INDIANAPOLIS – Defensive backs are wired a little differently.

Call it brash, call it cocky but some sort of amnesia is a must for those on an island trying to survive in the pass happy league of the NFL.

When the 2014 schedules came out in April, some looked at the Colts opening two games and thought the task was daunting.

One position group inside the Colts locker room couldn't wait for September to get here.

"I'm excited," Darius Butler says. "When you play in this league, you want to play against the best.

"Going up against Peyton (Manning) in prime time games, that's what you want as a player. I know that what I want to go up against the best, kind of see where you're at real quick, right off the bat and it will be a good measuring stick."

The Colts defensive backs know the task.

-Denver set an NFL record with 606 points scored last season.

-A handful of Broncos scored at least 10 touchdowns in 2013, also an NFL record.

-Peyton Manning sits atop the single season touchdown list with 55 tosses in 2013.

New Colts safety Mike Adams had a close-up view at all of those records last season.

Adams was a starting safety for the Broncos each of the last two seasons and has offered his help in evaluating Denver's potent personnel.

Going up against Manning every day in practice might be beneficial to Adams on Sunday night, but the veteran knows that the future Hall of Fame quarterback will have something his sleeve.

"He's the type of guy…he does a lot of changing up," Adams says of Manning. "He picks his spots so I've got to be careful with him. I'm definitely excited about the opportunity to go against him.

"I can't wait. It's going to be fun playing with guys you just went to war with playing in the Super Bowl."

One player Adams won't see on Sunday night is Pro Bowl receiver Wes Welker.

With the Welker suspension coming late on Tuesday, the Broncos will be without a security blanket that has torched opposing defenses from the slot position.

Still in the fold though is Demaryius Thomas and his 35 receptions of at least 20 yards lead the NFL over the last two seasons.

The big play potential of the Broncos offense has added a serious threat in Emmanuel Sanders this offseason.

Sanders had five catches for 126 yards in the preseason.

Add it all up and the challenge is formidable awaiting defensive backs coach Mike Gillhamer on Sunday night.

And he wouldn't have it any other way.

"It's great. I love it," Gillhamer says.

"Let's get it going. Let's see what we are made of."