With the Indianapolis Colts already guaranteed a spot in this year's playoffs, Peyton Manning's health was much more important than a perfect season. With the Colts leading by 5 points in the second half, head coach Jim Caldwell decided substituting for his star quarterback would be the best solution if they plan on punching their ticket to Superbowl XLIV. Backup QB Curtis Painter then took over for the former NFL MVP, giving up two costly turnovers, including an interception with 4:52 remaining in the game. The pick sealed the victory for the Jets and put an end to any possible hopes of a Colts comeback. Star wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight-end Dallas Clark were also substituted for.
In a game that meant virtually nothing to an Indianapolis Colts team (aside from a perfect record), meant everything in the world to the New York Jets. Hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive, Rex Ryan's Jets took advantage of the Colts' decision to sit their star players. The Jets' 29-15 victory prevented the Colts from becoming the first ever team in NFL history to go 19-0 in a season, if they were to in fact make it to and win the Superbowl. Instead, the Colts will be just another team if they do in up winning it all this year and will look back at this game, hoping they kept Manning in and won.
Although finishing the season with an undefeated record is something every team wouldn't mind accomplishing, given it's only happened once in NFL history, the prize everyone truly aims for is winning it all and holding up the Lombardi Trophy. & If Indianapolis plans on doing that for the second time this decade, keeping their future Hall of Fame Quarterback fresh and ready for the playoffs would be the smartest thing to do. Whether it was the best solution or not, critics have already begun to criticize coach Caldwell's decision. ESPN Around The Horn columnist Woody Paige made a good point after everyone begun to question the decision by saying the heat would have been ten times worse if Manning got injured had coach Caldwell chose to keep him in the game.
Either way you may look at it, I say injury protection is far more important than season perfection. One way this loss does however benefit the Colts, is the case for Peyton Manning's MVP candidacy. It's clear that even with a lead, the team can't win without him. & I don't know about you, but I'd be pretty pissed off if I was at this game, watching Peyton Manning get yanked off the field with the lead, only for some guy named Curtis Painter to come in and lay an egg.
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