Colts not playing to win.

[know1]

I'm not really a fan of the NFL, so it doesn't make a big difference to me, but in my opinion it is just downright wrong not to play to win when you have a stadium full of fans that paid tons of money for their tickets.

I know it will be mentioned about not getting someone injured for the playoffs, etc., but that game was still in doubt.

If they had been down by 2 TDs (or up by 2 TDs), I could understand pulling the starters. Essentially, they forfeited the game. If they were going to do that, why didn't they do it before the game and save everyone some trouble?

And what will they do next week? If Peyton and the starters start that game, then the coach will look extremely hypocritical. If they don't start, then Peyton's consecutive streak will be broken.

I'll sum up my feelings as this: You play to win games. You owe that to your fans. If you're not going to try and win a game, then drop out of the league.

[DJD]

I see both sides myself and say that should have played to win. I know the goals of the coaches are to make the playoffs, Division Champs, Conference Champs and Super Bowl Champs. They prolly get paid more for each milestone and it helps their resume' when they get fired and are searching for another team.

[mhall]

I can see both sides as to not get your Superstars hurt, however I really didn't totally understand that move either. With a Peyton Manning as QB and that offense why not try to win that game it was far from decided when they pulled the plug. It almost had a feel of, ''Oh well we are gonna let you guys have this one and play another day'', if we really wanted to win we would. Kinda arrogant really if you think about it.

I heard a few Boo birds sprinkled in those stands to.

[billm_usa1]

I kind of thought they'd play the Jets to win and then pull everybody after the 1st series in Buffalo next week. But I'm just paying the sales tax to pay for their stadium. It was better to have painter knocked around then Peyton. Above all they earned the right to do whatever they wanted to do.

#1 seed in AFC
Homefield through out
AFC South Champions
Manning 50,000 yards & MVP ?
Wayne 100+ Caatches
Clark 94 Catches
Collie rookie of the year ?

Not much left to play for but the Super Bowl.

[mhall]

They have been the Bomb that's for sure.

[psprowler]

I kind of thought they'd play the Jets to win and then pull everybody after the 1st series in Buffalo next week. But I'm just paying the sales tax to pay for their stadium. It was better to have painter knocked around then Peyton. Above all they earned the right to do whatever they wanted to do.

#1 seed in AFC
Homefield through out
AFC South Champions
Manning 50,000 yards & MVP ?
Wayne 100+ Caatches
Clark 94 Catches
Collie rookie of the year ?

Not much left to play for but the Super Bowl.

Well I guess they have proved in the past with their multiple super bowl rings that resting the players at the end of the season is the key..............

[Tim_T]

They were PLAYING TO WIN. It is not the responsibility of a team to do anyhting other than look out for themselves. They are playing to win, when it counts! Can you says Rick Pitino and UK 1996 team and sitting Antione (stick on 18, hit on 17) Walker when UK was playing Miss. St. in the SEC tournament championship game?

[psprowler]

They were PLAYING TO WIN. It is not the responsibility of a team to do anyhting other than look out for themselves. They are playing to win, when it counts! Can you says Rick Pitino and UK 1996 team and sitting Antione (stick on 18, hit on 17) Walker when UK was playing Miss. St. in the SEC tournament championship game?

Tim that worked for Pitino but the Colts have showed enough times that resting the players at the end of the season followed by the first round bye = loss in their first playoff game.

The real reason I'm peed off is because I can't stand the 72' dolphins. They won 14 regular season games against nobody and they'll let you know about it. Just ask Mercury Morris.

Vomit.

[DJD]

They were PLAYING TO WIN. It is not the responsibility of a team to do anyhting other than look out for themselves. They are playing to win, when it counts! Can you says Rick Pitino and UK 1996 team and sitting Antione (stick on 18, hit on 17) Walker when UK was playing Miss. St. in the SEC tournament championship game?

I don't see it that way. I think they had a responsibility to themselves, the fans and the game to try and make history. Isn't that what drives so much in sports? Records and stats?

Peyton and the boys wanted that chance (IMO) the coaching staff/owners want a safety net....but I say they blew it. The actions of Sunday do not guaranty another victory for the rest of the year. Playing not to lose is way different than playing to win....we saw that on Sunday.

If they don't win it all or someone gets hurt the decision will look like a bad game plan. They choked on this call...I thought the NFL was all about smash mouth big boys giving it their all? I don't know I just didn't like the call.

If they didn't need the win then why did Manning even play more than one down? For the record of starts? To pad his stats? Why go half cocked?

[CMorg]

Tim that worked for Pitino but the Colts have showed enough times that resting the players at the end of the season followed by the first round bye = loss in their first playoff game.

The real reason I'm peed off is because I can't stand the 72' dolphins. They won 14 regular season games against nobody and they'll let you know about it. Just ask Mercury Morris.

Vomit.

Well said , just ask the Pittsburg steelers a few years ago when they knocked off our "Well rested" players. That was stupid , Manning clearly wanted to play , he had his helmet on more than once. I think that was a bad call personally , just took the wind out of their sails.

[Tim_T]

I don't see it that way. I think they had a responsibility to themselves, the fans and the game to try and make history. Isn't that what drives so much in sports? Records and stats?

Peyton and the boys wanted that chance (IMO) the coaching staff/owners want a safety net....but I say they blew it. The actions of Sunday do not guaranty another victory for the rest of the year. Playing not to lose is way different than playing to win....we saw that on Sunday.

If they don't win it all or someone gets hurt the decision will look like a bad game plan. They choked on this call...I thought the NFL was all about smash mouth big boys giving it their all? I don't know I just didn't like the call.

If they didn't need the win then why did Manning even play more than one down? For the record of starts? To pad his stats? Why go half cocked?

Don, I agree that the players want to make history, but the team just wants wo win. If they win the Super Bowl, we will all be on here talking about what a brilliant move it was. If not, we will all be second guessing.

I do think they have an obligation to the fans....to win championships. I really see this as a no-win situation.

[Hlleonard]

I think we all would make the same decision in our lives too given the same choice... why would we take our $50,000 truck down in the hollar and through the woods if we had a less valuable truck....what would you guys that want the colts to get to the superbowl be saying today if manning had gotten hurt in that game ...Even the "fans in the stands" would have crucified who ever was responsible for playing him in a game that didn't matter if he had gotten hurt..