Yes, I’m also annoyed the Colts pulled their starters. I’m not going to pontificate or scream or whine or moan, but I am disappointed, even though now we don’t have to read post after post from Aaron Schatz whining and claiming the Colts are “the worst undefeated team ever.” David Tyree, Aaron. Still not showing up in DVOA.
But here’s why we’re disappointed.
1) The Colts had Super Bowl-caliber teams in 2005 and 2006, and rested down the stretch. This did not work well. I’m OK with thinking “we didn’t lose b/c we rested the starters” because both losses were close, to a point. But if it’s become a trend, you need to change behavior in some fashion. With two underwhelming opponents remaining, this would have been it.
2) I don’t care about not caring about an undefeated season. (smacks head.) But if you’ve got to play them, you might as well win. With the Colts set to play the Jags and the Jets in weeks 15 and 16, two playoff hopefuls, you might as well destroy their playoff hopes, and beat them now, so you don’t have to beat ‘em later. I feel the same way about baseball. (See also, Cubs blowing off a 3-game Brewers series at end of year.)
3) Most importantly, I’m a fickle fan. I’m a pessimist. I’m different than most Colts fans (Blue Legion counts lots of annoying homers with massive chips-on-shoulders. Lots of them are fat Midwesterners.) I certainly don’t expect a Super Bowl title. For me, an undefeated season is a way out, and also accomplishes an important bit of schadenfreude.
If the Colts went 16-0, which they most assuredly would have done, they now have everything New England has. They own the longest unbeaten streak in regular season history, they would also have a perfect season, and would they have lost a Super Bowl, or even a playoff game, they would still be equal to NE’s 2007 team.
I suppose it’s lame and decidedly less-than-manly to rationalize a possibility of a loss amid an undefeated season and Super Bowl contention. But there you have it. The Colts are good enough to win the Super Bowl. They’re always ready to play. They’re good enough to win close games. You want to label them “the Atlanta Braves of the NFL?” Go ahead. It’s a badge of honor. I’m a proud fan. Most importantly, I trust them explicitly.
Still, they’re also good enough to lose in round 2 to a No. 6-seeded Pitt, or in the AFC championship game to San Diego. Or – heaven forbid – even New England in the divisionals. Sixteen and zero would have eased my worries. It was right there. Win or lose, it would have been cool.
So I’m not bothered by the loss that much. It just doesn’t quite make sense.(Gulps.)
