Sport, unlike other occupations, is designed to produce only one winner. With the exception of Division I-A college football (another story for another day), only one team celebrates after the final game is played. No matter the number of impressive performances each year in a given sport, only one winner is crowned. That being said, the Indianapolis Colts must keep their focus on the end prize. Their leader Peyton Manning must act as the catalyst for them doing so. Media members, fans, and teams throughout the NFL are all asking the same questions. Can they do it? Will they do it? Should they do it? The hottest topic in the NFL has become the Colts and their so far unblemished record. They are a flawless month away from achieving a perfect regular season and three more wins beyond that from topping the 1972 Miami Dolphins for best record of all-time. Of course it would be a nice story if the Colts could accomplish such a feat. The mere fact that they are still undefeated adds a little spice to the already interesting football season. Though with all due respect to entertainment and history, the Colts have to do the job they originally set out to do.
The experience of accomplishing something is almost always followed by a lull, a period of time to walk around in the glory of the achievement that has just been accomplished. Sure there is a time to feel fat and happy, but prior to a run for a championship trophy is not that time. Not even home field advantage can save a fat and happy team, seemingly flat after making history. Just ask the 1998 Minnesota Vikings with their scoring record or baseball’s Atlanta Braves and their umpteenth division titles in a row. The 14-2 record of the Super Bowl winner looks far better than a16-0 record with a first round playoff loss.
Do not think for a second that the unbeatable Colts can not be upset come playoff time. Pittsburgh has proven to be nearly as invincible with a healthy and sharp Ben Roethlisberger. Jacksonville has a history of playing Indianapolis tough. Teams like San Diego and Kansas City feature high caliber offenses. Cincinnati’s offense has already shown it can score just about tit for tat with the Colts. Without mentioning a good-looking Denver team and the two-time defending champions New England, there are five potential defeats right there. The chance of a playoff loss would become even greater if they accomplish that lesser feat.
Which ever week the Colts clinch home field advantage should be the week they should shut it down and think long-term. Despite Head Coach Tony Dungy previously saying going undefeated is not the team’s goal, the decision to look at the bigger prize ultimately rest in the hands of Peyton Manning. He is the team leader and face of the franchise. He makes the final call on virtually every play that dynamic Colts offense runs. Motioning the field goal or punt team of the field in order to go for a fourth down is not uncommon to him. If Manning values a perfect record, he and the rest of the Colts’ starters will be logging snaps deep into the fourth quarter until perfection is no longer obtainable. If he steps up to plate and ignores history’s calling, Indianapolis will be mentally ready for a run at the Super Bowl. It may be natural for a player with Manning’s power and impact to find it difficult to let an obtainable feat slip by. This, though, is one instance he must stand-down, keep focused and gear up to win the war, not the battle.
4 replies on “Peyton Must Pull In Reins and Ground Colts”
Good article Just need to fix the spacing between, a and 16-0, and there is a huge space between him and if in the last paragraph. I voted even though I disagree and say they need to play the starters every game no matter what. If they have a big lead in the last game and are 15-0 then the starters can come out to rest for the playoffs, but not before then. They want to be 16-0 so they wont take it easy and rest Manning or anyone else before that point even if they clinch homefield. But thee article was well written thats why I voted for it.
comment Cernig I agree that it was a good article. However, I disagree that the Colts should play their starters. After clinching home field advantage they need to play their stars sparingly.
Interesting… J.B., I think you’re mistaking Peyton Manning for the Head Coach. After last Monday’s game I listened Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, and Dwight Freeney credit Tony Dungy with keeping them focused on the next game, and the long term Super Bowl goal, and not on an undefeated season.
I also think it would be a mistake to rest the starters at anytime other than the final game. Remember, it will be two weeks between their last regular season game and their first playoff game. Resting the starters in game 16 would mean three weeks off. I don’t think you really want more time off (non-game action) than that.
And, unless the game is fully under their control, or out of reach for a Colt’s comeback, I wouldn’t rest the starters in any game except the last week. You don’t want to lose the intensity of competition on offense or defense. If a game is still competitive, you’ve got to play your team. They need to stay game sharp, and competitive edgy.
By the way, that ’98 Vikings team lost to a 14-2, #4 ranked offense and defense, Atlanta Falcons. They didn’t lose because they were fat and happy, they lost because Atlanta had a helluva team that year, and Minnesota’s kicker missed a game clinching field goal in the final two minutes.
I guess I’m in a toss-up If I was coach right now I would agree with what you just said, but then again I don’t know the first thing about coaching. I wasn’t around for the ’72 Dolphins team so I can’t say they did this and they did that, but I think in the end it will come down to matching what the Dolphins did if possible for the Colts… just so they don’t have to hear all the bs that the media makes up these days.