THROWING GAMES TO REST STARTERS--AGREE or DISAGREE

[Bretsky]

Thoughts ?

Just watched the Colts game; I've enjoyed watching a strong % of their games all season and it has added to my appreciation for the brilliance of Payton Manning

I know the subject title was too strong........but as it turned out.....the decision by the Colts coaches to pull their best players essentially gift wrapped the game to the Jets.

The number of players/teams/fans that decision effects is enormous.

1. The Colts players clearly wanted to go undefeated. Some came out and said it and some went by the book in their interviews. The last two times, I think, the Colts did this they did not win the Super Bowl. They get a bye week one of the playoffs.

2. It's be amazing as a fan to witness history being made. It would be awesome to watch a team make a run like that......but think how much it'd have sucked to sit on those stands as a Colt fan while you watch the decisions gift wrap the game for the Jets

3. Thinks off all the potential playoff teams the Colts effected today. The Jets were trailing by 6 when the developmental squads started going in and they ended up winning by 14. If the Jets lose they are probably done thinking of the playoffs. Most of their competitors lost today to squads giving it their all. The Jets pulled ahead of a team playing with part of their B team and then pounded them into the ground. They went from being done to being in the drivers seat. If they win next week they make the playoffs over several teams who were upset this week by teams giving it their all. Perhaps Rex Ryan is getting rewarded for not showing any interest in Brett Favre j/k

[Rastak]

Makes perfect sense to me to do what is best to prepare for the playoffs. I have no issue at all with how the Colts did things.

[pbmax]

The Colts have more trouble with the Chargers than with the rest. They have done this every year they have clinched early. I am not a big believer in momentum in football. I think health and talent play a far bigger part. As for the Colts struggles in the playoffs, they have as much to do with the defense as with offensive continuity.

As for integrity, they have earned the right to play the games for their own purposes, not anyone else's. Just like a baseball team adjusting its rotation before the playoffs.

[Bretsky]

Makes perfect sense to me to do what is best to prepare for the playoffs. I have no issue at all with how the Colts did things.

History; I know if I was playing I'd want to run the table

[Bretsky]

The Colts have more trouble with the Chargers than with the rest. They have done this every year they have clinched early. I am not a big believer in momentum in football. I think health and talent play a far bigger part. As for the Colts struggles in the playoffs, they have as much to do with the defense as with offensive continuity.

As for integrity, they have earned the right to play the games for their own purposes, not anyone else's. Just like a baseball team adjusting its rotation before the playoffs.

Won't argue with the premise.....but then again........how'd it work for them the last two times ?

[Rastak]

I think if you give the guys a half you will keep them sharp enough.....

[Badgerinmaine]

If Peyton Manning had broken his leg in the fourth quarter against the Jets, people would be screaming the other way. Plus, in the event key players do get hurt later this season, you want to have some experience for your backup guys.

The biggest argument against pulling the starters against the Jets, in my opinion, is that the game had a large impact on the playoffs by helping the Jets win. In baseball, you'll often see a team that has clinched its spot or is out of the running go out of their way to play their best personnel in games that have an impact on the playoff race. Fans of the Texans, Steelers, Broncos, Ravens, etc. are probably pretty grumpy about what happened; as I read the playoff scenarios, given the Broncos loss to the Eagles, the Jets are in with a win over Cincinnati next week.

[The Leaper]

If you have to rely on other teams to beat someone for you to make the playoffs, you have no one to blame but yourself.

I have no problem with teams resting players...but a team like the Colts should probably play everyone who is healthy in the full game week 17. With the bye, too much rust develops when you start limiting playing time over 2-3 weeks.

[mmmdk]

In week 17 Packers must play to avoid going to Philly for wild card PO game.

[mmmdk]

In week 17 Packers must play to avoid going to Philly for wild card PO game.

...so I believe Packers must play to win in week 17 vs Cards. Btw I'm OK with Colts did today. Hence avoiding playing in Philly. Playing in Dallas doesn't bring good memories either so Arizona it is. :P

[HarveyWallbangers]

What if Dallas at home beats Philly?

[no hope in new hope]

RE: Colts

It seems to me that this has happened a lot in the Manning era. They win their division early, and then sit around for a couple of weeks and lose their edge. Maybe I'm remembering wrong, but this seems like their strategy every year, and it really hasn't panned out too well, except for the 1 SB.

[The Leaper]

In week 17 Packers must play to avoid going to Philly for wild card PO game.

Why? Philly looked quite beatable in the 2nd half against Denver with Kyle Orton at QB. And McNabb tweaked his hammy.

I'm not scared of Philly or Dallas. I'm scared of Arizona.

[gbgary]

i don't like it. it backfires on teams all the time.

WWLD

[Badgerinmaine]

What if Dallas at home beats Philly?

With the Cowboys' win last night, they've set up a pretty dramatic game for next week: The winner wins the division, and the loser gets one of the wild card spots. Either a Packers win over the Cardinals or the Eagles beating Dallas puts the Packers in the #5 seed and the 2nd place NFC East team (the Cowboys-Eagles loser) in the #6 seed.