Facing the New York Jets this afternoon, the 14-0 Indianapolis Colts gave up on perfection, pulling quarterback Peyton Manning and other starters with only a 15-10 lead in the 3rd quarter.
Disappointed fans at Lucas Oil Stadium booed. Others watching at home turned off their televisions. And players on the sideline did not look happy either.
With the front-runner for the NFL’s MVP award on the sideline, the Jets took advantage of rookie quarterback Curtis Painter and made some big plays on both sides of the field to score 19 unanswered points and finish up with a 29-15 victory (recap).
At 14-0, the Colts were only two wins away from a perfect regular season, with the potential to be the first team to win a super bowl 19-0.
The Colts’ hope is that resting starts and avoiding injuries could give them better odds in the playoffs. However, it hardly guarantees a win even in the first game of the playoffs. You could lose any game you play in the NFL–no matter who you play–so what do you have to lose? You are professionals. You are just five games away from perfection. You go for it!
It is pathetic that this team of professionals has disappointed so many thousands of fans today.
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Update (01/01/10):
ESPN Dallas reports.
The NFL will ask the competition committee to review integrity-of-game and competitive-balance concerns with clinching playoff teams that choose to rest starters at the end of the season.
