Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets recap

Just venting….

Well we all knew it would happen, we all knew that the Indianapolis Colts would rest their starters we just didn’t really have a clue when. Well we found out on Sunday as they rested them for the second half of the game versus the Jets (at least Peyton Manning anyway), and it showed. I am all about making sure players are healthy and I am all about preparing for the playoff run, but Indianapolis is a finesse offense, they need to be in rhythm and if there is no rhythm the offense struggles. Look at the past playoff runs for the Colts the time they were successful is when they had to battle and fight to get into the post season and when they did get in they won it all. Indianapolis has always rested their players when they have clinched the division, playoff spots or home field; but this year to me seemed a little different. I would have liked to see how far the Colts could have gone, I am a big fan of making history and they, in this season, have already made history with the consecutive wins in a regular season, so why not make history and finish it out perfect? As Herm Edwards said so brilliantly “You play to win the game” and I could not say it any better, you do play to win the game why else do you practice all week long, why do you put in all the hours of film study, why do you work so hard, why do you preach be perfect on every play, if you are just going to give up and concede? I love Indianapolis, I have been a fan for a long time and will continue to be a fan but there are times when you scratch your head and say ‘what in the world were they thinking?’ I also believe that if I were a fan that wanted to watch the Indianapolis Colts play at home and see them go for that perfect season and they put in the back ups I would say what is up with that? All I am saying is coaches preach it, players work for it and fans want to see it and if you can make it happen, just do it.

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The Game…

The game started great for Indianapolis as Joseph Addai took the handoff 21 yards for the first touchdown of the game, with the extra point blocked, and that was the only score in the first quarter of the game. In the second quarter both teams traded field goals, the Colts Vinatieri with a 22 yard field goal and the Jets Feely with a 35 yard field goal making the score at the half 9-3 Indy. In the beginning of the 3 rd quarter the Colts kicked off to the Jets Brad Smith and he took the kickoff back 106 yards to house to make the score 10-9 in favor of the Jets. Manning quickly got the Colts going again and they marched down the field and Donald Brown scored from one yard out to make the score 15-10 with the Colts missing the two point conversion attempt. Then Indianapolis sat out Manning and the Jets took advantage, with Curtis Painter in for Manning, Painter fumbled the ball off a hit from Marques Douglas and the Jets take it in for a score making the score 18-10 for the Jets. The rest of the game was all New York in the fourth Jay Feely tacked on another field goal making it 22-15 and finally Thomas Jones added another touchdown making the final score and adding a two point conversion Sanchez to Edwards with the final New York 29, Indianapolis 15 snapping the Colts regular season winning streak, and ending the undefeated season.

The Wrap up…

I would have hoped that the Colts could go undefeated and be set and ready for the playoffs on their way to another Super Bowl title. It is yet to be seen, the key to entering the playoffs is to enter as the hot team, and as I said the Colts are a team that plays in rhythm and if it is disrupted it could make for a short playoff run. Indianapolis has all the tools to make a good solid run, I am not real sure what will occur next week in the final game of the season but I am sure more rest for those starters. Let me just say if the players need to get healthy I am all for the rest but if they are ready to play let them play, keep the rhythm, and have that full head of steam going into the playoffs. If the Colts’ can maintain their rhythm and keep the momentum going, and if they get healthy and find the starters well rested that could be bad news for the other AFC teams in these playoffs. The Colts final regular season game will be against the Buffalo Bills check back with Pro Football Fans.com to see the game preview coming up later this week.

By Sam Adams
Pro Football Fans Indianapolis Colts Correspondent