Now, as the starting middle linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts , he has an opportunity to keep the Lions on their path to becoming the first team to finish 0-16.

The teams meet Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"Of course, personally, it is a meaningful game (for me). But it's not going to take away from our team effort," said Davis, who was released by the Lions at theof training camp after spending his rookie season on their practice squad.

"Those guys released me, and you always want to show (them), `You shouldn't have released me.' But that's not my attitude. I just want to help this team get ready and on the road to a Super Bowl."

The Colts (9-4) have won six consecutive games and lead the wild card race in the AFC.

Davis, who had seen only limited play on special teams, made his first NFL start last weekend because Gary Brackett broke his fibula, and the Colts defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 35-3.

With it unclear whether Brackett will make it back this season, Davis wants to take advantage of the opportunity to show the Lions and Arizona Cardinals were wrong to cut him without letting him play a down.

"Every snap you get to play, it boosts your confidence," said Davis, a third-round draft pick of the Cardinals in 2007. "(Last weekend), that was my first defensive snap in the NFL, but you'd never know it because I was prepared mentally, physically and emotionally to get my chance. But when you have that and convert it over to playing on the field, it's cake."

Davis, who is 5-foot-9, 239 pounds, assisted on three tackles against the Bengals.

"He did his job well, and that's all you can ask," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "And, that's what our guys expect. We expected him to do well, and he didn't let us down."

Lions coach Rod Marinelli was an assistant under Dungy when they were in Tampa Bay, so it's no surprise that Detroit and Indianapolis play nearly identical Cover 2 defenses. And Davis' time in Detroit eased his transition into the Colts' lineup.

"The only difference in Detroit's Cover 2 and this Cover 2 is the different terminology," Davis said. "The only thing they do differently (in Detroit) is they do a lot of blitzing. But it's almost totally the same thing. We just call it this, and they call it that."

Marinelli isn't surprised Davis has become a starter.

"No, I'm not," Marinelli said. "His instincts and awareness are great. There's a guy that really loves Football. Boy does he like the game, a Florida State guy. It was tough. We made our decisions at the end, and you make your decisions and move on. But any guy that I've ever been around and had a chance to coach and loves Football like he does, I'm one of his biggest fans and supporters."

If the Lions remain winless come next week, Marinelli might have nothing but regret after letting go of Davis.

jcohn@jg.net

Indianapolis vs. Detroit

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

TV: Fox

Radio: 1380 AM