QUICK SNAPS

At full gallop

In years past, the Indianapolis Colts have rested their starters down the stretch once they achieved all they could in terms of playoff seedings. Not so this season. Coach Tony Dungy said he plans to keep his foot on the accelerator, even though his team has the No. 2 seeding and first-round bye in the bag.

That suits quarterback Peyton Manning just fine.

“It’s our job as professional football players to continue to work hard and to get better and to go out and try to play our best and win this game on Sunday,” Manning told reporters. “It’s our job. Like somebody said around here once of the games, ‘You ought to play for free. You get paid to practice.’ ”

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No cleat repeat

Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said he’s determined to change his reputation for the good. It took a big hit last season when he was caught stomping on the unprotected head of Dallas center Andre Gurode, a vicious infraction that led to a six-week suspension for Haynesworth.

Now, both Haynesworth and Gurode are headed to the Pro Bowl.

“The season I wanted to have this year was one to rewrite the history books on me,” Haynesworth told the Nashville Tennessean, “so that people would remember me as a good football player, not for what happened last year, having the longest suspension.”

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Play of a lifetime

When Miami’s Greg Camarillo went 64 yards for a touchdown in overtime against Baltimore last Sunday, the second-year receiver didn’t simply rescue the Dolphins from a humiliating piece of NFL history -- ensuring they won’t go winless this season -- he made a little personal history too.

It was Camarillo’s first touchdown since high school. He hadn’t scored in the pros, and he didn’t score in his career at Stanford.

It’s inaccurate to say he streaked through the Ravens’ defense. More like chugged. That’s why he was turning his head from side to side, looking over both shoulders.

“I never was known for my speed,” he told the San Jose Mercury News.

Now, at least, he’ll be known for something other than a mistake. His most significant contribution this season -- if you can call it that -- was when he was flagged for holding, nullifying an 86-yard punt return by rookie Ted Ginn Jr.

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Losing their bearings

From 1994 through 2004, Green Bay thoroughly dominated the Chicago Bears, winning 19 of their 22 meetings.

In the last three years, however, the Bears have turned the tables. They have gone 4-1 against the Packers, building a plus-six advantage in turnover differential over that span.

The Bears play host to Green Bay today, with the Packers looking to avenge one of their two losses this season. Stats LLC notes the Packers have won 12 of their last 13 road games against Chicago, including their 2002 visit to Champaign, Ill.

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Coach Grinch

Anyone who thinks the New England Patriots might be easing up because they’re playing Miami today, or because they won their first 14 games, doesn’t know Coach Bill Belichick.

The Patriots, coming off a surprisingly tough victory over the New York Jets, had one of their more vigorous weeks of practice.

“Everybody came in [Wednesday] thinking and trying to predict what kind of day we were going to have and in the team meeting, we got about 45 minutes of humble pie,” cornerback Asante Samuel told reporters. “Nobody expected it. I mean, he was just giving it to us, showing us what we need to do better, and everybody pops up on the tape. Nobody’s perfect. Everybody’s making bad plays or making mistakes, and he just wanted us to see that and realize that we need to improve in certain situations if we want to be a good team.”

-- Sam Farmer