Recap Week Fifteen: Colts 21-Raiders 14

by Brad Wells on Dec 16, 2007 10:32 PM EST in Game Recaps

The silver lining of Marvin Harrison's injury is Anthony Gonzalez has emerged in his absence.
Photo: Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

A bunch of kids (3 rookies, and Josh Thomas) started along the d-line today, and yet Oakland still couldn't throw the football. Even though Oakland ran the football very well and played tough defense, it wasn't enough to stop Peyton Manning from leading yet another fourth quarter comeback (he's got, like, a billion of them; but no one seems to care). The Colts defense did a good job in the fourth quarter quarter stopping Oakland's offense on their final drive.

And despite yet another game where special teams kick coverages look like crap, TJ Rushing provides a bright spot, running a punt back 90 yards for a TD. Remember, TJ was cut earlier this year (for the San Diego game) because of all the injuries to the o-line. Damn good thing no one claimed him, because TJ is playing very well both on special teams and on defense.

Anthony Gonzalez also continues to develop. The silver lining of Marvin Harrison's injury is it has forced Gonzo to step up. Manning feels more comfortable throwing the ball to Gonzo, and Gonzo seems more comfortable playing wide than playing in the slot receiver. When Marvin comes back, the Colts should seriously think about starting Reggie Wayne in the slot and have Gonzo out wide.

The Colts win sets an NFL record. They are the first team to win 12 or more wins in 5 straight years. Manning also passed Joe Montana for 8th all-time in pass attempts. The Colts also locked up the #2 seed and won the AFC South, the division they were supposed to lose this year to Jacksonville, or Tennessee, or Houston, or whoever.

I'll admit: I secretly wanted Indy to lose this game, and I REALLY wanted Pittsburgh to beat the Jags. Why? Because the next two games for the Colts mean absolutely NOTHING to them, and they mean everything for their opponents (Texans and Titans, respectively). This means, with the bye, the Colts will not play a meaningful game in almost a month.

Anyone else having flashbacks of 2005?

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.

Bullard47 makes a great point. Yes, winning the division and getting the bye is excellent, but this team has not played well when it has rested for too long. See 1999 and 2005 for examples. So, while I'm happy they've locked these things up, I'm not comfortable.

And neither should they.

For a Raider fan's POV, check out saint's take on the game at Silver and Black Pride. 12-2 and playing good, scrappy football. I hope they can keep it going, even though the next two game mean nothing. This is where we will really see if Dungy can keep them focused and sharp. Go Colts! AFC South Champs!

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I think

Maybe they should get a rest against the Texans, and then comeback to kick the Titans ass.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by MerryGoByeBye on Dec 17, 2007 9:14 AM EST reply actions

charlie johnson

First, I totally agree about being "worried" on them having 2 meaningless games and part of me also wanted Pitts to win so the colts had at least 1 more useful game but I think overall I am happy they don't HAVE to play hard next week for the simple fact of the injuries. Having said that though, I think they should prepare for texans as if the game mattered and go in with the intention of playing the starters all game and only sit them if the following occurs:

-they get a big lead early

-the OL sucks balls yet again and/or guys are getting hit hard.

Now onto the game yesterday...WHY THE HELL DOES CHARLIE JOHNSON GET TO START? The guy sucks and I swear it seemed every play he was getting bitched. SHEESH. I feared for peyts' life in that game because of how shit Johnson is. I mean fock, almost every dropback he had a guy right by him almost instantly. SHEESH. I am starting to think Johnson is the out of wedlock son of Dungy because he is sooooo bad and toudouze continually outplays him when he gets to play.

WTF is with Clark and his drops this season? 2 more yesterday. He's been a letdown for the the last 7-8 games. He also had piss poor run blocking yesterday.

The DL didn't do anything special to prevent the raiders from passing....the raiders chose not to pass more and instead (logically) run the ball and eat the clock. The Colts D was overall mediocre that game but I can let it pass with all the injuries. Man they need Mathis back and Bethea too even though I think Giordano is pretty good.

Freddy K was a beast and I liked his play.

Gonzo is a pimp and I am excited to see this trio when Marvin comes back. I agree that Gonzo should start at wideout and Wayne int he slot. Wayne should be able to kill whoever is covering him then.

An ugly win but hey, a win is a win I guess.

Here's hoping Dungy doesn't pull a 2005 again and have this team rest for 2 games and come out flat in that divisional game.

by Rob L on Dec 17, 2007 9:33 AM EST reply actions

um...

2 dropped passes? He had AT LEAST 4 yesterday.

Go Colts!

by KingRichard on Dec 17, 2007 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

Rest

Something tells me Dungy won't do anything different than he did in '05. With the rash of injuries we have had this year, I would lean towards resting guys again. I mean, how much would it suck if someone like Bob or Brackett got hurt in a meaningless game? The Colts are so thin at depth these days, another injury to a key player would be very difficult to overcome. That being said, it obviously makes me nervous to rest guys for a month. Especially if the horse had to face the Jags in that first playoff game. They would be very pumped up, and if the horse failed to come out on top of their game, it could be scary.

Also, anyone else keeping an eye on Peyton's record? Brady with ZERO touchdowns yesterday? Nice. Now he has to throw 5 in the last 2 games to break it. Sure, very possible, but at least it's not a given. If he breaks it, whatever (especially if we win the superbowl), but it would be nice if he didn't.

The Shogun of Harlem

by shonuff on Dec 17, 2007 9:59 AM EST reply actions

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