*** NFL Week 16 Discussion Thread ***

[JJChicken]

WTF @ Colts lol.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I can't remember where resting your starters has benefited anyone outside of the year Philadelphia played New England in the Super Bowl. I remember T.O. being hurt and I think McNabb was trying to rest for some reason, and that is it. Every other team that has rested starters has lost early in the playoffs. Can anyone point out another time this has helped another team? I am totally open.

I can't remember a time where it has benefited a team either, other than if the players were actually banged up or injured. It would have been different if Manning and Wayne had been playing injured the last few weeks and needed a break once their playoff spot was locked up. Caldwell originally said a couple of weeks ago that "healthy" starters would play, and that was the strategy he should have kept using.

However, that obviously was not the case here. And this 14-0 record was much different than in past years, when the Colts started off with a long string of wins. The meat of their schedule was behind them this year and they had two easily winnable games (Jets and Bills) left. There is absolutely no way on earth the Jets beat the Colts with the starters playing and though the Bills would be tough due to weather, it would still be winnable.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

As one of the biggest colt's fans on this board, that is about the only thing that will redeem this piss-poor decision. Over at the big colts board we're even wishing we had belicheat as a coach in that game. That should say it all. Wanting to replace your coach with the most hated one.

At least they played to win, Colts played to lose. Fuck Caldwell. You don't play to lose.

Chargers fate is sealed, let's see what they do. They won't play to lose.

I've been a big Colts fan since they moved here in 1984 and have lived through the poor times (1-15 records), frustrating times (losing to Pittsburgh in the 95 AFC Championship which we were a dropped ball away from winning), and the great times (SB 41 and the Manning era). I would have to say that yesterday might have been the most disappointing loss I can remember, and that is saying LOTS. Even more so than the losses to the Chargers in the playoffs.

Caldwell had two easily winnable games and that was the difference between this 14-0 start and other great starts. The meat of the schedule was behind them. Let's face it, the Jets played like crap against the Colts starters (especially on offense) and there was zero chance they win this game if the starters played the rest of the game. Heck, even one more scoring drive from Manning and company might have been enough to do it. I am not upset with Painter either -- the guy is a rookie for God's sake and this was his first real NFL action, so what did Caldwell expect would happen?

I don't necessarily blame Caldwell for pulling Manning with the lead, but when the Jets went up, he should have put him back in and gone for the win.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Trying to get a loss out of the way so they know what it feels like I guess. But in doing so it totally blew any confidence and momentum the team felt.

Caldwell fucked up the good vibes. Bad move. Very bad move. If Colts don't go to the super bowl I put it squarely on him. Colts fans are extremely pissed.

Don't forget the true architect of this decision -- Bill Polian. He is way too stubborn and you'd think he would have learned from past years.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Like I said before, they very well may lose their first game like they did the last time they had the #1 seed and coasted like this and not even make it to face the Chargers

Good point. The earliest they could possibly face the Chargers would be the AFC Championship, and there is no guarantee they will make it that far if they "rest" their players next week and come out and take half the first playoff game to get back in sync.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

if manning had more balls, he'd have pulled a favre. i lost respect for manning yesterday.

 

[MotF Bane]

Don't forget the true architect of this decision -- Bill Polian. He is way too stubborn and you'd think he would have learned from past years.

Well, I think I should buy that man a thank you card, for ending their perfect season.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Well, I think I should buy that man a thank you card, for ending their perfect season.

Hey, if the Colts win out and win the SB (not saying it will happen, but it could), their 18-1 season would actually mean something. Unlike certain other 18-1 seasons in the recent past....oh, I don't know, maybe like the PATRIOTS in 2007.

At any rate, it was a mind-numblingly dumb decision on their part. There was no way the Jets win that game if Manning finishes and the Colts would likely beat Buffalo too. It was almost too easy for them to finish 16-0.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

if manning had more balls, he'd have pulled a favre. i lost respect for manning yesterday.

Thank God he didn't. Favre is an egomaniac who has tarnished his reputation so badly with his antics over the past 3 or 4 years that I wouldn't want him on my team at all. He might be a great QB, but he is a crybaby.

 

[MotF Bane]

Hey, if the Colts win out and win the SB (not saying it will happen, but it could), their 18-1 season would actually mean something. Unlike certain other 18-1 seasons in the recent past....oh, I don't know, maybe like the PATRIOTS in 2007.

Touche.

Thank God he didn't. Favre is an egomaniac who has tarnished his reputation so badly with his antics over the past 3 or 4 years that I wouldn't want him on my team at all. He might be a great QB, but he is a crybaby.

He's [Favre] not even really that great. By performance, there's plenty better QB's. He works for the Vikings, true, but that was largely the rest of the team just needing a good QB.

 

[Arkaign]

If the Skins had any sort of offense to speak of they could have won that game. Their D shut down Dallas for what, nearly 3 quarters?

Huh?

Box score :

D : 7 - 7 - 0 - 3 (17)
W : 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 (0)

 

[Adrenaline]

if manning had more balls, he'd have pulled a favre. i lost respect for manning yesterday.

How can you lose respect for a person taking their boss's orders? The coach runs the team, not the QB. As pissed off as everyone is, this is not Peyton's decision.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

How can you lose respect for a person taking their boss's orders? The coach runs the team, not the QB. As pissed off as everyone is, this is not Peyton's decision.

Not only that, he holds Favre up as an example of how to behave. I mean seriously, WTF?

 

[MotF Bane]

Not only that, he holds Favre up as an example of how to behave. I mean seriously, WTF?

He's from Philly. Cut him some slack.

 

[mugs]

Huh?

Box score :

D : 7 - 7 - 0 - 3 (17)
W : 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 (0)

From the middle of the second quarter until the end of the game Dallas only scored 3 points, so he wasn't too far off. He didn't say the first 3 quarters. Regardless, Washington's defense did very well.

 

[Gibson486]

I can understand why the colts did what they did...but as a football fan...wtf? Do you have no respect for the game? Someone wins a superbowl every year, but who wins the superbowl AND goes undefeated?

 

[Dedpuhl]

"Resting" the starters has never helped the Colts. They will not make it past the Chargers.

<-- Colts fan

 

[Adrenaline]

"Resting" the starters has never helped the Colts.

Everyone knows this except Colts management.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

Not only that, he holds Favre up as an example of how to behave. I mean seriously, WTF?

i hate favre and i think peyton is the second coming of jesus. but this was just lame. you can take orders from the boss but its not like peyton didn't know this was gonna happen...he could have tried to talk caldwell out of this.

edit: while i think the pats are the douchiest team in american sports besides the yankees, i respect that they play every game to win and beat the opponent. they never play down to their opponent.

 

[Regs]

I can't believe us Giants fans are going to watch the Jets in the playoffs. Our defense is THAT bad! I never seen the Giants get walked all over so badley than this year.

And if people are blaming Eli for their losses, then they are retarded and do not deserve to watch foot ball.

 

[Adrenaline]

I can't believe us Giants fans are going to watch the Jets in the playoffs. Our defense is THAT bad! I never seen the Giants get walked all over so badley than this year.

And if people are blaming Eli for their losses, then they are retarded and do not deserve to watch foot ball.

Eli isn't the greatest QB but he is far from the worst. He needs a #1 WR badly. The Giants record without Plax is like 10-10 or close to it. Your defense needs to get some rest, he has to be able to move the football and score.

The Giants need to upgrade their WR and defensive secondary positions. I am not a diehard Giants fan so I can't tell you everything they need and be 100% right.

Heck, I am a Bears fan and we need WR and defensive secondary people. It seems the only person our QB can throw the ball to besides the opposing team is our TE. The Giants are in a better position than the Bears right now.

 

[TheVrolok]

Huh?

Box score :

D : 7 - 7 - 0 - 3 (17)
W : 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 (0)

Hmm, felt like a lot longer in between the TDs and the FG, maybe just because the game was incredibly boring? Either way, I stand by my statement. There was absolutely nothing impressive about Dallas that game. If Washington had any sort of offense to speak of, they would have made it a game. Of course, that doesn't mean a whole lot for next week because NFC East games are always toss ups.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Really hoping the Bears can hold this lead. It would be awesome if the Eagles could get the #2 seed next week.

 

[TheVrolok]

Looks like Brett decided the Vikings are going to win this one.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Bears are seriously choking. Their defense can't help but give up 10 yards on every play.