Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 06:34 PM EST
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super bowl]
It's quite simple, really. To avoid getting lambasted by media types and fans alike, all Tony Dungy needs to do is something that's never been before - guide his currently undefeated Colts to a 19-0 record and a Super Bowl win. Easy, right?
Some want the Colts to continue to go all out, despite the fact that their playoff position won't change regardless of what happens over the next three weeks. Others want them to rest the Big Three (Manning, Harrison and James) so that they're well rested for the playoffs. The fact of the matter is that Dungy really only has one option - do what he feels is best for his team and let the chips fall where they may. A coach should never make decisions based on potential fan and/or media reaction. He should, however, listen to his players. And the smart money says that the Colts will want to keep the momentum going, and no one could fault them for that. If a key player happens to go down with an injury, then so be it. Peyton Manning could just as easily get hurt shoveling snow as he can by playing these last three games. And, though I doubt Peyton shovels a whole lot of snow these days, the point remains that injuries are a fact of life.
Some will argue that the Colts absolutely have to play all of their regulars for the simple fact that they would be jeopardizing their shot at an undefeated season - and supposed immortality - if they didn't. I've never understood the infatuation with a perfect regular season. Granted, it's only been done twice in the history of the NFL, but it means absolutely nothing if the Colts falter in the playoffs. Do teams get rings for undefeated regular seasons? If Indy allowed some of their marquee players to sit, lost a couple of meaningless regular season games, and yet still won the Super Bowl, would their accomplishment be somewhat diminished?
In my opinion, it's far more important to play your starters from here on out for no other reason but to keep them mentally sharp. If you happen to remain undefeated along the way, then that's just an added bonus. With home field advantage locked up throughout the AFC playoffs, the Colts won't play a meaningful game for another month. Having never played professional football, I would assume that it would be difficult for Manning and Co. to keep the momentum going through three weeks of standing on the sidelines in street clothes followed by another off week before they strapped it up again in the divisional playoffs.
For arguments' sake, let's just say that the Colts decide to take the foot off of the accelerator - there's a very good chance that San Diego could come into the RCA Dome this week and end the undefeated streak. Oh, by the way, the Chargers happen to be a very dangerous football team - a team that Indy could help keep out of the playoffs with a win on Sunday. So it probably isn't the smartest idea to trot out the second-stringers, get blown out, and give San Diego added confidence from the fact that they now know they can beat you (at least, a stripped-down version), especially considering that you might run into them a few weeks later when it really counts.
Assuming for a moment that the Colts win on Sunday, the following week is a similar story. Indy travels to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seahawks in what could very well be a preview of Super Bowl XL. Again, you don't want to give teams whom you may face in the playoffs the impression that they can beat you. In Week 17, the Colts play Arizona, and even the backups can pull out a win against those hapless Cardinals.
If you were to ask every man on the Colts' roster what their primary goal is for this season, I guarantee that they would tell you that it isn't about chasing history, but rather to win the Super Bowl. The thought of hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy above their heads on the first Sunday in February is what motivates every player on every team in the NFL. Undefeated teams are a novelty, but champions are forever.
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