If the Colts go 14-0, 13-1, or even 12-2 through week 15, they could have home field advantage already wrapped up before week 16. If that's the case, the Colts' starters would still start, but might get pulled after the first quarter or at halftime. In 2005, the Colts went 13-0 before losing in week 15. In week 16, Manning started, but only threw 12 passes before being pulled from the game. That probably cost many owners a win in their championship game. With the Colts running away with the conference, is anyone worried about Manning, Wayne, Clark, and Addai seeing limited action in week 16 this year?
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Anyone worried about Colts being benched in week 16? (1 Viewer)
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I had both Manning and Harrison that year, definitely cost me. Of course the Colts ended up sucking in the playoffs and some blamed the excessive time off for their key starters. I think you will see Manning and Co. playing about 1/2 of the game after week 15. The Colts are effectively 3 games up right now since they have the tiebreaker against Cincinnati, the only 7-2 team in the AFC. The only thing Cincinnati has going for them is they play Oakland, Cleveland and Detroit the next three weeks while the Colts play a Houston, Tennessee and Denver. Maybe Cincinnati can pick up a game or two and put some pressure on.
Aardvarks
Footballguy
Yes it's coming. Jim Caldwell will carry out Dungy's yearly tradition:
In week 17 Manning, Wayne, Clark and Addai always slip out of the game late in the 1st quarter. Wayne has gone a series or two in the 2nd quarter before. Now, if they are truly gunning for 16-0 it's another story- but I don't see that mattering much to them. It didn't help the Pats when they went 16-0.
Bottom line: Plan on benching all Colts in week 17.
In week 17 Manning, Wayne, Clark and Addai always slip out of the game late in the 1st quarter. Wayne has gone a series or two in the 2nd quarter before. Now, if they are truly gunning for 16-0 it's another story- but I don't see that mattering much to them. It didn't help the Pats when they went 16-0.
Bottom line: Plan on benching all Colts in week 17.
Spartans346
Footballguy
They will play. You can't rest them too long.
They will play, but one quarter or one half of work is enough to keep them sharp. I own Manning and don't have a lot of confidence that he will play a full game in week 16.
Assuming it is wrapped up, the best guess is the stars play half the game.
Thing thing the Saints have going for them is the Vikings are more likely to be on the Saints tail going into week 16. I am not sure about Cinci pressing Indy.
Considering I have no Colts or Saints, I hope this happens. I think it is more likely if they drop a game. But if they have a chance for a perfect season, I think the starters play through the season. Especially Manning who I believe to be interested in these types of records.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
It's not a good matchup for the Colts, anyway, as the Jets have maybe the top pass defense in the league. I certainly wouldn't be excited about starting Manning or Wayne or Clark for a half against them.
Hoss_Cartwright
Footballguy
Colts coach Jim Caldwell confirmed that he will follow Tony Dungy's philosophy of resting key players once he has home-field advantage locked up for the playoffs.
"It'll be somewhat similar to what we've done," Caldwell said. "Going undefeated was always a secondary goal. I don't think we'll put too much emphasis on that." Fantasy owners of the Colts' superstars should hope that they lose to the streaking Titans this week. Indy currently holds a three-game lead in the AFC. We could see a lot of Donald Brown, Austin Collie, and Tom Santi in the final few weeks if the Colts continue to rack up victories. Nov. 30 - 11:59 am et
Source: SI.com
"It'll be somewhat similar to what we've done," Caldwell said. "Going undefeated was always a secondary goal. I don't think we'll put too much emphasis on that." Fantasy owners of the Colts' superstars should hope that they lose to the streaking Titans this week. Indy currently holds a three-game lead in the AFC. We could see a lot of Donald Brown, Austin Collie, and Tom Santi in the final few weeks if the Colts continue to rack up victories. Nov. 30 - 11:59 am et
Source: SI.com
purestrength
Footballguy
Geez, I would think that Caldwell had learned from Dungy's mistakes. I guess I thought wrong.I actually believed the Colts had a decent chance at 19-0 too, but not if they continue the tradition of overresting their stars. Another first-game playoff loss to San Diego is on the way.
Hoss_Cartwright
Footballguy
This is pissing me off. I can't believe they would do that again, knowing full well the Colts need their timing passing game to be in sync.
Darryl Talley
Footballguy
Does anyone have an idea of what to expect from their offense if their stars sit the final week? Collie is on my waiver wire, as is Santi and Gonzalez if he comes back. I'm wondering if they'll still air it out. I know they'll play their tails off to keep their record in tact.
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Kovax
Footballguy
Yeah, I want to know about wk 16. I can't tell if people are talking about wk 16 or wk 17. Will players be rested wk 16 is the question. Most leagues don't take into account week 17, AFAIK.
djcolts
Footballguy
I think the worst case scenario for Colts fantasy owners is for them to go 13-0, lose to Jax in week 15, and already have HFA clinched anyway. I don't care what the tea leaves from the Colts complex says - if they are 14-0 I think they'll play their healthy starters (meaning Manning, Wayne, Clark - and getting Gonzalez some work if he can play - but sitting Freeney). They did play their healthy starters in 2005 against the Chargers when they were 13-0 and they lost. Sitting a few banged up starters and sitting nearly everyone are two different things.
This is why about week 6 I traded Peyton straight up for Schaub. Has worked out pretty good.
djcolts
Footballguy
Based on my calculations - if the Colts win the next 2 games, they clinch HFA.
Here's why:
Cincy and SD play each other. If they tie - obviously 13-3 would clinch it for the Colts based on record. Assuming one of them wins:
Cincy goes 13-3, Colts goes 13-3 after beating the Titans and Broncos, and losing 3 straight:
Conference record - both 9 and 3.
Common opponents: Bengals beat the Ravens X2, Jets. Lost to the Broncos and Texans (3-2). Colts beat the Ravens, Broncos, Texans X2, lost to the Jets (4-1).
Colts win TB and HFA.
SD goes 13-3, Colts goes 13-3 after beating the Titans and Broncos, and losing 3 straight:
Conference record - both 9 and 3.
Common opponents: SD beat the Broncos, Miami and Tenn. Lost to the Broncos and Ravens (3-2). Colts beat the Ravens, Broncos, Titans X2 and Miami (5-0).
Colts win TB and HFA.
Also - if the Colts win 2 games, with one of them being a win vs. Denver, that will also do the trick.
Here's why:
Cincy and SD play each other. If they tie - obviously 13-3 would clinch it for the Colts based on record. Assuming one of them wins:
Cincy goes 13-3, Colts goes 13-3 after beating the Titans and Broncos, and losing 3 straight:
Conference record - both 9 and 3.
Common opponents: Bengals beat the Ravens X2, Jets. Lost to the Broncos and Texans (3-2). Colts beat the Ravens, Broncos, Texans X2, lost to the Jets (4-1).
Colts win TB and HFA.
SD goes 13-3, Colts goes 13-3 after beating the Titans and Broncos, and losing 3 straight:
Conference record - both 9 and 3.
Common opponents: SD beat the Broncos, Miami and Tenn. Lost to the Broncos and Ravens (3-2). Colts beat the Ravens, Broncos, Titans X2 and Miami (5-0).
Colts win TB and HFA.
Also - if the Colts win 2 games, with one of them being a win vs. Denver, that will also do the trick.
Yep, very possible weeks 15, 16, and 17 it will be very risky to start Manning or Wayne or Clark. Brown could be a good start though.
sparkky
Footballguy
FWIW:
(Rotoworld) Colts President Bill Polian confirmed that the Colts will rest players once home-field advantage for the playoffs is clinched.
Analysis: Polian cited a 1999 Week 17 game when the Colts lost LB Cornelius Bennett to a knee injury and proceeded to lose in the first round of the playoffs. Polian said that he doesn't believe in momentum and rust is a non-factor that can be addressed in practice. He stressed that going undefeated is not a priority whatsoever.
(Article Link)
(Rotoworld) Colts President Bill Polian confirmed that the Colts will rest players once home-field advantage for the playoffs is clinched.
Analysis: Polian cited a 1999 Week 17 game when the Colts lost LB Cornelius Bennett to a knee injury and proceeded to lose in the first round of the playoffs. Polian said that he doesn't believe in momentum and rust is a non-factor that can be addressed in practice. He stressed that going undefeated is not a priority whatsoever.
(Article Link)
trader jake
Footballguy
Polian should cite the numerous times his franchise benched players late in the season only to lose their very first playoff game, primarily because of rust the players accumulated by taking off the previous few weeks."Those who can not learn form history are doomed to repeat it."
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
In '04 they rested players and then beat the Broncos by 25.I think trying to draw causation from any correlation with a three game sample size is pretty tough to do. Even if the correlation was really strong, which it isn't.
djcolts
Footballguy
So, if the Colts win the next two games, and clinch on December 13th - that means the don't play their starters except some token play until January 16th or 17th. I just don't see how that makes any sense. I don't see how practice alone can keep a team sharp after that long of a layoff.
purestrength
Footballguy
For a guy who is usually pretty smart, Polian is sure boneheaded on this subject.Peyton needs to speak up soon (behind closed doors). If the Colts end up 14-0, he won't want to be sitting on the damn bench against the Jets and Bills.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Of course, can you imagine how Colts fans would feel if Manning got hurt? The Jets hit the QB all the time, and have lots of exotic blitz packages (not good for young offensive linemen). You can't predict injuries, but that doesn't mean everyone will second guess the team if Manning got hurt.
theplayer11
Footballguy
One guy in my league has Manning, Addai, Wayne, and Clark...no joke. He's in 3rd place, hope I play him week 16 or 17 in the play-offs.
purestrength
Footballguy
It seems the Colts' front office is determined to screw up again.
