Football is back! Post your picks!

[Tbone]

Originally Posted by aw9725

Can't believe the Colts "management"! Haven't they learned anything from past experience? Each time they have "rested" their starters--they have had an early exit from the playoffs. Their one Super Bowl victory came after they played hard through the entire season. Including a tough come from behind win over New England here at the old RCA Dome.

Even worse, this "bonehead" move came just as San Diego is peaking. New England is always tough... Cincinnati even smells blood. Now, instead of coming into Lucas facing a 16-0 "machine" and pumped-up fans, they will face a team that has lost its stride and probably its last two games. Hell, as one sportswriter pointed out, we might even lose to the Jets in the playoffs--wouldn't that be "poetic justice"?

I ran into my good friend and our university's basketball coach Monday and asked him what he would have done in the same situation--would he have pulled his starters? He looked at me like I was nuts for even asking--then said "You play to win." "Always."

If the Colts win their last regular season game and end 15-1 they will go into the playoffs without the media hanging the "Unbeaten Season" monkey on their backs. This happened to New England a couple of seasons ago and by the Superbowl it felt like it was the only thing all the sports writers/pundits were talking about. A 16-0 recored is good, but 15-1 and Superbowl Champs is better.

Lets see if all the starters return this weekend.

Tbone,

I hope you're right. Unfortunately, the way it went down wasn't good and has left a bad feeling around here. I doubt that will last--just wait 'till next week! I never really thought 16-0 was the goal anyway. I expected they would pull the starters either after the first series and say to the backups "let's see what you're made of" or (the way the game was going) pull them after more of a lead had been built--maybe 4th Q. Did get to see any of the game? Manning and co. didn't look that great early on (but we've seen that before).

What concerns me much more is to see San Diego on the rise. They have taken us out the last two times. At least it will be played here!

Personally, I think the chances of going to the Super Bowl and winning are still very good. I'll be happy with 15-1 and another championship. Will be interesting to see who represents the NFC.

[Tbone]

Originally Posted by aw9725

Tbone,

I hope you're right. Unfortunately, the way it went down wasn't good and has left a bad feeling around here. I doubt that will last--just wait 'till next week! I never really thought 16-0 was the goal anyway. I expected they would pull the starters either after the first series and say to the backups "let's see what you're made of" or (the way the game was going) pull them after more of a lead had been built--maybe 4th Q. Did get to see any of the game? Manning and co. didn't look that great early on (but we've seen that before).

What concerns me much more is to see San Diego on the rise. They have taken us out the last two times. At least it will be played here!

Personally, I think the chances of going to the Super Bowl and winning are still very good. I'll be happy with 15-1 and another championship. Will be interesting to see who represents the NFC.

Another bad week for the Colts. Looks like they were avoiding injuries ahead of the playoffs, Manning got his 4500 yards and Clark his 100th reception. Following these past two games and what will in effect be a third week off next week will they be ready for the Bengals, Ravens or Jets the week after? Jets have just ended the half 27-0 up - barring an unlikely 2nd half that gets rid of the Texans and keeps the now 3rd seeded Patriots away from the Colts in 2 weeks time.

The weather was the only saving grace here, was it another reason the Colts took it easy this week? At least the Colts won't have to play through falling snow in the playoffs.

And your Chargers fears are building, their second string came back for a win this week - even if it was only against a poor Washington side.

How confident are you now?

Originally Posted by Tbone

How confident are you now?

Expected they would throw this one away. The starters looked great. If Manning is on his game and has all his "targets" they could beat anyone. The only question is which team "shows up" in the playoffs. Unfortunately, if past history is a guide, the strategy of "resting Peyton and co" has not been effective.

The year the Colts won it all they had to "work" their way through the playoffs including a wild card game and a dramatic "come from behind" win over New England which they had the advantage of playing here.

I think the Chargers are still the biggest threat. Also it would be ironic if the Jets would advance to the Super Bowl. If so, I hope we at least get a "thanks"!

Will be at the game tonight. Kickoff is at 8:15 our time. Won't be easy, the Ravens are a tough team. The first picture was taken at Rose Hullman Institute where the Colts practice. That is Peyton Manning's "protection" in the background. The "littlest" guy is #63 Jeff Saturday--6'2" 295.

The other pictures are my two favorite Colt players: #93 Dwight Freeney, and #21 Bob Sanders (said to be out with a torn biceps).

?Madden 2010? predicts Colts 24 Ravens 13. I?ll take that?

Good luck guys!

Great game! This is the loudest I've ever heard the crowd at the new stadium. Almost as loud as the old "dome." The only scary moments were when Manning took a hard hit and Antoine Bethea landed on his back after making an interception.

Next week brings San Diego or the Jets. I will be watching that matchup Sunday with friends.

That?s a tough call! The Chargers/Jets game is just about to start as I write this. Don?t really know who I would like to see Indy play. Phillip Rivers is a good quarterback and San Diego has recently become Indy?s ?nemesis? taking that role away from New England. They are also on their way up as the season ends. They have never won a championship and are ?hungry.?

On the other hand, the Jets have the #1 ranked defense and were playing very well against our starters until Indy?s ?management? decided to bench ?Peyton and Co.? Let the record show that we were ahead 15-10 at that stage and may have indeed won with our 1st team (at least I think so). I still question that decision mainly because it let a potentially dangerous competitor into the playoffs--if we had taken them out and gone 15-1 (the Buffalo game truly was meaningless), we wouldn?t have to worry about New York. On the other hand, we will never know who would have won.

Right now, the Colts have so much going for them that it would be damned hard for anyone to beat them--especially here at home. You should see how crazy it is here already. They looked good last night and Peyton has so many ?targets? to throw to: Wayne, Clark, Collie, Garcon, and even Addai. They have enough of a ?running game? to give Manning a break every couple of downs. The defense is playing well and has shored up the ?middle? with a couple of 300 pound run stoppers. Dwight Freeney is still one of the best pass rushers around and Melvin Bullitt (is that a cool name or what?) has stepped in at Strong Safety and has made some big plays for us (kids are already sporting #33 jerseys). He is the one that stopped New England?s shot at going for it on 4th down earlier this year.

At this stage it comes down to execution on game day. Either New York or San Diego will be tough. If Indy brings it?s ?A? game next week neither one will stand a chance--if not, then San Diego or New York may be going to Miami in February. Update: it's still 0-0 as I post.