They’re my team. It’s time I spoke up as a local fan on my thoughts about the Colt’s loss to the New York Jets last night. The Colts were sitting on a 14-0 season with two apparently insignificant hurdles to wrap-up the season with 16-0.
If you haven’t been paying attention. The Colts started the season with a new head-coach in Jim Cardwell. Many of our starters were injured early and many folks didn’t think this season would amount to much. I actually expected a successful season, but wasn’t expecting this much success.
Going into Sunday’s game we were undefeated at 14-0. We were fighting with New Orleans for awhile for the potential perfect season and the dropped the ball against Dallas a couple of weeks ago and to Tampa Bay this week.
The Colts have tied the record for 23 straight regular season wins. The most wins in a decade and were looking at capping it all off with a 16-0 regular season. It was within reach. With a 5 point lead against the Jets, the decision was made by the upper management to start pulling starters to save them for a Super Bowl run.
I’m all about focusing on the Super Bowl win, but I don’t think it would have taken much to leave Manning and others in for another half a quarter, or at least until another touchdown and/or field goal was scored. Give a cushion, rest your starters and get the win. That didn’t happen.
I don’t want to fight too much with the decision, I just don’t think another offensive drive would have made too much of a difference and would have kept the spirits of your team and your fans much higher. Go into Buffalo next week with the same plan, get ahead quick and rest as needed and the perfect season would have been there and the ongoing winning regular season would still be going for next year.
I don’t like the decision. I’m not happy. But I’m not going to drag it out like this guy who thinks the Indianapolis City-Council should pursue ticket refunds for all fans.