CLEVELAND (AP) -- Tim Couch knew his rookie NFL season was going to be a rollercoaster ride. Peyton Manning said so.

Couch understood there would be times he'd be totally lost on the field because Manning was lost, too.

And when the losses seemed to blend into one long game for the expansion Browns this season, Couch remembered to think about the future.

That's what Manning did.

"It was pretty much exactly what he said," Couch said. "It was going to be tough early on, but as the season goes on, he said if you just keep fighting through it, then things are going to get a little easier.

"He was exactly right."

Couch will get a chance to talk with his friend, Manning, again Sunday when the Browns (2-13) play host to the Indianapolis Colts (12-2) in Cleveland's season finale.

Unfortunately, a sprained foot will keep Couch on the sideline, preventing the NFL's two premier young quarterbacks -- No. 1 overall draft picks the past two years -- a chance to match TD passes.

"Yeah, I was really looking forward to it," Couch said.

The Colts have won 10 straight and are enjoying an historic turnaround. With a win Sunday, they'll set a league mark by winning 10 more games than they did in 1998. They're currently tied with the 1929 New York Giants and '63 Oakland Raiders, who both had nine-game swings.

But unlike those teams, the Colts have already qualified for the playoffs, clinching the AFC East last week. They're guaranteed one playoff home game and could still get home-field advantage throughout as long as they win their final two games and Jacksonville (13-1) loses once.

The Browns, meanwhile, have had a tumultuous final week of their first year back in the league since 1995.

Offensive tackle Orlando Brown was suspended indefinitely for pushing referee Jeff Triplette to the ground last Sunday after the official's penalty flag struck Brown in the right eye.

Brown, who has been told by doctors he could have permanent damage in his eye, could face further penalties pending a hearing with commissioner Paul Tagliabue in February.

So how did the Colts go from a 3-13 joke to Super Bowl contender?

"We're a better team," said Manning, voted a Pro Bowl starter. "We have better players. Our defense is signifcantly better.

"Last year, we had guys running the wrong routes and missing assignments. You can't do that and win. Last year has really made me appreciate this season and how much you enjoy winning."

Rough first pro seasons isn't the only thing bonding Manning and Couch.

Both were seemingly born to be NFL QBs. They look alike, Manning is 6-foot-5, Couch 6-4. Each has an engaging personality, their southern accents adding to a boyish charm. And they're exceedingly mature, polite and friendly, products of strong family upbringings.

They also share a deep love for football. It's not unusual for both to spend their off days watching game film.

"He has a good feel for the game," Manning said of Couch. "He's one of those guys like myself who has been playing quarterback all his life, a natural growing up. He enjoys football. I can tell by talking to him. I have a lot of those same things in me."

Couch has been intentionally stepping in Manning's footsteps since he was a Kentucky high school star. He nearly followed Manning to Tennesse, but committed to Kentucky just before he was scheduled to spend a weekend with Manning on an official recruiting visit in Knoxville.

Still, the two stayed in touch during summers and finally met on the field in Lexington on Nov. 22, 1997.

Manning threw for five touchdowns and Couch had two in the most prolific offensive game in 67 years of Southeastern Conference football -- 1,329 total yards.

When Couch decided to skip his senior season at Kentucky, he called Manning for advice. He wanted to pick Manning's brain to see what he was getting himself into.

Couch, who will be replaced this week by Ty Detmer, has credited part of his success to those chats with Manning.

"Right," Manning said laughing. "A 23-year-old adviser."

"Tim doesn't need my advice, because in talking to Tim, I can tell he understands how this thing works. He knew this year would be tough. He already told me he plans to be there in the offseason. That's all you need to hear."

As far as Couch is concerned, his offseason has already begun. And while standing on the sideline Sunday, he'll watch Manning and think about how different his second year in the league can be.

"I'll be taking notes," Couch said.

INDIANAPOLIS Season schedule and results

CLEVELAND Season schedule and results

September 12 Buffalo W 31-14 September 19 @New England L 28-31 September 26 @San Diego W 27-19 October 10 Miami L 31-34 October 17 @NY Jets W 16-13 October 24 Cincinnati W 31-10 October 31 Dallas W 34-24 November 7 Kansas City W 25-17 November 14 @NY Giants W 27-19 November 21 @Philadelphia W 44-17 November 28 NY Jets W 13-6 December 5 @Miami W 37-34 December 12 New England W 20-15 December 19 Washington W 24-21 December 26 @Cleveland 1:00pm ET January 2 @Buffalo 1:00pm ET

September 12 Pittsburgh L 0-43 September 19 @Tennessee L 9-26 September 26 @Baltimore L 10-17 October 3 New England L 7-19 October 10 Cincinnati L 17-18 October 17 @Jacksonville L 7-24 October 24 @St. Louis L 3-34 October 31 @New Orleans W 21-16 November 7 Baltimore L 9-41 November 14 @Pittsburgh W 16-15 November 21 Carolina L 17-31 November 28 Tennessee L 21-33 December 5 @San Diego L 10-23 December 12 @Cincinnati L 28-44 December 19 Jacksonville L 14-24 December 26 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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