and try out backup Dan Orlovsky(notes) at quarterback. Painter has played very bad lately and was benched in favor of Orlovsky in the November 13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The decision to start Painter makes fans really wonder if the team is trying to lose and aim for Andrew Luck.

Carolina’s defense is one that even Indianapolis and Curtis Painter should be able to move the ball on. Matthew Stafford(notes) and the Detroit Lions scored 49 points and thrashed the Panther defense in their last game. Even Curtis Painter should be able to move the ball and score points in this game.

The biggest challenge will be slowing down Cam Newton(notes) and Steve Smith. The Indianapolis defense has continually given up big plays this season and the Panther offense has thrived on big plays. If Indianapolis can play strong defensively and limit the Panther offense, then they should be in great position to win the game.

The Indianapolis coaching staff has had two weeks to prepare for this game and lead the team to their first win. I think this is finally the week the Colts will win a game. If they can pull it out, it may come down to a late field goal by kicker Adam Vinatieri(notes).

Prediction: Colts 23, Panthers 21

Kyle Rapoza is a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and has been a lifelong fan of the Indianapolis Colts. He attended Super Bowl XLIV in Miami and follows the team closely. Follow him on Twitter @kyler11.

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The Indianapolis Colts would like to make Peyton Manning(notes) one very wealthy man but if the team can’t get a contract extension signed before March 2 when the collective bargaining agreement expires, the team may franchise the quarterback, according to the National Football Post.

If it comes to that, it will cost the team $25 million but it would be a short-term loss for hopefully a long-term gain.

“It’ll get done when it gets done,” Colts team president Bill Polian said, according to NFP. “We’re in a very, very unsettled situation as an industry, so I don’t have any timetable specifically.”

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Source: National Football Post