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So what does this mean?

The Colts have clinched the AFC South for the fifth consecutive time, and also a first-round bye in the playoffs.  So what does that mean for the Colts the rest of the regular season?  I ask this because I am concerned about letting the starters get too much rest before the Divisional Round playoff game - which figures to be against a tough opponent this year.  I really don't want the first team defense to rest after an effort where they allowed 149 yards on the ground.  I'd rather the O-line take a break after giving up 3 sacks and pushing for only a 2.9 YPC rushing.  I don't want Peyton and the receiving corps leaning back and relaxing after getting only 276 yards and a single TD through the air, which was further mired by a touchdown.  And I certainly don't want Joseph Addai to rest on his laurels after only getting 44 yards against the 31st ranked run defense.

Look I love the Colts, especially this 07 variety.  I'm not a cynic, not a pessimist.  I just want my team READY to hit the Playoffs hard.  That's why I hoped the Steelers would play us close until the end so we had to fight for that No. 2 seed.  I don't mind the bye - it looks like Joe might have hit his "1-year veteran wall" - but I don't want two weeks of starters playing a quarter or two, and then resting, and then sitting in lounge chairs at practice with their Division Champion hats on, and then getting a bye week to prepare for the playoffs.  The Colts perform better with less rest, check out the history books.  I don't know what the league's general history is here, but this team plays a better underdog.

But I know that Dungy will do what it takes to get the O-line and D-line healthy again, and get Marvin back on the field.  I think these are the keys to success, in addition to letting KK get more reps in run or pass-block capacities so Joe can get back to where he needs to be(not to mention get KK the confidence he needs).

I don't live in Tony Dungy's head, so I don't know what this means to him, I just hope it means it's time to get some more practice time in.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Playoffs
Based on the day's results, there's been some flip-flopping.

Current Seeding:
Pats, Colts, Bolts, Steelers, Jags, Browns.

First Round games:
Jaguars @ Steelers
Browns @ Chargers

Second Round Games:
Chargers @ Colts / Steelers @ Colts / Jags @ Colts
Steelers @ NE / Jags @ NE / Browns @ NE

Chargers can't play NE since they're the 3 seed, and the Browns can't play Indianapolis because they're the 6 seed.

The problem is that it's impossible to predict matchups here. The Jags could knock of the rapidly fading Steelers and the Browns could take out San Diego. Any of the three possible teams could give the Colts or Pats problems, especially dependent on weather. If there's a full on snowstorm in Foxboro, the Jags can hit the Pats in the mouth and come out with a win. The Browns and Steelers are both cold-weather, outdoor teams. The Jets game, like the Colts, Eagles, and Ravens game, proved the Pats are very mortal.

Honestly, unless guys get healthy, I'm not sure how well the Colts will fare. Either top seed could be upset.

"Hey, if you want me to come here, I want to come here. But if you don't, I'm going to beat your butt for 15 years playing in the AFC." -Peyton Manning-

by MonkeyBusiness on Dec 16, 2007 10:27 PM EST   0 recs

I think....
I think that there's one thing given.  New England won't lose to the Browns.  It will be played outdoors, it will be cold in NE, and the Browns have no defense.  That means these things will happen:
  1.  The Brady-Moss connection will be open all day.
  2.  The Browns will be blitzed as they are a primarily pass first team this year.
  3.  The only way the Browns stand a chance is if they get 300 yards out of Jamal Lewis.
Here's my hope for the rest of the season.  The Steelers go 1-1 and the Browns win out to take the division.  The Chargers go 1-1 and fall to the 4 seed.  The Jags win out clinching the 5 seed. Leaving the match ups:

Steelers @ Browns
Jags @ Chargers

The Jags knock off the Chargers, the Browns beat the Steelers.  Sending Cleveland our way and Jacksonville to NE.  I would like the Jags in that match up with their ground game and I think we can expose the Browns defense like every other team outside northwestern New York.

This would cause the AFC Championship to be played as the final game in the RCA Dome vs. our favorite divisional foe.  

IMHO, that's our easiest road to Arizona.  Maybe we can even have Edge stand on our sideline for the game. :)

Colts fan in Chicagoland. Go Colts!

by Kyle321N on Dec 16, 2007 11:09 PM EST   0 recs

I blame ISTEP
"Chargers can't play NE since they're the 3 seed, and the Browns can't play Indianapolis because they're the 6 seed."

The NFL playoffs aren't straight seeding. The #1 seed gets the lowest ranked remaining wild card survivor. The #2 seed gets the other one. If Cleveland wins, they're going to New England. The only way Indy sees the Jags in the divisional round is if the Browns and Jags both win.

"Hey, if you want me to come here, I want to come here. But if you don't, I'm going to beat your butt for 15 years playing in the AFC." -Peyton Manning-

by MonkeyBusiness on Dec 17, 2007 4:28 PM EST to parent up   0 recs

A baloo is a:
a) alarm
b) bear
c) balloon
d) snake

Showing mah Indiana chops.

by PaytonMenning on Dec 17, 2007 9:24 PM EST to parent up   0 recs

This Colts team
This team has been out of sync all year.  With all the injuries, they have been focused on winning games and haven't been running the precise timing offense they have had in years past.  I think if they can get their front line players healthy, it gives us the opportunity to run an offense that other teams have not seen this year.  I would prefer that they play their offensive starters for at least a half and rest the defense as much as possible.  That being said, as many injuries as we have had this year, you would hate to see anybody get hurt and be lost for the playoffs.  Does Cornelius Bennett come to mind?

I also think this team has seen so much the last 5 years that they will perform well in the playoffs no matter whether they rest or play their starters.  I do like the position we are in now.  New England will be playing their starters to complete the unbeaten season and we will be resting ours, hopefully not for more than a half.  We also don't have to travel until the week of the Championship game (assuming we get there and New England does to).

by Blueisgood on Dec 16, 2007 11:22 PM EST   0 recs

Fixing the Colts
Here's the cure to what ails us:
  1. Get guys back on the field. I understand that it's imperative to rest guys for a long playoff run, but that doesn't matter if they're not in sync (see 2005). If Marvin is going to play this season, he needs to play the next two weeks, even if it's limited snaps.
  2. Fix special teams. I don't know what the problem is, but whatever it is it needs to be fixed. Maybe that means putting starters in, I don't know. Whatever it takes, make it happen, because if the Colts give up great field position and TDs in the playoffs, they're toast.
  3. Don't let up. Don't let the team rest for three weeks. Play these last two games like they're life and death, because if they slack off and finish 12-4, it portends bad things. You always want to go into the playoffs with a W.
"Hey, if you want me to come here, I want to come here. But if you don't, I'm going to beat your butt for 15 years playing in the AFC." -Peyton Manning-

by MonkeyBusiness on Dec 17, 2007 4:41 PM EST   0 recs

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